Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2015 / iii / Paper 70 / 2 / a

Use the Wirtinger derivative $q_z=(q_x-i{q}_y)/2$ and write $z=x+iy$. Since $q$ solves the Laplace equation, $q_z$ is a holomorphic function. The transforms in the question select solutions with sufficient decay at infinity. In this class the solution, when it exists, is unique; hence reflection of the symmetric data about $y=\ell /2$ givesFor $\gamma >0$, this uniqueness follows directly from Green's first identity: the homogeneous problem has integral $\int |\nabla q{|}^2+\gamma {\int }_{y=0,\ell }{q}^2=0$. For arbitrary real $\gamma$, the decaying-class qualifications are explained in part (c). Without a condition at infinity, symmetry of the data alone would not force symmetry of every solution.

Put $c=q(0,0)$, $f(x)=q(x,0)$, and introduce a known transformThe bottom Robin boundary condition gives $q_y=\gamma f$, while the top one gives $q_y=-\gamma f$. The bottom side is traversed from infinity to zero. Integration by parts therefore givesThe top side is traversed from $i\ell$ towards infinity, and its exponential supplies $e^{k\ell }$, givingOn the vertical side, $dz=idy$ and the prescribed Neumann boundary condition is $q_x=g$. ThusBoth the side orientations and the factor $1/2$ from the Wirtinger derivative are essential to these signs.