Does $\lim_{R \to \infty} \int_{C_{R}} e^{iz} \ dz = 0$?

1k Views Asked by At

Let $C_{R}$ be the upper half of the circle $|z|= R$.

Does $$ \lim_{R \to \infty} \int_{C_{R}} e^{iz} \ dz = 0 ?$$

I don't know if you can conclude from Jordan's lemma that it doesn't vanish. And the estimation lemma would appear to be inconclusive here.

But along the circle $|z|=R$, $ \displaystyle |e^{iz}| = e^{-R \sin t}$.

So as $R \to \infty$, the integrand decays exponentially.

Is that enough to conclude the integral vanishes?

And what about $ \displaystyle\lim_{R \to \infty} \int_{C_{R}} z e^{iz} \ dz$?

EDIT:

What's preventing both integrals from vanishing is the size of $|e^{iz}|$ near the endpoints of the contour.

If you were to integrate along only a portion of the contour that stays away from the endpoints, the estimation lemma would show that both integrals do vanish.

2

There are 2 best solutions below

1
On BEST ANSWER

Let $z=Re^{i\theta}$. After substitution:

$\displaystyle \int_{C_R} e^{iz} dz = \int_0^{\pi} e^{iRe^{i\theta}}iRe^{i\theta} d\theta$

$= \displaystyle -i\int_0^{\pi} e^{iRe^{i\theta}}(-Re^{i\theta}) d\theta = -ie^{iRe^{i\theta}}\Big|_0^{\pi} = -i[e^{-iR} - e^{iR}] = -2\sin(R)$

So as $R\to\infty$, the limit does not exist.

0
On

There's even no need for parametrization. Your $f$ has an antiderivative, $g(z)=-ie^{iz}$, valid on the whole plane. Hence $$ \int_{C_R} f(z)\,dz = g(-R)-g(R) = -2\sin R. $$