Contour Integrals Revisited

Contour integrals are integrals of complex functions f(z), i.e. of the complex variable z = x + iy. Such integrals are defined in terms of the values of f(z) along a given contour C extending from a point z = z1 to a point,  say, z = z2 in the complex plane.  It is therefore a line integral. This can be written as:

ò_C  f(z) dz

It may alternatively be written with limits, say from z1 to z2, usually when the value of the integral is independent of the choice of contour taken between the two end points.

Illustration: Suppose that the equation:  z = z(t)  such that (a <  t  < b)  represents a contour C extending from some point z1 = z(a) to a point z2 = z(b). let the function f(z) be piecewise continuous on C. That is, f(z(t))  is piecewise continuous on the interval a <  t  < b. We define the line integral or contour integral of f along C as:

ò f(z) dz   =  ò _a ^b  f[z(t)] z’(t) dz 

Since C is a contour then z’(t), i.e. dz/dt is piecewise continuous on the interval  a <  t  < b so the existence of the integral is assured.

Example (1)

This is by reference to the contour shown on  left side below:

Here C is the right hand half of the circle  êz ê  = 3.8 from z = -3.8i to z = 3.8i. Hence we want to find the integral of:

I = ò _C  z z* dz

For which z = 3.8 exp (i q)  (- p/2 <   q  <  p/2)

Then:    I=  ò _p/2 ^-p/2  (3.8 exp(i q)) (3.8 exp(- i q))  dq 

=  14.44i   ò _p/2 ^-p/2   dq

= 14.44 (p/2  - (-p/2)) = 14.44i   (p)  =  14.44 pi

Note that for such a point z on the circle êz ê  = 3.8, it follows that zz* = 14.44 or z* = 14.44/z. So that the result  14.44 pi can also be written: I = ò _C  dz/ z =  pi

Example(2):

The reference contour is shown in the graphic to the right in preceding diagram, along the path OAB. So  the integral can be solved as follows:

ò _C  f(z) dz  =   ò _OA  f(z) dz  +    ò _AB  f(z) dz  

Where f(z) =  y – x   -i3x²   (z = x + iy)

The segment OA can be represented parametrically as:  

z = 0 + iy (0 < y < 1)

Since x = 0 at all points on that segment the values of f there vary with the parameter y according to the equation: f(z) = y(0 < y < 1)

Therefore:

ò _OA  f(z) dz   =     ò ₀ ¹   y idy = i ò ₀ ¹   y dy = i/2

Meanwhile, on the segment AB, z = x + i(0 < x < 1) so that:

ò _AB  f(z) dz   =    =     ò ₀ ¹   (1 – x –i3x²) 1 dx =

ò ₀ ¹   (1 – x)dx  –  3i ò ₀ ¹    x²dx = ½ - i

Based on the original contour definition  (adding the integrals for the segments OA and AB):

ò _C1  f(z) dz  =   1 – i/2

If C2 denotes the segment OB of the line y = x then we have:

 z = x + ix (0 < x < 1)

And we can write:

ò _C2  f(z) dz  =    ò ₀ ¹   -i3x²( 1 +i) dx =

 3(1-i)  ò ₀ ¹    x²dx = 1 – i
  

We can see from this that the integrals of  f(z) have different values though the two paths C1 and C2 have the same initial and starting points. It follows from this that the integral of f(z) over the simple closed contour OABO or C1 – C2 is:

ò _C1  f(z) dz   - ò _C2  f(z) dz    = [½ - i] – (1 – i ) =    -1 +i / 2

Problem For Math Mavens:

Redo Example (1) except change the limits of the contour to have z = -2i to z = 2i.