Range of analytic function

complex-analysisfunctional-analysis

Let $f:U \to \mathbb{C}$ be an analytic function, where $U$ is an open set containing the closed unit disc. Suppose that $|f(z)| \leq 1$, for all $|z|\leq 1$ and $f$ maps infinitely many points of $S^1$ to $S^1$. Can we characterize such functions? (Here $S^1$ means the unit circle).

Note that finite Blaschke products and unimodular multiple of monomials and the constant unimodular function are already in this class. Will there be more?

Thanks in advance.

Best Answer

Write $f=u+iv.$ Then $w(t) = u(e^{it})^2 + v(e^{it})^2$ is a real analytic function on $\mathbb R.$ We are given that $w(t)=1$ for infinitely many $t\in [0,2\pi].$ Thus $w=1$ on set with limit point in $[0,2\pi].$ By the identity principle for real analytic functions, $w\equiv 1.$ This implies $|f(e^{it})|\equiv 1.$ A well known exercise then shows $f=cB_1\cdots B_n,$ where $c$ is a constant of modulus $1,$ and the $B_k$ are Blaschke factors.