Harmonic maps between annuli on Riemann surfaces

Let ρ _Σ = h(|z|²) be a metric in a Riemann surface Σ, where h is a positive real function. Let H _{r 1} = {w = f(z)} be the family of a univalent ρ _Σ harmonic mapping of the Euclidean annulus A(r ₁, 1):= {z: r ₁ < |z| < 1} onto a proper annulus A _Σ of the Riemann surface Σ, which is subject to some geometric restrictions. It is shown that if A _Σ is fixed, then sup{r ₁: ℋ _{r 1} ≠ ∅} < 1. This generalizes similar results from the Euclidean case. The cases of Riemann and of hyperbolic harmonic mappings are treated in detail. Using the fact that the Gauss map of a surface with constant mean curvature (CMC) is a Riemann harmonic mapping, an application to the CMC surfaces is given (see Corollary 3.2). In addition, some new examples of hyperbolic and Riemann radial harmonic diffeomorphisms are given, which have inspired some new J. C. C. Nitsche-type conjectures for the class of these mappings.