Weak Triangle Inequality for the Lempert function

Abstract

9 pagesThe (unbounded version of the) Lempert function $l_D$ on a domain $D\subset \mathbb C^d$ does not usually satisfy the triangle inequality, but on bounded $\mathcal C^2$-smooth strictly pseudoconvex domains, it satisfies a weaker version, with $l_D(a,c)\le C( l_D(a,b)+l_D(b,c))$. We show that pseudoconvexity is necessary for this property as soon as $D$ has a $\mathcal C^1$-smooth boundary. We also give some estimates in some domains which are model for local situations