Maximal and linearly inextensible polynomials

Abstract

Let $S(n,0)$ be the set of monic complex polynomials of degree $n\ge 2$ having all their zeros in the closed unit disk and vanishing at 0. For $p\in S(n,0)$ denote by $|p|_{0}$ the distance from the origin to the zero set of $p'$. We determine all $0$-maximal polynomials of degree $n$, that is, all polynomials $p\in S(n,0)$ such that $|p|_{0}\ge |q|_{0}$ for any $q\in S(n,0)$. Using a second order variational method we then show that although some of these polynomials are linearly inextensible, they are not locally maximal for Sendov's conjecture.