In this paper we solve an arbitrary matrix Riemann-Hilbert (inverse monodromy) problem with quasi-permutation monodromy representations outside of a divisor in the space of monodromy data. This divisor is characterized in terms of the theta-divisor on the Jacobi manifold of an auxiliary compact Riemann surface realized as an appropriate branched covering of $\CP1$ . The solution is given in terms of a generalization of Szegö kernel on the Riemann surface. In particular, our construction provides a new class of solutions of the Schlesinger system. The isomonodromy tau-function of these solutions is computed up to a nowhere vanishing factor independent of the elements of monodromy matrices.
We study the sixth $q$-difference Painlevé equation ($q{\textrm{P}_{\textrm{VI}}}$) through its associated Riemann-Hilbert problem (RHP) and show that the RHP is always solvable for irreducible monodromy data. This enables us to identify the solution space of $q{\textrm{P}_{\textrm{VI}}}$ with a monodromy manifold for generic parameter values. We deduce this manifold explicitly and show it is a smooth and affine algebraic surface when it does not contain reducible monodromy. Furthermore, we describe the RHP for reducible monodromy data and show that, when solvable, its solution is given explic…
We consider the Riemann-Hilbert factorization approach to solving the field equations of dimensionally reduced gravity theories. First we prove that functions belonging to a certain class possess a canonical factorization due to properties of the underlying spectral curve. Then we use this result, together with appropriate matricial decompositions, to study the canonical factorization of non-meromorphic monodromy matrices that describe deformations of seed monodromy matrices associated with known solutions. This results in new solutions, with unusual features, to the field equations.
A Riemann-Hilbert problem for a $q$-difference Painlevé equation, known as $q\textrm{P}_{\textrm{IV}}$, is shown to be solvable. This yields a bijective correspondence between the transcendental solutions of $q\textrm{P}_{\textrm{IV}}$ and corresponding data on an associated $q$-monodromy surface. We also construct the moduli space of $q\textrm{P}_{\textrm{IV}}$ explicitly.
We describe the close connection between the linear system for the sixth Painlevé equation and the general Heun equation, formulate the Riemann-Hilbert problem for the Heun functions and show how, in the case of reducible monodromy, the Riemann-Hilbert formalism can be used to construct explicit polynomial solutions of the Heun equation.
We study the symplectic properties of the monodromy map of second order equations on a Riemann surface whose potential is meromorphic with double poles. We show that the Poisson bracket defined in terms of periods of meromorphic quadratic differential implies the Goldman Poisson structure on the monodromy manifoldThese results are applied to the WKB analysis of the equation. It is shown that the leading term in the WKB expansion of the generating function of the monodromy symplectomorphism (the "Yang-Yang function" of Nekrasov, Rosly and Shatashvili) is determined by the Bergman tau-function o…
The relationship of two dimensional quantum field theory and isomonodromic deformations of Fuchsian systems has a long history. Recently four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ gauge theories joined the party in a multitude of roles. In this paper we study the vacuum expectation values of intersecting half-BPS surface defects in $SU(2)$ theory with $N_f=4$ fundamental hypermultiplets. We show they form a horizontal section of a Fuchsian system on a sphere with $5$ regular singularities, calculate the monodromy, and define the associated isomonodromic tau-function. Using the blowup formula in the pres…
We consider the Riemann-Hilbert factorization approach to the construction of Weyl metrics in four space-time dimensions. We present, for the first time, a rigorous proof of the remarkable fact that the canonical Wiener-Hopf factorization of a matrix obtained from a general (possibly unbounded) monodromy matrix, with respect to an appropriately chosen contour, yields a solution to the non-linear gravitational field equations. This holds regardless of whether the dimensionally reduced metric in two dimensions has Minkowski or Euclidean signature. We show moreover that, by taking advantage of a …