Alexander I. Bobenko TU Berlin - Böcker

Since the time of surfaces -+ in differential Gauss, parametrized (x, y) P(x, y) have been described a frame attached to the moving geometry through TI(x, y) surface. One introduces the Gauss- which linear dif- Weingarten equations are , ferential equations = U = TIX T1, VT', !PY (1. for the and their condition frame, compatibility - = V + [U, V] 0, UY (1.2) which the Gauss-Codazzi For surfaces in three-dim- represents equations . a sional Euclidean the frame T1 lies in the usually or space, group SO(3) SU(2). On the other a of a non-linear in the form hand, representation equation (1.2) is the of the of of starting point theory integrable equations (theory solitons), which in mathematical in the 1960's appeared physics [NMPZ, AbS, CD, FT, More the differential for the coefficients of AbC]. exactly, partial equation (1.2) the matrices U and V is considered to be if these matrices can be integrable , extended to U V non-trivially a one-parameter family (x, y, A), (x, y, A) satisfying - = + U(A)y V(A). [U(A), V(A)] 0, (1-3) so that the differential is and original partial equation preserved.' .Usually U(A) V are rational functions of the which is called the (A) parameter A, spectral param- In soliton the eter is called the Lax . theory, representation (1.3) representation the Zakharov-Shabat or representation [ZS].

This volume offers a well-structured overview of existent computational approaches to Riemann surfaces and those currently in development. The authors of the contributions represent the groups providing publically available numerical codes in this field. Thus this volume illustrates which software tools are available and how they can be used in practice. In addition examples for solutions to partial differential equations and in surface theory are presented.The intended audience of this book is twofold. It can be used as a textbook for a graduate course in numerics of Riemann surfaces, in which case the standard undergraduate background, i.e., calculus and linear algebra, is required. In particular, no knowledge of the theory of Riemann surfaces is expected; the necessary background in this theory is contained in the Introduction chapter. At the same time, this book is also intended for specialists in geometry and mathematical physics applying the theory of Riemann surfaces in their research. It is the first book on numerics of Riemann surfaces that reflects the progress made in this field during the last decade, and it contains original results. There are a growing number of applications that involve the evaluation of concrete characteristics of models analytically described in terms of Riemann surfaces. Many problem settings and computations in this volume are motivated by such concrete applications in geometry and mathematical physics.