Conformal mappings and dispersionless Toda hierarchy (Q1048147)

The paper consider the space \(D\) of the pairs \((f,g)\) where \(f\) is univalent inside the unit disk, \(f(0)=0\) and \(g\) is univalent outside the unit disk, \(g(\infty)=\infty\), \(f'(0)g'(\infty)=1\). A set of local complex coordinates on \(D\) are defined, called ``time variables'', \(t_n\in C\), \(n\in Z\), such that the evolutions of the pairs \((f,g)\) are described by dispersionless Toda hierarchy flows. Next, \(D\) is restricted to \(\Sigma\) - the subspace of the pairs satisfying \(f(w)\overline{g(1/\bar{w})}=1\); this appears to be the set of integrable hierarchy of conformal mappings introduced by Wiegmann and Zabrodin. The paper discusses first some needed facts on univalent functions such as Grunsky coefficients and Faber polynomials, dispersionless Toda hierarchy. The connection with the Wiegmann-Zabrodin results is analyzed, then it is considered the restriction of the integrable hierarchy to conformal mappings such that \(f(S^1)=g(S^1)\), \(S^1\) being the unit circle. The paper ends with the corresponding problem for Riemann mappings.