The Riemann-Hurwitz relation, parallel slit covering map, and continuation of an open Riemann surface of finite genus (Q1059739)

Let R be a Riemann surface of finite genus with infinitely many ideal boundary components, and let f be a single-valued meromorphic function on R which gives an extremal vertical slit mapping. The function f defines a finite-sheeted covering surface f(R) over the extended complex plane. The author mainly proves the following important result which gives an affirmative answer to the reviewer's conjecture [Jap. J. Math. 37, 1-58 (1968; Zbl 0172.372)]. There exists a compact Riemann surface \(\tilde R\) over the extended complex plane such that f(R)\(\subset \tilde R\), and all ideal boundary components of f(R) are realized as vertical slits on \(\tilde R.\) The proof is based on the extended Riemann-Hurwitz relation and the method of welding along ideal boundary components of f(R).