Finite-gap elliptic solutions of the KdV equation (Q1340203)

During the last twenty years, the algebro-geometric approach to nonlinear integrable equations has undergone an intensive development, including important applications in various branches of theoretical physics. In this context, the famous Korteweg-de Vries equation (KdV) \[ u_t = 6u u_x - u_{xxx} \] for a function \(u = u(x,t)\) is one of the most ubiquitous and best understood objects of study. However, there are still many unsolved problems concerning the analysis and the algebraic geometry of the KdV equation, for example the following one: What are the possible solutions of the KdV equation that can be constructed, via the well-known Matveev-Its formula, in terms of elliptic functions and theta functions associated with Riemann surfaces of small genus \(g\)? One of the most successful methods to attack this problem has been developed by the author over the recent ten years. It is based on special constructions of Riemann surfaces adjusted to the classes of solutions of the KdV equation one is looking for, and on applying the reduction theorems for theta functions with respect to certain coverings of these Riemann surfaces. The present article provides a comprehensive and rather detailed survey on the author's method, together with a discussion of related results by \textit{E. D. Belokolos}, \textit{V. Z. Enol'skij}, \textit{A. R. Its}, \textit{V. B. Matveev} and \textit{A. I. Bobenko} [Algebro-geometric approach to nonlinear integrable equations (1994; Zbl 0809.35001)], on one hand, and by \textit{A. Treibich} and \textit{J.-L. Verdier} [Solutions elliptiques (1990; Zbl 0726.14024)], on the other hand. Some recent results of the author, not yet published so far, as well as many clarifying remarks and instructive examples make this paper particularly systematic and up-to-date. As the author points out in the introduction, an extended version of this paper with full proofs and more examples is planned for the near future.