Algebraic curves and integrable systems: Geodesics of quadrics (Q1342744)

Following the circle of ideas of Moser and Knörrer [cf. \textit{J. Moser}, `Geometry of quadrics and spectral theory', in The Chern Symposium, Springer, 147-188 (1980; Zbl 0455.58018) and \textit{H. Knörrer}, Invent. Math. 39, 119-143 (1980; Zbl 0431.53003)], the author shows how some methods of classical algebraic geometry can be used to study the topology of completely integrable systems. Starting from the classical problem of geodesics on a tri-axial ellipsoid -- solved by Jacobi and Weierstrass by means of hyperelliptic theta functions --, the author considers the following setup. Given \(n+1\) real numbers \(\alpha_1< \cdots< \alpha_{n+1}\), let \((Q_z )_{z\in \mathbb{R} \setminus \{\alpha_1, \dots, \alpha_{n+ 1}\}})\), be the family of confocal real quadrics in \(\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\) with equations \(\sum^{n+1}_{i=1} {{x^2_i} \over {\alpha_i- z}} =1\). Fix \((z)= (z_1, \dots, z_n)\in \mathbb{R}^n\) and denote by \({\mathcal T}_{(z)}\) the set of oriented affine lines in \(\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\), which are tangents to any of the quadrics \(Q_{z_1}, \dots, Q_{z_n}\) of the family. With the same meaning for \((z)\), consider the hyperelliptic curve \(C_{(z)}\) of genus \(n\), covering \(\mathbb{P}^1\) and ramified over \(\{- \infty, z_1, \dots, z_n, \alpha_1, \dots, \alpha_{n+1}\}\). The geometry of the curve \(C_{(z)}\) is strictly related to the properties of the set \({\mathcal T}_{(z)}\); in particular, the author proves the following results. Theorem. \({\mathcal T}_{(z)}\) is smooth if, and only if, \(C_{(z)}\) is smooth. Moreover, denoting by \(S_1, \dots, S_n\) the Weierstrass points of \(C\) lying over \(z_1, \dots, z_n\), one has Theorem. The complexification of \({\mathcal T}_{(z)}\) is isomorphic to an open subset of the abelian variety \(A= \text{Jac } C_{(z)}/ H\), where \(H\) is the subgroup, isomorphic to \((\mathbb{Z}/ 2)^{n-1}\), generated by the translations \(S_i- S_j\).