Ernst equation, Fay identities and variational formulas on hyperelliptic curves (Q1599943)

The finite-gap integration method of integrable systems developed by D.~Korotkin allows to solve the Ernst equation \[ ({\mathcal E}+\overline{\mathcal E})({\mathcal E}_{\zeta\zeta}+\frac{1}{\rho}{\mathcal E}_\rho +{\mathcal E}_{\rho\rho})=2({\mathcal E}_\zeta^2+{\mathcal E}_\rho^2) \] in terms of theta-functions for a complex-valued Ernst potential \(\mathcal E\) depending on two coordinates \((\zeta,\rho)\). The Ernst equation is equivalent to the stationary axially symmetric vacuum Einstein equation. In this paper the authors present a unified approach to theta-functional solutions \({\mathcal E}=\Theta_{pq} ( \int_\xi^{\infty^+}/\Theta_{pq} (\int_\xi^{\infty^-}),\) where the theta-function corresponds to the hyperelliptic spectral curve \(\mathcal L\): \(\mu^2 = (\lambda-\xi)(\lambda-\overline\xi)\prod_{k=1}^g(\lambda-E_k)(\lambda-F_k)\), where \(\xi =\zeta + i\rho\), for each \(k\) either \(E_k =\overline F_k\) or \(E_k,F_k\in\mathbb R\), and \(\infty^\pm\) are the infinite points on different sheets of \(\mathcal L\). Formulas for the metric functions, the Ernst potential and their derivatives are given explicitly in terms of theta functions, by using only the trisecant Fay identity, its appropriate degenerations and Rauch's variational formulas which describe the dependence of the holomorphic differentials on the moduli of the Riemann surface. This explicit form is free of derivatives of the metric.