Quadratic differentials of real algebraic curves (Q2247729)

A real algebraic curve \(L \subset {\mathbb R}^{2}\) of order \(n\) is the zero locus of a real polynomial \[u(x,y)=\sum_{l=0}^{n}\sum_{m=0}^{n-l} a_{l,m}x^{l}y^{m} \in {\mathbb R}[x,y],\] where some \(a_{l,n-l} \neq 0\). In [\textit{J. C. Langer} and \textit{D. A. Singer}, Milan J. Math. 75, 225--271 (2007; Zbl 1150.14005)] it was observed that there is a Riemann surface \({\mathcal R}\) admitting a quadratic meoromorphic form \(Q(z) dz^{2}\) such that \(L\) can be seen as a trajectory of it (that is, a maximal arc or closed curve along which \(Q(z) dz^{2}>0\)). The paper under review, the authors provide an elementary approach based on classical complex analysis. They start by observing that the equation \(u(x,y)=0\) can be written in the form (\(z=x+iy\) and \(\overline{z}=x-iy\)) \[\sum_{k=0}^{n} P_{k}(z) \overline{z}^{k}=0,\] where each \(P_{k}(z)\) is a suitable polynomial in the \(z\)-variable. Then they make the assumption that the polynomial \(P(z,w)=\sum_{k=0}^{n} P_{k}(z) w^{k}\) is irreducible. With this assumtion, the complex affine curve \(P(z,w)=0\) defines a Riemann surface (away from its singular points) \({\mathcal R}\) which is an \(n\)-branched covering of the Riemann sphere. Then they describe explicitly the meromorphic quadratic form \(Q(z) dz^{2}\). Finally, they workout the cases of non-degenerate conics, ellipses, hyperbolas and parabolas.