Lectures on Higgs moduli and abelianisation (Q2360603)

The paper aims at giving an idea of the developments triggered by two of \textit{N. J. Hitchin}'s papers [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 55, 59--126 (1987; Zbl 0634.53045); Duke Math. J. 54, 91--114 (1987; Zbl 0627.14024)]; it is meant for readers with some familiarity with the field. Relation to physics is very briefly mentioned (\S 8.5 and introduction), with references. After describing spectral covers arising from families of matrices the paper proceeds ``with considering basic properties of Higgs bundles, spectral and cameral curves.'' The paper then continues with a potpourri of specialized topics: ``Principal \(\mathfrak{sl}(2,{\mathbf C})\)-subalgebras, the Kostant and Hitchin sections, special Kähler geometry, the Donagi-Markman cubic and the \(G-2\) Hitchin systems.''