On the generalized Riemann--Hilbert problem with irregular singularities (Q2507654)

The classical Riemann-Hilbert problem (RHP, or Hilbert's 21st problem) asks whether for a given monodromy representation there exists a Fuchsian system (i.e., with logarithmic poles) of linear differential equations on Riemann's sphere, with prescribed poles and with the given monodromy. The authors consider the generalization of the RHP in the case when irregular singularities are allowed. In this case, the generalized monodromy data are the monodromy, the Stokes matrices and the true Poincaré rank at each singular point. The authors give sufficient conditions for the existence of linear systems with such data. These conditions are fulfilled (as in the classical RHP) when the monodromy is irreducible. The authors solve the generalized RHP almost completely in dimensions 2 and 3. As an application to differential Galois theory, they give sufficient conditions for a given linear algebraic group to be the differential Galois group over \({\mathbb C}(z)\) of a differential system with smallest possible number of singularities, which are all Fuchsian except one at which the Poincaré rank is minimal.