Maximal \(\mathsf{Sp}(4,\mathbb R)\) surface group representations, minimal immersions and cyclic surfaces (Q2634857)

The author starts by recalling some basic definitions and tools of the theory of Higgs bundles and harmonic maps. Let \(S\) be a closed surface of genus at least \(2\). The aim of this paper is to prove that for each maximal representation \(\rho:\pi_1(S)\longrightarrow\mathrm{Sp}(4,\mathbb{R})\) in one of the \(2g-3\) exceptional connected components, there is a unique conformal structure on the surface in which the corresponding equivariant harmonic map to the symmetric space \(\mathrm{Sp}(4,\mathbb{R})/\mathrm{U}(2)\) is a minimal immersion. Using a Higgs bundle parameterization of these components, the author gives a mapping class group invariant parameterization of such components as fiber bundles over Teichmüller space. Unlike Labourie's recent results on Hitchin components, these bundles are not vector bundles.