A transformation principle for covers of \(\mathbb P^1\) (Q2717080)

N. Katz discovered a remarkable functor (``middle convolution functor'') on the category of perverse sheafs (here, local systems on the punctured affine line) [see \textit{N. Katz}, ``Rigid local systems'', Ann. Math. Stud. 139 (1996; Zbl 0864.14013)]. In general, this functor changes the dimension of the corresponding representation of the fundamental group but preserves important invariants, like self-duality, irreducibility, rigidity etc. There exist two constructions of functors on the category of representations of the free group, which have similar properties as Katz' functor [see \textit{M. Dettweiler} and \textit{S. Reiter}, J. Symb. Comput. 30, No. 6, 761-798 (2000; Zbl 1049.12005) and \textit{H. Völklein}, Geom. Dedicata 84, No. 1-3, 135-150 (2001; Zbl 0990.20021)]. The construction of Völklein's functor (called the ``braid companion (BC) operation'') uses representations of braid groups, generalizing previous work of the author [\textit{H. Völklein}, Math. Ann. 293, No. 1, 163-176 (1992; Zbl 0737.11031)]). NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEIn the paper under review, the author uses the BC operation in order to construct an operation between Galois covers of the Riemann sphere. This is carried out in sections 1-2. It is proved that this operation preserves the field of moduli of a cover if some mild conditions are satisfied (theorem 4.4, corollary 4.6). Essential ingredient is the close relation of Völklein's approach to the theory of Hurwitz spaces. This yields new Galois realizations of some symplectic groups \(\text{PSp}_m(p^2)\) [see \textit{M. Dettweiler} and \textit{S. Reiter} (loc. cit.) for other Galois realizations, using their construction of the Katz functor analogue].