Generating functions of bipartite maps on orientable surfaces (Q311545)

Summary: We compute, for each genus \(g\geqslant 0\), the generating function \(L_g\equiv L_g(t;p_1,p_2,\dots)\) of (labelled) bipartite maps on the orientable surface of genus \(g\), with control on all face degrees. We exhibit an explicit change of variables such that for each \(g\), \(L_g\) is a rational function in the new variables, computable by an explicit recursion on the genus. The same holds for the generating function \(F_g\) of rooted bipartite maps. The form of the result is strikingly similar to the Goulden/Jackson/Vakil [\textit{I. P. Goulden} et al., Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 83, No. 3, 563--581 (2001; Zbl 1074.14520)] and Goulden/Guay-Paquet/Novak [\textit{I. P. Goulden} et al., Adv. Math. 238, 1--23 (2013; Zbl 1285.05008)] formulas for the generating functions of classical and monotone Hurwitz numbers respectively, which suggests stronger links between these models. Our result complements recent results of \textit{M. Kazarian} and \textit{P. Zograf} [Lett. Math. Phys. 105, No. 8, 1057--1084 (2015; Zbl 1332.37051)], who studied the case where the number of faces is bounded, in the equivalent formalism of dessins d'enfants. Our proofs borrow some ideas from Eynard's ``topological recursion'' that he applied in particular to even-faced maps (unconventionally called ``bipartite maps'' in his work). However, the present paper requires no previous knowledge of this topic and comes with elementary (complex-analysis-free) proofs written in the perspective of formal power series.