No label defined (Q4379993)

Given a monotonically increasing function \(g(u)\), the solution of the Cauchy problem \(x= g(u)\) for \(t=0\) for the Riemann wave equation \(u_t = 6u u_x\) can be reduced to the minimization of the function \(f_{x,t} (u) = G(u) -3t u^2 -xu\) for \(G' (u) = g(u)\). In this paper the author extends a function of the form \(f_{x,t}\) to a certain infinite-dimensional space in such a way that it has a unique minimum on this space. This infinite-dimensional space consists of all hyperelliptic Riemann surfaces of genera \(n \geq 0\) with real branch points \(u_1 < u_2 < \cdots < u_{2n+1}\), and of their degenerations. The minimum of the given function on this space determines the solution of the Cauchy problem for the Whitham system, which describes modulations of the parameters of fast oscillations arising in the solutions of the KdV equation. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0871.00030].