Integrability of Hurwitz Partition Functions. I. Summary

Abstract

Partition functions often become τ-functions of integrable hierarchies, if they are considered dependent on infinite sets of parameters called time variables. The Hurwitz partition functions Z = \sum_R d_R^{2-k}χ_R(t^{(1)})...χ_R(t^{(k)})\exp(\sum_n ξ_nC_R(n)) depend on two types of such time variables, t and ξ. KP/Toda integrability in t requires that k\leq 2 and also that C_R(n) are selected in a rather special way, in particular the naive cut-and-join operators are not allowed for n>2. Integrability in ξfurther restricts the choice of C_R(n), forbidding, for example, the free cumulants. It also requires that k\leq 1. The quasiclassical integrability (the WDVV equations) is naturally present in ξvariables, but also requires a careful definition of the generating function.

10 pages