Survey on real forms of the complex A2(2)-Toda equation and surface theory

The classical result of describing harmonic maps from surfaces into symmetric spaces of reductive Lie groups [9] states that the Maurer-Cartan form with an additional parameter, the so-called loop parameter, is integrable for all values of the loop parameter. As a matter of fact, the same result holds for k-symmetric spaces over reductive Lie groups, [8].In this survey we will show that to each of the five different types of real forms for a loop group of A2(2) there exists a surface class, for which some frame is integrable for all values of the loop parameter if and only if it belongs to one of the surface classes, that is, minimal Lagrangian surfaces in ℂℙ2, minimal Lagrangian surfaces in ℂℍ2, timelike minimal Lagrangian surfaces in ℂℍ12, proper definite affine spheres in ℝ3 and proper indefinite affine spheres in ℝ3, respectively.

Parabolic Higgs Bundles for Real Reductive Lie Groups

This chapter explains the correspondence between local systems on a punctured Riemann surface with the structure group being a real reductive Lie group G, and parabolic G-Higgs bundles. The chapter describes the objects involved in this correspondence, taking some time to motivate them by recalling the definitions of G-Higgs bundles without parabolic structure and of parabolic vector bundles. Finally, it explains the relevant polystability condition and the correspondence between local systems and Higgs bundles.