The Complex Analytic Theory of Teichmuller Spaces

An accessible, self-contained treatment of the complex structure of the Teichmüller moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces. Complex analysts, geometers, and especially string theorists (!) will find this work indispensable. The Teichmüller space, parametrizing all the various complex structures on a given surface, itself carries (in a completely natural way) the complex structure of a finite- or infinite-dimensional complex manifold. Nag emphasizes the Bers embedding of Teichmüller spaces and deals with various types of complex-analytic coördinates for them. This is the first book in which a complete exposition is given of the most basic fact that the Bers projection from Beltrami differentials onto Teichmüller space is a complex analytic submersion. The fundamental universal property enjoyed by Teichmüller space is given two proofs and the Bers complex boundary is examined to the point where totally degenerate Kleinian groups make their spectacular appearance. Contains much material previously unpublished.