Adding a uniton via the DPW method

Abstract

In this paper we describe how the operation of adding a uniton arises via the DPW method of obtaining harmonic maps into compact Riemannian symmetric spaces out of certain holomorphic one forms. We exploit this point of view to investigate which unitons preserve finite type property of harmonic maps. In particular, we prove that the Gauss bundle of a harmonic map of finite type into a Grassmannian is also of finite type.