On holomorphic matrices on bordered Riemann surfaces

Abstract

Let $\D$ be the unit disk. Kutzschebauch and Studer \cite{KS} recently proved that, for each continuous map $A:\overline D\to \mathrm{SL}(2,\C)$, which is holomorphic in $\D$, there exist continuous maps $E,F:\overline \D\to \mathfrak{sl}(2,\C)$, which are holomorphic in $\D$, such that $A=e^Ee^F$. Also they asked if this extends to arbitrary compact bordered Riemann surfaces. We prove that this is possible.