Open $r$-spin theory III: a prediction for higher genus

TL;DR

This paper extends the open $r$-spin theory to higher genus, providing evidence that the intersection numbers are governed by solutions to an extended Gelfand-Dickey hierarchy, advancing understanding of open intersection theory.

Contribution

It offers geometric and algebraic evidence supporting the conjecture that higher genus open $r$-spin intersection numbers are controlled by a specific integrable hierarchy extension.

Findings

Evidence supporting the hierarchy conjecture for higher genus open $r$-spin numbers.

Extension of genus-zero results to higher genus cases.

Validation of the proposed integrable hierarchy controlling open intersection numbers.

Abstract

In our previous two papers, we constructed an $r$-spin theory in genus zero for Riemann surfaces with boundary and fully determined the corresponding intersection numbers, providing an analogue of Witten's $r$-spin conjecture in genus zero in the open setting. In particular, we proved that the generating series of open $r$-spin intersection numbers is determined by the genus-zero part of a special solution of a certain extension of the Gelfand-Dickey hierarchy, and we conjectured that the whole solution controls the open $r$-spin intersection numbers in all genera, which do not yet have a geometric definition. In this paper, we provide geometric and algebraic evidence for the correctness of this conjecture.