Real-normalized differentials with a single order $2$ pole

Abstract: A meromorphic differential on a Riemann surface is said to be {\it real-normalized} if all its periods are real. Real-normalized differentials on Riemann surfaces of given genus with prescribed orders of their poles form real orbifolds whose topology is closely related to that of moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces with marked points. Our goal is to develop tools to study this topology. We propose a combinatorial model for the real normalized differentials with a single order $2$ pole and use it to analyze the corresponding absolute period foliation.