A shortcut to the Kovalevskaya curve

Abstract: We present a systematic way of derivation of the algebraic curves of separation of variables for the classical Kovalevskaya top and its generalizations, starting from the spectral curve of the corresponding Lax representation found by Reyman and Semonov-Tian-Shansky. In particular, we show how the known Kovalevskaya curve of separation can be obtained, by a simple one-step transformation, from the spectral curve. The algorithm works for the general constants of motion of the system and is based on W. Barth's description of Prym varieties via pencils of genus 3 curves. It also allows us to derive new curves of separation of variables in various generalizations of this system.