We give practical numerical methods to compute the period matrix of a plane
algebraic curve (not necessarily smooth). We show how automorphisms and
isomorphisms of such curves, as well as the decomposition of their Jacobians up to
isogeny, can be calculated heuristically. Particular applications include the
determination of (generically) non-Galois morphisms between curves and the
identification of Prym varieties.
Keywords
curves, Riemann surfaces, period matrices, automorphisms,
endomorphisms, isogeny factors