Covariant un-reduction for curve matching

The process of un-reduction, a sort of reversal of reduction by the Lie group symmetries of a variational problem, is explored in the setting of field theories. This process is applied to the problem of curve matching in the plane, when the curves depend on more than one independent variable. This situation occurs in a variety of instances such as matching of surfaces or comparison of evolution between species. A discussion of the appropriate Lagrangian involved in the variational principle is given, as well as some initial numerical investigations.