The 1+1-dimensional Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation and its universality class

We explain the exact solution of the 1 + 1-dimensional Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation with sharp wedge initial conditions. Thereby it is confirmed that the continuum model belongs to the KPZ universality class, not only as regards scaling exponents but also as regards the full probability distribution of the height in the long time limit.