On the fixed points of the map \(x \mapsto x^x\) modulo a prime (Q2346000)

For a prime \(p\), the authors consider the properties of the map \(\psi_p : x\mapsto x^x \pmod p\). They show that for almost all primes \(p\) there is an integer solution \(x\in [2, p-1]\) to the congruence \(x^x\equiv x \pmod p\). The solutions can be viewed as fixed points of the map \(\psi_p\), and they study numerically and discuss some unexpected properties of the dynamical system associated with this map. Note that the map appears in some cryptographic protocols. So it certainly deserves more attention.