Generalized \(\beta\)-transformations and the entropy of unimodal maps (Q1681633)

This paper considers the class of piecewise continuous interval maps known as generalized \(\beta\)-transformations. If the orbit of 1 is finite, then a generalized \(\beta\)-transformation is called post-critically finite (PCF) and \(\beta\) is called a generalized Parry number. For PCF unimodal maps, the author proves that all non-real-valued Galois conjugates of the \(\beta\)'s are contained inside a disk with radius strictly less than 2. This is done by extending a Structure Theorem of \textit{B. Solomyak} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 68, No. 3, 477--498 (1994; Zbl 0820.30007)]. The author also characterizes the closure of the set of Galois conjugates and proves that this set is path connected. His results give an upper bound for the topological entropy of a PCF unimodal map.