Fixed points of \(n\)-valued maps on surfaces and the Wecken property -- a configuration space approach (Q1701244)

In this paper the authors explore the fixed point theory of continuous \(n\)-valued functions (named \(n\)-valued maps) using configuration spaces and braid groups, focusing on two fundamental problems: the Wecken property and the computation of the Nielsen number. They show that the projective plane and the \(2\)-sphere \(\mathbb{S}^2\) have the Wecken property for \(n\)-valued maps for all \(n\in \mathbb{N}\) and \(n\geq 3\), respectively. The case \(n=1\) and \(\mathbb{S}^2\) is well known and the case \(n=2\) and \(\mathbb{S}^2\) remains open, although the authors provide some partial results. Finally, they describe the Nielsen number of a non-split \(2\)-valued map of an orientable, compact manifold without boundary.