Branched polynomial covering maps (Q1862073)

A Weierstrass polynomial \(P(x,z):X\times {\mathcal C}\to {\mathcal C}\) of degree \(n \geq 1\) over \(X\) is a continuous family of monic, complex polynomials of degree \(n\) of the form \(z^n +{\sum_{i=1}^n a_i(x)z^{n-i}}\), where the \(a_i:X\to {\mathcal C}\) are continuous functions. Consider the set \(E=\{ (x,y) \in X\times {\mathcal C}\mid P(x,z)=0\}\) for a given Weierstrass polynomial \(P(x,z)\). Let \(\pi : E\to X\) be the projection map. Then the surjective map \(\pi\) is called an \(n\)-fold branched (polynomial) covering map with branch set \(D\subset E\) generated by the polynomials in \(P(x,z)\) which have multiple roots. For more details on polynomial covering maps see the book by the author [Braids and coverings -- selected topics (1989; Zbl 0692.57001)]. In this article the author shows that many finite covering maps arising in topology are polynomial covering maps. In particular, branched polynomial coverings arising from Riemann surfaces and from knots in the 3-sphere are discussed.