Semigroup representations in holomorphic dynamics (Q1948748)

This paper is devoted to a few questions concerning the algebraic structure of the semigroups (under composition) of polynomials, rational maps and meromorphic maps in one complex variable, or more generally of holomorphic correspondences on a Riemann surface. Using a theorem due to \textit{J. F. Ritt} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 23, 51--66 (1922; JFM 48.0079.01)] the authors prove the existence of multiplicative characters on the semigroup of polynomials which are not obtained as a multiplicative function of the degree. Then they describe the (algebraic) automorphism groups of the semigroups of polynomials, rational maps and meromorphic maps, in terms of the group of algebraic automorphisms of \(\mathbb{C}\), of the group of affine transformations of \(\mathbb{C}\), and of \(\mathrm{PSL}(2,\mathbb{C})\). Finally, they study homomorphisms between semigroups of (holomorphic) correspondences, and characterize the automorphism groups of holomorphic (respectively, finite holomorphic) correspondences of the complex plane (respectively, the Riemann sphere).