Slice regular functions as covering maps and global \(\star\)-roots (Q2141389)

The present work aims at studying slice regular functions of a quaternionic variable as covering maps and the existence and nature of global \(k\)-th \(\star\)-roots of slice functions. There are several steps done to reach the result. The authors introduce the formalism of stem functions and of slice preserving functions and their relations with the \(\star\)-product. They further show that, under suitable natural hypotheses, a slice regular function that is also a finite map is a covering map. Section 5 contains the main outcomes of this paper. On the basis of the results of the previous section, they are able to prove that, under suitable natural hypotheses, any slice regular function defined on a domain without real points admits \(k^2\) \(k\)-th \(\star\)-roots.