Stoïlow's theorem revisited (Q2221481)

This paper gives a proof of the classical theorem of \textit{S. Stoïlow} [Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér. (3) 45, 347--382 (1928; JFM 54.0607.02)], which states that a continuous, open, and light map between two topological surfaces is a discrete map with a discrete branch set. Here, a map is open if the image of each open set is open; for a light map the preimage of each point is a totally disconnected set; for a discrete map, the preimage of each point is a discrete set; finally, the branch set of a map is the set of points where it fails to be a local homeomorphism. As a corollary, they prove Stoilow's factorization theorem: any continuous, open, and light map \(f\) between Riemann surfaces factors through a holomorphic map. In particular, \(f\) can be locally modelled by the map \(z\mapsto z^k\), where \(k\geq 1\) is the local degree of \(f\). The main ingredient of the proof is a technique of Floyd for path-lifting in the setting of compact metric spaces. In the planar setting, in which the authors are interested in, they prove that if \(f\) is a continuous, open, and light map between open sets, then any path that is contained in \(f(U)\) (where \(U\) is some normal domain, i.e., \(\partial f(U)=f(\partial U)\)) can be lifted to a path in \(U\). The paper is very well written, is self-contained, and the results are presented in a logical order that is easy to follow. The topological arguments can be quite involved but the amount of details and the figures facilitate the reading. The exposition is aimed at readers that are interested in discrete and open maps, such as quasiregular maps.