Periodic polynomial of trace maps. (Q2384457)

Let \(\sigma\) be an endomorphism of the free group on two generators and \(\Phi_\sigma\) the trace map associated with \(\sigma\). A polynomial \(P\) is said to be periodic for \(\sigma\) if, for some positive integer \(n\), it is invariant under \(\Phi_\sigma^n\), i.e., \(P\circ\Phi_\sigma=P\). In this note we study the structure of the ring of periodic polynomials for \(\sigma\).