Cycles of covers (Q2391065)

The authors initially consider an example of Flynn and \textit{D. Redmond} [J. Number Theory 101, No. 2, 376--397 (2003; Zbl 1119.14026)], which gives an infinite family of curves to which Chabauty's method is not applicable, and which resist solution by one application of a certain bielliptic covering technique. In this paper the authors consider a more general family of curves of genus 2, defined over a number field \(K\), of the form \[ C: Y^2 = F_0(X)F_1(X)F_2(X), \] where \[ F_i(X) = a_iX^2+b_iX+c_i \;\;(i=1,2) \;\;F_0(X) = k_1F_1(X)+k_2F_2(X), \] with \(a_1,a_2\neq 0\) and such that \(F_)(X)F_1(X)F_2(X)\) has no repeated roots. Furthermore, \(F_1(X)\) and \(F_2(X)\) are defined over \(K\) or are conjugate over \(K\), and that \(F_0(X)\) is defined over \(K\) and is not constant. They prove that repeated application of bielliptic covers always results in a sequence of genus 2 curves which cycles after a finite number of repetitions. Moreover, an example which resists to repeated application of this method is given.