No label defined (Q4353512)

This paper is concerned with a counting problem in algebraic dynamics. Given an integral domain \(R\), the authors consider the \(N\)-periodic sequences in \(R\), which can be realized as periodic orbits of polynomials over \(R\) (to count such polynomial cycles, one first identifies those that differ by a scaling factor). The authors prove -- under certain technical conditions -- that the number of these cycles is finite for every \(N>1\). Moreover, if \(R\) is finitely generated and has zero characteristic, then the total number of cycles is finite. These results are then connected to the properties of dynamical units, a special class of units in \(R\) generated by the normalized difference between the points in a cycle. The authors seem unaware of the work of M. E. Zieve on polynomial cycles. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0868.00042].