Bounded hyperbolic components of quadratic rational maps (Q4494993)

It is well known that the study even of hyperbolic components in the parameter space of degree-2 rational maps presents one with considerable difficulties not encountered in the polynomial case. One of these problems addressed in the paper is whether such components are pre-compact. It is shown that this is indeed the case if the critical points are attracted to distinct attracting periodic orbits, both of which have period greater than 1. The method of proof deserves attention as it is largely original, in particular independent of Thurston's classification of branched coverings or analogies with Kleinian groups. The main tools are the holomorphic index for fixed points and a construction of limiting dynamics.