Integral points in two-parameter orbits (Q499882)

This paper makes an interesting contribution to the arithmetic of dynamical systems. The dynamical system under consideration arises from the iterates \[ f^{\circ n} = \underbrace{f \circ f \circ \cdots \circ f }_{n\, \text{times}} \] of a non-constant rational function \(f : \mathbb P_1 \to \mathbb P_1\) of degree \(d \geq 2\). Here \(\mathbb P_1\) is the projective line over a number field \textit{J. H. Silverman} [Duke Math. J. 71, No. 3, 793--829 (1993; Zbl 0811.11052)] proved the following dynamical variant of Siegel's theorem on integral points: If \(f \circ f\) is not a polynomial and if \(u \in K\) is not preperiodic for \(f\), then the orbit \[ \{u, f (u), f \circ 2 (u), f \circ 3 (u), \cdots\} \] contains only finitely many points which are integral relative to the point at infinity. The paper under review offers a two-parameter analogue of Silverman's theorem, and it makes Silverman's theorem effective at the same time. Theorem. Let \(S\) be a finite set of primes of \(K\). Assume that \(f\) is not conjugate to a powering \(\text{map}\, x^{\pm d}\). Let \(u, w \in \mathbb P_1 (K)\) be points that are not preperiodic for \(f\). Then the set \(M\) of all\( (m, n) \in \mathbb N^2\) such that \(f^{\circ m} (u)\) is \(S\)-integral relative to \(f \circ n (w)\) is finite and effectively computable. In section 3, the authors establish the mere finiteness of \(M\), cleverly using a theorem of \textit{P. Vojta} [Diophantine approximations and value distribution theory. Lecture Notes in Mathematics, 1239. Berlin etc.: Springer-Verlag. (1987; Zbl 0609.14011)]. Sections 4 and 5 are then devoted to making the theorem effective. The ingenious proof uses a technique that originates from a classical theorem of Runge about integral solutions of polynomial equations in two variables, and from generalizations thereof. The paper ends with a discussion of the exceptional cases where f is conjugate to a powering map or where \(u\) or w is preperiodic. A brief last section is devoted to open problems.