Geometry and arithmetic of verbal dynamical systems on simple groups (with an appendix by Nathan Jones) (Q531902)

Summary: We study dynamical systems arising from word maps on simple groups. We develop a geometric method based on the classical trace map for investigating periodic points of such systems. These results lead to a new approach to the search of Engel-like sequences of words in two variables which characterize finite solvable groups. They also give rise to some new phenomena and concepts in the arithmetic of dynamical systems.