Topological regluing of rational functions (Q849248)

Given a function \(f\), one of the main goals from the dynamical point of view is to find an ``easy'' model dynamical system which completely describes the topological dynamics of \(f\) on its Julia set. For many complex polynomials, there are various such models, also for certain transcendental entire functions such models were recently constructed. In the article under review, the author develops a surgical method called topological regluing, which makes it possible to describe the dynamics of certain branched coverings on the Riemann sphere in much simpler terms. In particular, this method can be applied to certain rational maps with a \(k\)-periodic critical point. For a fixed \(k\), the set of all such hyperbolic maps splits into components called hyperbolic components that can be classified into types [\textit{M. Rees}, Invent. Math. 100, No. 2, 357--382 (1990; Zbl 0712.30022); \textit{J. Milnor}, Exp. Math. 2, No. 1, 37--83 (1993; Zbl 0922.58062)]. Assuming that \(k>1\), it is proved that every function, which lies on the boundary of a type C but not on the boundary of a type B hyperbolic component, can be obtained from a critically finite hyperbolic rational function by topological regluing of a countable set of disjoint simple curves. For such hyperbolic maps topological models exist, hence together with this result, one obtains a model of the topological dynamics for most functions on the boundaries of type C components. The article is very well written and structured and the concepts are introduced in a clear way, using many examples. For instance, in Section 5.1 it is described in detail how the Chebyshev polynomial \(z\mapsto z^2 - 2\) can be obtained from \(z\mapsto z^2 - 6\) using the regluing method.