Topology and Geometry of the Berkovich Ramification Locus for Rational Functions
Abstract
Given a nonconstant holomorphic map f: X -> Y between compact Riemann surfaces, one of the first objects we learn to construct is its ramification divisor R_f, which describes the locus at which f fails to be locally injective. The divisor R_f is a finite formal linear combination of points of X that is combinatorially constrained by the Hurwitz formula. Now let k be an algebraically closed field that is complete with respect to a nontrivial non-Archimedean absolute value. For example, k = C_p. Here the role of a Riemann surface is played by a projective Berkovich analytic curve. As these curves have many points that are not algebraic over k, some new (non-algebraic) ramification behavior appears for maps between them. For example, the ramification locus is no longer a divisor, but rather a closed analytic subspace. This article initiates a detailed study of the ramification locus for self-maps f: P^1 -> P^1. This simplest first case has the benefit of being approachable by concrete (and often combinatorial) techniques.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1102.1432,
title = {Topology and Geometry of the Berkovich Ramification Locus for Rational Functions},
author = {Xander Faber},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1102.1432},
year = {2013}
}
Comments
To appear in Manuscripta Mathematica. New results on surplus multiplicities added to section 3.3; a number of equivalent characterizations of tame rational functions added to section 7; shortened section 8 on total ramification