A classification of degree $2$ semi-stable rational maps $\mathbb{P}^2\to\mathbb{P}^2$ with large finite dynamical automorphism group

Abstract

Let $K$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $0$. In this paper we classify the $\text{PGL}_3(K)$-conjugacy classes of semi-stable dominant degree $2$ rational maps $f:{\mathbb P}^2_K\dashrightarrow{\mathbb P}^2_K$ whose automorphism group $$\text{Aut}(f):=\{\phi\in\text{PGL}_3(K): \phi^{-1}\circ f\circ\phi=f\}$$ is finite and of order at least $3$. In particular, we prove that $\#\text{Aut}(f)\le24$ in general, that $\#\text{Aut}(f)\le21$ for morphisms, and that $\#\text{Aut}(f)\le6$ for all but finitely many conjugacy classes of $f$.