arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Curtis T. McMullen.
We show the map $σ: T_g \to C_g$ sending a compact hyperbolic surface $X$ to a random simple closed geodesic on $X$ determines a proper embedding of Teichmüller space into the space of geodesic currents. The proof depends on a formula for the intersection number $i(C,C')$ of a pair of multicurves, expressed in terms of Dehn coordinates on $ML_g(\mathbb{Z})$.
Let $M$ be a convex cocompact acylindrical hyperbolic 3-manifold of infinite volume, and let $M^*$ denote the interior of the convex core of $M$. In this paper we show that any geodesic plane in $M^*$ is either closed or dense. We also show that only countably many planes are closed. These are the first rigidity theorems for planes in convex cocompact 3-manifolds of infinite volume that depend only on the topology of M.
The postcritical set $P(f)$ of a rational map $f:\mathbb P^1\to \mathbb P^1$ is the smallest forward invariant subset of $\mathbb P^1$ that contains the critical values of $f$. In this paper we show that every finite set $X\subset \mathbb P^1(\overline{\mathbb Q})$ can be realized as the postcritical set of a rational map. We also show that every map $F:X\to X$ defined on a finite set $X\subset \mathbb P^1(\mathbb C)$ can be realized by a rational map $f:P(f)\to P(f)$, provided we allow small perturbations of the set $X$. The proofs involve Belyi's theorem and iteration on Teichmüller space.
Every closed hyperbolic geodesic $γ$ on the triply--punctured sphere $M =\widehat{\mathbb C} - \{0,1,\infty\}$ has a self--intersection number $I(γ) \ge 1$ and a combinatorial length $L(γ) \ge 2$, the latter defined by the number of times $γ$ passes through the upper halfplane. In this paper we show that $δ(γ) = I(γ) - L(γ) \ge -1$ for all closed geodesics; and that for each fixed $δ$, the number of geodesics with invariants $(δ,L)$ is given exactly by a quadratic polynomial $p_δ(L)$ for all $L \ge 4 + δ$.
The basin of infinity of a polynomial map $f : {\bf C} \arrow {\bf C}$ carries a natural foliation and a flat metric with singularities, making it into a metrized Riemann surface $X(f)$. As $f$ diverges in the moduli space of polynomials, the surface $X(f)$ collapses along its foliation to yield a metrized simplicial tree $(T,η)$, with limiting dynamics $F : T \arrow T$. In this paper we characterize the trees that arise as limits, and show they provide a natural boundary $\PT_d$ compactifying the moduli space of polynomials of degree $d$. We show that $(T,η,F)$ records the limiting behavior of multipliers at periodic points, and that any divergent meromorphic family of polynomials $\{f_t(z) : t \mem Δ^* \}$ can be completed by a unique tree at its central fiber. Finally we show that in the cubic case, the boundary of moduli space $\PT_3$ is itself a tree. The metrized trees $(T,η,F)$ provide a counterpart, in the setting of iterated rational maps, to the ${\bf R}$-trees that arise as limits of hyperbolic manifolds.
Let $\cM_{g,n}$ be the moduli space of Riemann surfaces of genus $g$ with $n$ punctures. From a complex perspective, moduli space is hyperbolic. For example, $\cM_{g,n}$ is abundantly populated by immersed holomorphic disks of constant curvature -1 in the Teichmüller (=Kobayashi) metric. When $r=\dim_{\cx} \cM_{g,n}$ is greater than one, however, $\cM_{g,n}$ carries no complete metric of bounded negative curvature. Instead, Dehn twists give chains of subgroups $\zed^r \subset π_1(\cM_{g,n})$ reminiscent of flats in symmetric spaces of rank $r>1$. In this paper we introduce a new Kähler metric on moduli space that exhibits its hyperbolic tendencies in a form compatible with higher rank.
Rational maps on the Riemann sphere occupy a distinguished niche in the general theory of smooth dynamical systems. First, rational maps are complex-analytic, so a broad spectrum of techniques can contribute to their study (quasiconformal mappings, potential theory, algebraic geometry, etc.). The rational maps of a given degree form a finite-dimensional manifold, so exploration of this {\em parameter space} is especially tractable. Finally, some of the conjectures once proposed for {\em smooth} dynamical systems (and now known to be false) seem to have a definite chance of holding in the arena of rational maps. In this article we survey a small constellation of such conjectures centering around the density of {\em hyperbolic} rational maps --- those which are dynamically the best behaved. We discuss some of the evidence and logic underlying these conjectures, and sketch recent progress towards their resolution.