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We study the dynamics of algebraic families of maps on $\mathbb{P}^N$, over the field $\mathbb{C}$ of complex numbers, and the geometry of their preperiodic points. The goal of this note is to formulate a conjectural characterization of the subvarieties of $S \times\mathbb{P}^N$ containing a Zariski-dense set of preperiodic points, where the parameter space $S$ is a quasiprojective complex algebraic variety; the characterization is given in terms of the non-vanishing of a power of the invariant Green current associated to the family of maps. This conjectural characterization is inspired by and generalizes the Relative Manin-Mumford Conjecture for families of abelian varieties, recently proved by Gao and Habegger, and it includes as special cases the Manin-Mumford Conjecture (theorem of Raynaud) and the Dynamical Manin-Mumford Conjecture (posed by Ghioca, Tucker, and Zhang). We provide examples where the equivalence is known to hold, and we show that several recent results can be viewed as special cases. Finally, we give the proof of one implication in the conjectural characterization.

For each integer $d\geq 2$, let $M_d$ denote the moduli space of maps $f: \mathbb{P}^1\to \mathbb{P}^1$ of degree $d$. We study the geometric configurations of subsets of postcritically finite (or PCF) maps in $M_d$. A complex-algebraic subvariety $Y \subset M_d$ is said to be PCF-special if it contains a Zariski-dense set of PCF maps. Here we prove that there are only finitely many positive-dimensional irreducible PCF-special subvarieties in $M_d$ with degree $\leq D$. In addition, there exist constants $N = N(D,d)$ and $B = B(D,d)$ so that for any complex algebraic subvariety $X \subset M_d$ of degree $\leq D$, the Zariski closure $\overline{X\cap\mathrm{PCF}}~$ has at most $N$ irreducible components, each with degree $\leq B$. We also prove generalizations of these results for points with small critical height in $M_d(\bar{\mathbb{Q}})$., Comment: minor revisions

We study algebraic relations among postcritically finite (PCF) parameters in the family $f_c(z) = z^2 + c$. Ghioca, Krieger, Nguyen and Ye proved that an algebraic curve in $\mathbb{C}^2$ contains infinitely many PCF pairs $(c_1, c_2)$ if and only if the curve is special (i.e., the curve is a vertical or horizontal line through a PCF parameter, or the curve is the diagonal). Here we extend this result to subvarieties of $\mathbb{C}^n$ for any $n\geq 2$. Consequently, we obtain uniform bounds on the number of PCF pairs on non-special curves in $\mathbb{C}^2$ and the number of PCF parameters in real algebraic curves in $\mathbb{C}$, depending only on the degree of the curve. We also compute the optimal bound for the general curve of degree $d$., Comment: final version

In [DKY], it was conjectured that there is a uniform bound $B$, depending only on the degree $d$, so that any pair of holomorphic maps $f, g :\mathbb{P}^1\to\mathbb{P}^1$ with degree $d$ will either share all of their preperiodic points or have at most $B$ in common. Here we show that this uniform bound holds for a Zariski open and dense set in the space of all pairs, $\mathrm{Rat}_d \times \mathrm{Rat}_d$, for each degree $d\geq 2$. The proof involves a combination of arithmetic intersection theory and complex-dynamical results, especially as developed recently by Gauthier-Vigny, Yuan-Zhang, and Mavraki-Schmidt. In addition, we present alternate proofs of recent results of DeMarco-Krieger-Ye and of Poineau. In fact we prove a generalization of a conjecture of Bogomolov-Fu-Tschinkel in a mixed setting of dynamical systems and elliptic curves., Comment: minor edits

Let $f: \mathbb{P}^1\to \mathbb{P}^1$ be a map of degree $>1$ defined over a function field $k = K(X)$, where $K$ is a number field and $X$ is a projective curve over $K$. For each point $a \in \mathbb{P}^1(k)$ satisfying a dynamical stability condition, we prove that the Call-Silverman canonical height for specialization $f_t$ at point $a_t$, for $t \in X(\bar{\mathbb{Q}})$ outside a finite set, induces a Weil height on the curve $X$; i.e., we prove the existence of a $\mathbb{Q}$-divisor $D = D_{f,a}$ on $X$ so that the function $t\mapsto \hat{h}_{f_t}(a_t) - h_D(t)$ is bounded on $X(\bar{\mathbb{Q}})$ for any choice of Weil height associated to $D$. We also prove a local version, that the local canonical heights $t\mapsto \hat{\lambda}_{f_t, v}(a_t)$ differ from a Weil function for $D$ by a continuous function on $X(\mathbb{C}_v)$, at each place $v$ of the number field $K$. These results were known for polynomial maps $f$ and all points $a \in \mathbb{P}^1(k)$ without the stability hypothesis, and for maps $f$ that are quotients of endomorphisms of elliptic curves $E$ over $k$. Finally, we characterize our stability condition in terms of the geometry of the induced map $\tilde{f}: X\times \mathbb{P}^1 \rightarrow X\times \mathbb{P}^1$ over $K$; and we prove the existence of relative N\'eron models for the pair $(f,a)$, when $a$ is a Fatou point at a place $\gamma$ of $k$, where the local canonical height $\hat{\lambda}_{f,\gamma}(a)$ can be computed as an intersection number., Comment: added a conjecture and made minor edits

Suppose $\mathcal{E} \to B$ is a non-isotrivial elliptic surface defined over a number field, for smooth projective curve $B$. Let $k$ denote the function field $\overline{\mathbb{Q}}(B)$ and $E$ the associated elliptic curve over $k$. In this article, we construct adelically metrized $\mathbb{R}$-divisors $\overline{D}_X$ on the base curve $B$ over a number field, for each $X \in E(k)\otimes \mathbb{R}$. We prove non-degeneracy of the Arakelov-Zhang intersection numbers $\overline{D}_X\cdot \overline{D}_Y$, as a biquadratic form on $E(k)\otimes \mathbb{R}$. As a consequence, we have the following Bogomolov-type statement for the N\'eron-Tate height functions on the fibers $E_t(\overline{\mathbb{Q}})$ of $\mathcal{E}$ over $t \in B(\overline{\mathbb{Q}})$: given points $P_1, \ldots, P_m \in E(k)$ with $m\geq 2$, there exist an infinite sequence $t_n\in B(\overline{\mathbb{Q}})$ and small-height perturbations $P_{i,t_n}' \in E_{t_n}(\overline{\mathbb{Q}})$ of specializations $P_{i,t_n}$ so that the set $\{P_{1, t_n}', \ldots, P_{m,t_n}'\}$ satisfies at least two independent linear relations for all $n$, if and only if the points $P_1, \ldots, P_m$ are linearly dependent in $E(k)$. This gives a new proof of results of Masser and Zannier and of Barroero and Capuano and extends our earlier results. In the Appendix, we prove an equidistribution theorem for adelically metrized $\mathbb{R}$-divisors on projective varieties (over a number field) using results of Moriwaki, extending the equidistribution theorem of Yuan., Comment: Added an appendix to prove an equidistribution theorem for $\mathbb{R}$-divisors in all dimensions

Let $f_c(z) = z^2+c$ for $c \in \mathbb{C}$. We show there exists a uniform bound on the number of points in $\mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{C})$ that can be preperiodic for both $f_{c_1}$ and $f_{c_2}$ with $c_1\not= c_2$ in $\mathbb{C}$. The proof combines arithmetic ingredients with complex-analytic; we estimate an adelic energy pairing when the parameters lie in $\bar{\mathbb{Q}}$, building on the quantitative arithmetic equidistribution theorem of Favre and Rivera-Letelier, and we use distortion theorems in complex analysis to control the size of the intersection of distinct Julia sets. The proof is effective, and we provide explicit constants for each of the results., Comment: Many minor corrections made for v2, particularly in section 6, and quantitative constants corrected

We introduce a general strategy for proving quantitative and uniform bounds on the number of common points of height zero for a pair of inequivalent height functions on $\mathbb{P}^1(\overline{\mathbb{Q}}).$ We apply this strategy to prove a conjecture of Bogomolov, Fu, and Tschinkel asserting uniform bounds on the number of common torsion points of elliptic curves in the case of two Legendre curves over $\mathbb{C}$. As a consequence, we obtain two uniform bounds for a two-dimensional family of genus 2 curves: a uniform Manin-Mumford bound for the family over $\mathbb{C}$, and a uniform Bogomolov bound for the family over $\overline{\mathbb{Q}}.$, Comment: v2 incorporates minor changes suggested by referees. Final version, to appear in Annals of Math

Arithmetic dynamics is the study of number theoretic properties of dynamical systems. A relatively new field, it draws inspiration partly from dynamical analogues of theorems and conjectures in classical arithmetic geometry, and partly from $p$-adic analogues of theorems and conjectures in classical complex dynamics. In this article we survey some of the motivating problems and some of the recent progress in the field of arithmetic dynamics., Comment: 72 pages, survey article, comments welcome, v.2 corrects mistakes and has added material

We look at degenerating meromorphic families of rational maps on $\mathbb{P}^1$ -- holomorphically parameterized by a punctured disk -- and we provide examples where the bifurcation current fails to have a bounded potential in a neighborhood of the puncture. This is in contrast to the recent result of Favre-Gauthier that we always have continuity across the puncture for families of polynomials; and it provides a counterexample to a conjecture posed by Favre in 2016. We explain why our construction fails for polynomial families and for families of rational maps defined over finite extensions of the rationals $\mathbb{Q}$., Comment: 13 pages

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 Teichm\"uller space.

Let a and b be algebraic numbers such that exactly one of a and b is an algebraic integer, and let f_t(z):=z^2+t be a family of polynomials parametrized by t. We prove that the set of all algebraic numbers t for which there exist positive integers m and n such that f_t^m(a)=f_t^n(b) has bounded Weil height. This is a special case of a more general result supporting a new bounded height conjecture in dynamics. Our results fit into the general setting of the principle of unlikely intersections in arithmetic dynamics.

Let $\pi : E\to B$ be an elliptic surface defined over a number field $K$, where $B$ is a smooth projective curve, and let $P: B \to E$ be a section defined over $K$ with canonical height $\hat{h}_E(P)\not=0$. In this article, we show that the function $t \mapsto \hat{h}_{E_t}(P_t)$ on $B(\overline{K})$ is the height induced from an adelically metrized line bundle with non-negative curvature on $B$. Applying theorems of Thuillier and Yuan, we obtain the equidistribution of points $t \in B(\overline{K})$ where $P_t$ is torsion, and we give an explicit description of the limiting distribution on $B(\mathbb{C})$. Finally, combined with results of Masser and Zannier, we show there is a positive lower bound on the height $\hat{h}_{A_t}(P_t)$, after excluding finitely many points $t \in B$, for any "non-special" section $P$ of a family of abelian varieties $A \to B$ that split as a product of elliptic curves., Comment: 34 pages, 3 figures

In these lecture notes, we present a connection between the complex dynamics of a family of rational functions $f_t: \mathbb{P}^1\to \mathbb{P}^1$, parameterized by $t$ in a Riemann surface $X$, and the arithmetic dynamics of $f_t$ on rational points $\mathbb{P}^1(k)$ where $k = \mathbb{C}(X)$ or $\bar{\mathbb{Q}}(X)$. An explicit relation between stability and canonical height is explained, with a proof that contains a piece of the Mordell-Weil theorem for elliptic curves over function fields. Our main goal is to pose some questions and conjectures about these families, guided by the principle of "unlikely intersections" from arithmetic geometry, as in [Zannier 2012]. We also include a proof that the hyperbolic postcritically-finite maps are Zariski dense in the moduli space of rational maps of any given degree $d>1$. These notes are based on four lectures at KAWA 2015, in Pisa, Italy, designed for an audience specializing in complex analysis, expanding upon the main results of [Baker-DeMarco 2013, DeMarco 2016, DeMarco-Wang-Ye 2016]., Comment: Final version, to appear in Ann. Fac. Sci. Toulouse Math

We present a dynamical proof of the well-known fact that the Neron-Tate canonical height (and its local counterpart) takes rational values at points of an elliptic curve over a function field k of transcendence degree 1 over an algebraically closed field K of characteristic 0. More generally, we investigate the mechanism for which the local canonical height for a rational function f defined over k can take irrational values (at points in a local completion of k), providing examples in all degrees greater than 1. Building on Kiwi's classification of non-archimedean Julia sets for quadratic maps, we give a complete answer in degree 2 characterizing the existence of points with irrational local canonical heights. As an application of our results, we prove that if the canonical heights of two points a and b under the action of two rational functions f and g (defined over k) are positive rational numbers, and if the degrees of f and g are multiplicatively independent, then the orbit of a under f intersects the orbit of b under g in at most finitely many points, complementing the results of Ghioca-Tucker-Zieve.

Any planar shape $P\subset \mathbb{C}$ can be embedded isometrically as part of the boundary surface $S$ of a convex subset of $\mathbb{R}^3$ such that $\partial P$ supports the positive curvature of $S$. The complement $Q = S \setminus P$ is the associated {\em cap}. We study the cap construction when the curvature is harmonic measure on the boundary of $(\hat{\mathbb{C}}\setminus P, \infty)$. Of particular interest is the case when $P$ is a filled polynomial Julia set and the curvature is proportional to the measure of maximal entropy., Comment: We make significant changes to the structure of the article, reordering sections and adjusting definitions. We also added details to clarify arguments

In this article, we prove the equivalence of dynamical stability, preperiodicity, and canonical height 0, for algebraic families of rational maps $f_t: \mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{C}) \to \mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{C})$, parameterized by $t$ in a quasi-projective complex variety. We use this to prove one implication in the if-and-only-if statement of Conjecture 1.10 in [Baker-DeMarco, 2013] on unlikely intersections in the moduli space of rational maps; we present the conjecture here in a more general form., Comment: Final version, to appear in Algebra and Number Theory

We study critical orbits and bifurcations within the moduli space of quadratic rational maps on $\mathbb{P}^1$. We focus on the family of curves, $Per_1(\lambda)$ for $\lambda$ in $\mathbb{C}$, defined by the condition that each $f\in Per_1(\lambda)$ has a fixed point of multiplier $\lambda$. We prove that the curve $Per_1(\lambda)$ contains infinitely many postcritically-finite maps if and only if $\lambda = 0$; addressing a special case of [BD2, Conjecture 1.4]. We also show that the two critical points of a map $f$ define distinct bifurcation measures along $Per_1(\lambda)$., Comment: Final version, to appear in Proceedings of the LMS

We give a dynamical proof of a result of Masser and Zannier [MZ2, MZ3] about torsion points on the Legendre family of elliptic curves. Our methods also treat points of small height. A key ingredient is the arithmetic equidistribution theorem on $\mathbb{P}^1$ of Baker-Rumely, Chambert-Loir, and Favre-Rivera-Letelier. Torsion points on the elliptic curve coincide with preperiodic points for the degree-4 Lattes family of rational functions. Our main new results concern properties of the bifurcation measures for this Lattes family associated to marked points., Comment: Theorem 1.3 now states the strongest form of the main theorem, the result of combining our methods with the conclusions of Masser-Zannier, for rational points with complex coefficients. To appear, American Journal of Math

We study pairs $(f, \Gamma)$ consisting of a non-Archimedean rational function $f$ and a finite set of vertices $\Gamma$ in the Berkovich projective line, under a certain stability hypothesis. We prove that stability can always be attained by enlarging the vertex set $\Gamma$. As a byproduct, we deduce that meromorphic maps preserving the fibers of a rationally-fibered complex surface are algebraically stable after a proper modification. The first article in this series examined the limit of the equilibrium measures for a degenerating 1-parameter family of rational functions on the Riemann sphere. Here we construct a convergent countable-state Markov chain that computes the limit measure. A classification of the periodic Fatou components for non-Archimedean rational functions, due to Rivera-Letelier, plays a key role in the proofs of our main theorems. The appendix contains a proof of this classification for all tame rational functions., Comment: * Added appendix by Jan Kiwi on classification of periodic Fatou components (due to Rivera-Letelier) * To appear in Mathematische Annalen: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00208-015-1331-8

We show that the weak limit of the maximal measures for any degenerating sequence of rational maps on the Riemann sphere must be a countable sum of atoms. For a 1-parameter family f_t of rational maps, we refine this result by showing that the measures of maximal entropy have a unique limit on the Riemann sphere as the family degenerates. The family f_t may be viewed as a single rational function on the Berkovich projective line over the completion of the field of formal Puiseux series in t, and the limiting measure on the Riemann sphere is the "residual measure" associated to the equilibrium measure on the Berkovich line. For the proof, we introduce a new technique for quantizing measures on the Berkovich projective line and demonstrate the uniqueness of solutions to a quantized version of the pullback formula for the equilibrium measure there., Comment: 24 pages; added new main theorem that all weak limits of maximal measures of fixed degree are atomic

We study the postcritically-finite (PCF) maps in the moduli space of complex polynomials $\mathrm{MP}_d$. For a certain class of rational curves $C$ in $\mathrm{MP}_d$, we characterize the condition that $C$ contains infinitely many PCF maps. In particular, we show that if $C$ is parameterized by polynomials, then there are infinitely many PCF maps in $C$ if and only if there is exactly one active critical point along $C$, up to symmetries; we provide the critical orbit relation satisfied by any pair of active critical points. For the curves $\mathrm{Per}_1(\lambda)$ in the space of cubic polynomials, introduced by Milnor (1992), we show that $\mathrm{Per}_1(\lambda)$ contains infinitely many PCF maps if and only if $\lambda=0$. The proofs involve a combination of number-theoretic methods (specifically, arithmetic equidistribution) and complex-analytic techniques (specifically, univalent function theory). We provide a conjecture about Zariski density of PCF maps in subvarieties of the space of rational maps, in analogy with the Andr\'e-Oort Conjecture from arithmetic geometry., Comment: Final version, appeared in Forum of Math. Pi

We provide an algorithm for computing the Euler characteristic of the curves $S_p$ in the space of cubic polynomials, consisting of all polynomials with a periodic critical point of period $p$. The curves were introduced in [Milnor, Bonifant-Kiwi-Milnor], and the algorithm applies the main results of [DeMarco-Pilgrim]. The output is shown for periods $p \leq 26$., Comment: The program and accompanying documentation are available from the authors

We consider the problem of classifying the dynamics of complex polynomials $f: \mathbb{C} \to \mathbb{C}$ restricted to their basins of infinity. We synthesize existing combinatorial tools --- tableaux, trees, and laminations --- into a new invariant of basin dynamics we call the pictograph. For polynomials with all critical points escaping to infinity, we obtain a complete description of the set of topological conjugacy classes. We give an algorithm for constructing abstract pictographs, and we provide an inductive algorithm for counting topological conjugacy classes with a given pictograph., Comment: 68 pages, 16 figures

Let $M_d$ be the moduli space of one-dimensional complex polynomial dynamical systems. The escape rates of the critical points determine a critical heights map $G: M_d \to \mathbb{R}^{d-1}$. For generic values of $G$, each connected component of a fiber of $G$ is the deformation space for twist deformations on the basin of infinity. We analyze the quotient space $\mathcal{T}_d^*$ obtained by collapsing each connected component of a fiber of $G$ to a point. The space $\mathcal{T}_d^*$ is a parameter-space analog of the polynomial tree $T(f)$ associated to a polynomial $f:\mathbb{C}\to\mathbb{C}$, studied by DeMarco and McMullen, and there is a natural projection from $\mathcal{T}_d^*$ to the space of trees $\mathcal{T}_d$. We show that the projectivization $\mathbb{P}\mathcal{T}_d^*$ is compact and contractible; further, the shift locus in $\mathbb{P}\mathcal{T}_d^*$ has a canonical locally finite simplicial structure. The top-dimensional simplices are in one-to-one corespondence with topological conjugacy classes of structurally stable polynomials in the shift locus.

In this article, we combine complex-analytic and arithmetic tools to study the preperiodic points of one-dimensional complex dynamical systems. We show that for any fixed complex numbers a and b, and any integer d at least 2, the set of complex numbers c for which both a and b are preperiodic for z^d+c is infinite if and only if a^d = b^d. This provides an affirmative answer to a question of Zannier, which itself arose from questions of Masser concerning simultaneous torsion sections on families of elliptic curves. Using similar techniques, we prove that if two complex rational functions f and g have infinitely many preperiodic points in common, then they must have the same Julia set. This generalizes a theorem of Mimar, who established the same result assuming that f and g are defined over an algebraic extension of the rationals. The main arithmetic ingredient in the proofs is an adelic equidistribution theorem for preperiodic points over number fields and function fields, with non-archimedean Berkovich spaces playing an essential role., Comment: 26 pages. v3: Final version to appear in Duke Math. J

We study the dynamics of cubic polynomials restricted to their basins of infinity, and we enumerate topological conjugacy classes with given combinatorics., Comment: To appear in the Journal of Difference Equations and Applications, special volume in honor of Robert Devaney

We study the projection $\pi: M_d \to B_d$ which sends an affine conjugacy class of polynomial $f: \mathbb{C}\to\mathbb{C}$ to the holomorphic conjugacy class of the restriction of $f$ to its basin of infinity. When $B_d$ is equipped with a dynamically natural Gromov-Hausdorff topology, the map $\pi$ becomes continuous and a homeomorphism on the shift locus. Our main result is that all fibers of $\pi$ are connected. Consequently, quasiconformal and topological basin-of-infinity conjugacy classes are also connected. The key ingredient in the proof is an analysis of model surfaces and model maps, branched covers between translation surfaces which model the local behavior of a polynomial., Comment: v3: Reorganized, with more detailed proofs. To appear, Geom. Funct. Analysis

A polynomial skew product of C^2 is a map of the form f(z,w) = (p(z), q(z,w)), where p and q are polynomials, such that f is regular of degree d >= 2. For polynomial maps of C, hyperbolicity is equivalent to the condition that the closure of the postcritical set is disjoint from the Julia set; further, critical points either iterate to an attracting cycle or infinity. For polynomial skew products, Jonsson (Math. Ann., 1999) established that f is Axiom A if and only if the closure of the postcritical set is disjoint from the right analog of the Julia set. Here we present the analogous conclusion: critical orbits either escape to infinity or accumulate on an attracting set. In addition, we construct new examples of Axiom A maps demonstrating various postcritical behaviors., Comment: 33 pages, 3 figures

Let $\MP_d$ denote the space of polynomials $f: \C \to \C$ of degree $d\geq 2$, modulo conjugation by $\Aut(\C)$. Using properties of polynomial trees (as introduced in [DM, math.DS/0608759]), we show that if $f_n$ is a divergent sequence of polynomials in $\MP_d$, then any subsequential limit of the measures of maximal entropy $m(f_n)$ will have finite support. With similar techniques, we observe that the iteration maps $\{\MPbar_d \dashrightarrow \MPbar_{d^n}: n\geq 1\}$ between GIT-compactifications can be resolved simultaneously with only finitely many blow-ups of $\MPbar_d$., Comment: 15 pages, for the Proceedings of the Holomorphic Dynamics Workshop, in celebration of J. Milnor's 75th birthday

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 $(T,\eta)$, 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 $(T,\eta,F)$ records the limiting behavior of multipliers at periodic points, and that any divergent meromorphic family of polynomials $\{f_t(z) : t \mem \Delta^* \}$ 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 $(T,\eta,F)$ provide a counterpart, in the setting of iterated rational maps, to the ${\bf R}$-trees that arise as limits of hyperbolic manifolds., Comment: 60 pages

We prove a formula for the Fekete-Leja transfinite diameter of the pullback of a set E in C^N by a regular polynomial map F, expressing it in terms of the resultant of the leading part of F and the transfinite diameter of E. We also establish the nonarchimedean analogue of this formula. A key step in the proof is a formula for the transfinite diameter of the filled Julia set of F.

Let $M_2$ be the space of quadratic rational maps $f:{\bf P}^1\to{\bf P}^1$, modulo the action by conjugation of the group of M\"obius transformations. In this paper a compactification $X$ of $M_2$ is defined, as a modification of Milnor's $\bar{M}_2\iso{\bf CP}^2$, by choosing representatives of a conjugacy class $[f]\in M_2$ such that the measure of maximal entropy of $f$ has conformal barycenter at the origin in ${\bf R}^3$, and taking the closure in the space of probability measures. It is shown that $X$ is the smallest compactification of $M_2$ such that all iterate maps $[f]\mapsto [f^n]\in M_{2^n}$ extend continuously to $X \to \bar{M}_{2^n}$, where $\bar{M}_d$ is the natural compactification of $M_d$ coming from geometric invariant theory., Comment: 38 pages, 3 figures

Let $Rat_d$ denote the space of holomorphic self-maps of ${\bf P}^1$ of degree $d\geq 2$, and $\mu_f$ the measure of maximal entropy for $f\in Rat_d$. The map of measures $f\mapsto\mu_f$ is known to be continuous on $Rat_d$, and it is shown here to extend continuously to the boundary of $Rat_d$ in $\bar{Rat}_d \simeq {\bf P}^{2d+1}$, except along a locus $I(d)$ of codimension $d+1$. The set $I(d)$ is also the indeterminacy locus of the iterate map $f\mapsto f^n$ for every $n\geq 2$. The limiting measures are given explicitly, away from $I(d)$. The degenerations of rational maps are also described in terms of metrics of non-negative curvature on the Riemann sphere: the limits are polyhedral., Comment: 25 pages