Questions tagged [complex-dynamics]
Dynamics of holomorphic transformations; Mandelbrot and Julia sets.
204 questions
44
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4
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Did Gaston Julia ever get to see a computer-generated image of his eponymous set?
I learned from Wikipedia that Gaston Julia died in 1978. Is it known if he ever got to see a computer-generated image of the set named after him?
44
votes
3
answers
4k
views
When does iterating $z \mapsto z^2 + c$ have an exact solution?
If one iterates the map $z \mapsto z^2 + c$ there is obviously a simple formula for the sequence one gets if $c=0$. Less obviously, there is also a simple formula when $c = -2$ (use the identity $2 \...
38
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is the area of the Mandelbrot provably computable?
Recall the Mandelbrot set $M$ is the set of points $c$ in the complex plane such that the sequence $z_0 = 0, z_{n+1} = z_n^2 + c$ is bounded. It is well-known that $M$ is a compact set of positive ...
36
votes
3
answers
10k
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The deep significance of the question of the Mandelbrot set's local connectedness?
I am given to understand that the celebrated open problem (MLC) of the Mandelbrot set's local connectness has broader and deeper significance deeper than some mere curiosity of point-set topology.
...
32
votes
3
answers
2k
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How is the Julia set of $fg$ related to the Julia set of $gf$?
Let $f$ and $g$ be complex rational functions (of degree $\geq 2$ if that helps). What can be said about the relationship between $J(fg)$ and $J(gf)$, the Julia sets of the composite functions $f \...
27
votes
5
answers
4k
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Why are the Julia sets so simple? (quadratic family)
I want to know why, when I look at the Julia sets of the quadratic family, I see only a finite number of repeating patterns, rather than a countable infinity of them.
My question is specifically ...
27
votes
3
answers
948
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A point set of power series with coefficients in {-1, 1}. Connected or not?
Let $z$ be a fixed complex number with $|z|<1$ and consider the set
$$X_z := \Big\{\sum\limits_{i=1}^{\infty} a_i z^i \ \Big|\ a_i\in \{-1,1\} \forall i\Big\}.$$
What can be said about the set $M$ ...
26
votes
6
answers
5k
views
Parametrization of the boundary of the Mandelbrot set
Does anyone know how to parametrize the boundary of the Mandelbrot set? I am not a fractal-geometer or a dynamical systems person. I just have some idle curiosity about this question.
The ...
26
votes
7
answers
2k
views
If you were to axiomatize the notion of entropy
What are the axioms that a good notion of entropy must satisfy? Please note that I am not asking for the definitions of various types of entropy such as topological entropy or measure-theoretic ...
25
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Exponential towers of $i$'s
It's well known that the expression $i^i$ takes on an infinite set of values if we understand $w^z$ to mean any number of the form $\exp (z (\ln w + 2 \pi i n))$ where $\ln$ is a branch of the natural ...
24
votes
1
answer
2k
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Anti-Mandelbrot set
I clearly remember seeing a paper where the dynamic of the anti-conformal map
$f(z)=\overline{z}^2+c$ was studied (the bar means complex conjugation). There was a picture of the analog of the ...
22
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Representing a number close to 1 with a sum of reciprocals of natural numbers
For positive integers $n_1, \ldots, n_k$, let $H(n_1, \ldots, n_k)$ denote $1/n_1 + \ldots + 1/n_k$. Let $V(N)$ be the largest possible value of $H(n_1, \ldots, n_k)$ that is less than 1, subject to ...
21
votes
1
answer
917
views
Is there a reference for "computing $\pi$" using external rays of the Mandelbrot set?
I was recently reminded of the following cute fact which I will state as a proposition to fix notation:
Proposition
Given $\epsilon > 0$, let $c = -3/4 + \epsilon i \in \mathbb{C}$ and $q_c(z) = z^...
19
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Meaning of $\Subset$ notation
The symbol $\Subset$ (occurring in places where $\subseteq$ could occur syntactically) comes up frequently in a paper I'm reading. The paper lives at the intersection of a few areas of math, and I ...
19
votes
1
answer
4k
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Is the area of the Mandelbrot set known? [duplicate]
The Mandelbrot set has an area; is it known exactly? If so, how, and what is the value? If not, why is this a hard question to answer?
19
votes
2
answers
3k
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Is there some known way to create the Mandelbrot set (the boundary), with an iterated function system?
Is there some known way to create the Mandelbrot set (the boundary),
with an iterated function system (IFS)?
Julia sets can be formed by iterating the two functions $z \mapsto \pm \sqrt{z-c},$
and ...
18
votes
1
answer
951
views
Poincaré metric on the Riemann sphere minus more than two points
If we omit more than two points from the Riemann sphere, we will obtain a hyperbolic Riemann surface endowed with a canonical metric descending from its universal cover which is the Poincaré disk. Let ...
18
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Renormalization in physics vs. dynamical systems
I am studying complex dynamics, so to me renormalization of a dynamical system means something like a rescaled first-return map on (a subset of) the underlying space. I understand that in quantum ...
17
votes
5
answers
2k
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Arithmetic dynamics and dynamics on moduli spaces
The following question is more of a request for pointers to suitable literature on introductory material for arithmetic dynamics and dynamics on moduli spaces.
In my dissertation, I have been ...
16
votes
3
answers
1k
views
If I have zeros at the vertices of an icosahedron, where should the poles go?
I've been tinkering with Newton's method applied to polynomials. E.g., Newton's method for $z^5 - 1 = 0$ gives:
There aren't a lot of symmetric patterns of finite sets of points in the plane, so I ...
15
votes
3
answers
2k
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Convergence of Newton's method
For a polynomial $P$ of degree $n$ with real coefficients and with $n$ distinct real roots, the Newton's method $z_{n+1} = z_n - {P(z_n) \over P'(z_n)}$ converges for almost all initial values $z_0$ ...
15
votes
8
answers
4k
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Are there some original papers or books related to applications of algebraic topology and algebraic geometry in complex dynamic systems
Recently I have much interest in algebraic topology and algebraic geometry. I am a student of the field of complex dynamical systems. According to my knowledge, my friends told me that there are many ...
14
votes
0
answers
849
views
Algebraic proofs of algebraic theorems about algebraically closed fields
It is well-known that the first order theory of algebraically closed fields admits quantifier elimination, whence the theory $ACF_p$ of algebraically closed fields of given characteristic $p$ is ...
13
votes
1
answer
452
views
Is the set of escaping endpoints for $e^z-2$ completely metrizable?
Let $f:\mathbb C \to \mathbb C$ be the complex exponential $$f(z)=e^z-2.$$ It is known that $J(f)$, the Julia set of $f$, is a uncountable collection of disjoint rays (one-to-one continuous images ...
13
votes
0
answers
311
views
Diophantine approximation in the Julia set
Let $f : \mathbb{CP}^1 \to \mathbb{CP}^1$ be a rational map of degree $q > 1$; or just a quadratic binomial $z^2 + c$, if one prefers. The Julia set $J_f$ is the closure of the repelling periodic ...
12
votes
4
answers
988
views
Rounding errors in images of Julia sets
One typically computes Julia sets by iterating a complex function, such as a polynomial or rational function.
How do rounding errors affect the results?
I'm looking for references on this issue, ...
12
votes
3
answers
387
views
Dynamics in one matrix variable
Are dynamical systems
$$X \mapsto F(X)$$
studied where $X \in \mathrm{M}_n$, $\mathrm{M}_n:=\mathrm{Mat}(n,\mathbb{C})$ or $\mathrm{Mat}(n,\mathbb{R})$, and $F$ is a (properly defined noncommutative)...
12
votes
2
answers
750
views
Algorithm for computing external angles for the Mandelbrot set
Let $M$ be the Mandelbrot set: there exists a unique series
$$
\psi(z) := z + \sum_{m=0}^{+\infty} b_m z^{-m} = z - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{8} z^{-1} - \frac{1}{4} z^{-2} + \cdots
$$
which defines a ...
11
votes
1
answer
959
views
Can the topologist's sine curve be realized as a Julia set?
Does there exist a rational function $f\in\Bbb{C}(z)$ whose Julia set coincides with
$$
T:=\left\{\left(x,\sin\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)\right)\,\Big|\,x\in\left(0,\frac{1}{\pi}\right]\right\}\cup\big(\{...
11
votes
1
answer
427
views
Is the Mandelbrot set Suslinian?
The Mandelbrot set is known to be (path-)connected and compact. A non-degenerate space with these properties is called a continuum.
A continuum $X$ is Suslinian if every collection of non-degenerate ...
11
votes
0
answers
570
views
A curious observation on the elliptic curve $y^2=x^3+1$
Here is a calculation regarding the $2$-torsion points of the elliptic curve $y^2=x^3+1$ which looks really miraculous to me (the motivation comes at the end).
Take a point of $y^2=x^3+1$ and ...
10
votes
4
answers
767
views
When are those subgroups of $\mathrm{SL}(2, \mathbb{C})$ discrete?
Let $A = \pmatrix{1 & 0 \\ \alpha & 1} $ and $ B = \pmatrix{1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1}$, where $\alpha \in \mathbb{C}$ is a complex parameter.
Now consider the family of representations $r_{\...
10
votes
1
answer
705
views
On entire functions with polynomial Schwarzian derivative
The Schwarzian derivative of an entire holomorphic function $f$ is defined as
$$Sf:=\left(\frac{f^{''}}{f'}\right)'-\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{f^{''}}{f'}\right)^2.$$
In the following, we only consider ...
10
votes
2
answers
647
views
Periodicity in iterated powers of sin, cos, exp
Given a complex number $z$, consider the sequence
\begin{align*}
a_0 & = 1\\
a_1 & = (cos(1))^z\\
a_n & = (cos(a_{n-1}))^z
\end{align*}
This question is about trying to understand ...
10
votes
1
answer
419
views
Convex Julia sets
Consider the classical Julia set $J_f$ associated with $f(z)=z^2+c$.
Since $J_c$ is completely invariant,
we know that $f^{-1}(J_f) \subseteq J_f$.
Now, let $H_f$ be the convex hull of $J_f$.
Is it ...
10
votes
1
answer
377
views
On the conformal removability of Jordan curves
We say that a compact subset $E$ of the Riemann sphere $\mathbb{C}_\infty$ is (conformally) removable if every homeomorphism of $\mathbb{C}_\infty$ conformal outside $E$ is actually conformal ...
10
votes
0
answers
303
views
the (non-existent) group of conformal transformations
In physics intros to 2d conformal field theory, people often talk about the "group of conformal transformations". Of course, that's not a group but rather a pseudo-group... that's not what ...
10
votes
0
answers
543
views
What is the "category of bifurcations"?
While reading the introduction to this paper by Curtis McMullen, I came to the following (bold added):
In this paper we show that every bifurcation set contains a copy of the boundary of the ...
9
votes
6
answers
2k
views
When does the sequence of iterates of a rational function converge?
Darsh asks at the 20-questions seminar:
Let $f:P^1 \rightarrow P^1$ be rational function.
Can you say when the sequence $\{ f^n(x)\}_n=\{ x,f(x),f(f(x)),\cdots\} $ converges? What about the sequence ...
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is this a Julia set (and if so, for which function family is it the Julia set)?
Consider the function family given by $f_\lambda(z) = z - p_\lambda(z)/p_\lambda'(z)$ where $p_\lambda(z) = (z^2 - 1)(z - \lambda)$. Every attracting cycle and every rational neutral cycle of $f_\...
9
votes
2
answers
831
views
How many times line segments can intersect a Jordan curve?
I posted a question on math.stackexchange.com but it seems this question might be open
https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/109752/line-segments-intersecting-jordan-curve
Namely,
is there a set ...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Dynamics of Riemann zeta function
Has the dynamics of the Riemann zeta function been studied? By dynamics I mean the limiting behavior of the sequence of iterates $s, \zeta (s), \zeta (\zeta (s)), \zeta (\zeta (\zeta (s)))\dots $ for ...
9
votes
1
answer
349
views
Tiling the plane with finitely many congruent pieces
Suppose $A_1,\dots,A_n$ are measurable subsets of the plane that are all related by rigid motions such that $|(A_1 \cup \dots \cup A_n)^c| = 0$ and $|A_i \cap A_j| = 0$ for all $1 \leq i < j \leq n$...
9
votes
1
answer
544
views
When is a Newton basin fractal continuously determined by the roots of its polynomial?
Newton basin fractals are visualizations of the Julia sets of functions of the form:
$$f_p(z) = z - p(z)/p'(z)$$
where $p$ is a complex polynomial. My question is:
When is the Julia set, $J(f_p)$...
9
votes
0
answers
323
views
Discriminants of Gleason's period-$n$ polynomials for the Mandelbrot set
Gleason's polynomials are the sequence of monic integer polynomials defined recursively by
$$
\prod_{d \mid n} G_d(c) = (((c^2+c)^2+c)^2+\cdots+c)^2+c \quad \quad \quad [\textrm{$n$ iterates}],
$$
for ...
8
votes
1
answer
766
views
Does the Mandelbrot set have dense interior?
Let $M$ be the Mandelbrot set.
Question: Is the interior of $M$ dense in $M$?
My intuition is that this is true, and moreover that hyperbolic components of the interior are dense in $M$ as well, and ...
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Harmonic level sets and boundary data
This is probably a classic problem, so a good reference book or paper to get me started on this type of question would be great:
Let $\mathbb{D} \subset \mathbb{C}$ be the unit disk with boundary $\...
8
votes
2
answers
395
views
Linearizing a power series by conjugation
Let $\mathfrak{I}:=\big\{ \, f:=\sum_{k=0}^\infty f_k z^k \in\mathbb{C}[[z]]\; : \text{s.t. }\; f_0=0 \;\text{ and }\; f_1=1\big\}$. A most basic result about linearization states that, for any $f\...
8
votes
1
answer
495
views
$f(f(z)) = z , f(\exp(z)) = \exp(f(z)) $?
While talking about tetration with my friend the following idea (re)occured.
$$f(f(z)) = z ,\quad f(\exp(z)) = \exp(f(z)) \tag{A}\label{A}$$
or variations of it like the weaker
$$f(f(f(f(z)))) = z ,\...
7
votes
3
answers
458
views
A question about Julia set for quadratic family
Let $P_{c}(z)=z^2+c$. It seems from the software that the map between the parameter $c$ and the Julia set $J(P_c)$ is an injective map. Is there some reference about it? Any comments and reference ...