Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We study the arithmetic and geometric iterated monodromy groups associated to the postcritically finite (PCF) quadratic rational function $f(x)=\frac{2}{(x-1)^2}$ defined over a number field $k$, whose critical points are both strictly pre-periodic. We give explicit recursive descriptions of the topological generators of the geometric iterated monodromy group of $f$ and show that the arithmetic iterated monodromy group has Hausdorff dimension zero. We describe an explicit criterion to determine the values $a \in k$ for which the associated arboreal Galois group achieves its maximum possible size. In particular, we show that maximality of the arboreal Galois group can already be verified at level four, which is computationally accessible. We also determine the normalizer of the geometric IMG of $f$ and show that the arithmetic IMG equals the normalizer if $ζ_8$ is not contained in $k$. Finally, we show that when $k=\mathbb{Q}$, the constant field contains $\mathbb{Q}(μ_{2^{\infty}})$, providing the first full study of a PCF quadratic map with non-abelian constant field.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Language: English
Subfield: Mathematical Physics
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7162090447