P. J. Rippon

Bio: P. J. Rippon is an academic researcher from Open University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Julia set & Escaping set. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 7 publications receiving 315 citations.

Fast escaping points of entire functions

Abstract: Let $f$ be a transcendental entire function and let $A(f)$ denote the set of points that escape to infinity `as fast as possible’ under iteration. By writing $A(f)$ as a countable union of closed sets, called `levels’ of $A(f)$, we obtain a new understanding of the structure of this set. For example, we show that if $U$ is a Fatou component in $A(f)$, then $\partial U\subset A(f)$ and this leads to significant new results and considerable improvements to existing results about $A(f)$. In particular, we study functions for which $A(f)$, and each of its levels, has the structure of an `infinite spider's web’. We show that there are many such functions and that they have a number of strong dynamical properties. This new structure provides an unexpected connection between a conjecture of Baker concerning the components of the Fatou set and a conjecture of Eremenko concerning the components of the escaping set.

Fast escaping points of entire functions

Abstract: Let $f$ be a transcendental entire function and let $A(f)$ denote the set of points that escape to infinity `as fast as possible' under iteration. By writing $A(f)$ as a countable union of closed sets, called `levels' of $A(f)$, we obtain a new understanding of the structure of this set. For example, we show that if $U$ is a Fatou component in $A(f)$, then $\partial U\subset A(f)$ and this leads to significant new results and considerable improvements to existing results about $A(f)$. In particular, we study functions for which $A(f)$, and each of its levels, has the structure of an `infinite spider's web'. We show that there are many such functions and that they have a number of strong dynamical properties. This new structure provides an unexpected connection between a conjecture of Baker concerning the components of the Fatou set and a conjecture of Eremenko concerning the components of the escaping set.

Slow escaping points of meromorphic functions

Abstract: We show that for any transcendental meromorphic function f there is a point z in the Julia set of f such that the iterates f n (z) escape, that is, tend to ∞ , arbitrarily slowly. The proof uses new covering results for analytic functions. We also introduce several slow escaping sets, in each of which f n (z) tends to ∞ at a bounded rate, and establish the connections between these sets and the Julia set of f . To do this, we show that the iterates of f satisfy a strong distortion estimate in all types of escaping Fatou components except one, which we call a quasi-nested wandering domain. We give examples to show how varied the structures of these slow escaping sets can be.

Escaping points of entire functions of small growth

Abstract: Let f be a transcendental entire function and let I(f) denote the set of points that escape to infinity under iteration. We give conditions which ensure that, for certain functions, I(f) is connected. In particular, we show that I(f) is connected if f has order zero and sufficiently small growth or has order less than 1/2 and regular growth. This shows that, for these functions, Eremenko’s conjecture that I(f) has no bounded components is true. We also give a new criterion related to I(f) which is sufficient to ensure that f has no unbounded Fatou components.

Escaping points of entire functions of small growth

Abstract: Let $f$ be a transcendental entire function and let $I(f)$ denote the set of points that escape to infinity under iteration. We give conditions which ensure that, for certain functions, $I(f)$ is connected. In particular, we show that $I(f)$ is connected if $f$ has order zero and sufficiently small growth or has order less than 1/2 and regular growth. This shows that, for these functions, Eremenko's conjecture that $I(f)$ has no bounded components is true. We also give a new criterion related to $I(f)$ which is sufficient to ensure that $f$ has no unbounded Fatou components.

Fast escaping points of entire functions

Abstract: Let $f$ be a transcendental entire function and let $A(f)$ denote the set of points that escape to infinity `as fast as possible' under iteration. By writing $A(f)$ as a countable union of closed sets, called `levels' of $A(f)$, we obtain a new understanding of the structure of this set. For example, we show that if $U$ is a Fatou component in $A(f)$, then $\partial U\subset A(f)$ and this leads to significant new results and considerable improvements to existing results about $A(f)$. In particular, we study functions for which $A(f)$, and each of its levels, has the structure of an `infinite spider's web'. We show that there are many such functions and that they have a number of strong dynamical properties. This new structure provides an unexpected connection between a conjecture of Baker concerning the components of the Fatou set and a conjecture of Eremenko concerning the components of the escaping set.

Dynamics of meromorphic functions with direct or logarithmic singularities

Abstract: We show that if a meromorphic function has a direct singularity over infinity, then the escaping set has an unbounded component and the intersection of the escaping set with the Julia set contains continua. This intersection has an unbounded component if and only if the function has no Baker wandering domains. We also give estimates of the Hausdorff dimension and the upper box dimension of the Julia set of a meromorphic function with a logarithmic singularity over infinity. The above theorems are deduced from more general results concerning functions which have "direct or logarithmic tracts", but which need not be meromorphic in the plane. These results are obtained by using a generalization of Wiman-Valiron theory. The method is also applied to complex differential equations.

Slow escaping points of meromorphic functions

Abstract: We show that for any transcendental meromorphic function f there is a point z in the Julia set of f such that the iterates f n (z) escape, that is, tend to ∞ , arbitrarily slowly. The proof uses new covering results for analytic functions. We also introduce several slow escaping sets, in each of which f n (z) tends to ∞ at a bounded rate, and establish the connections between these sets and the Julia set of f . To do this, we show that the iterates of f satisfy a strong distortion estimate in all types of escaping Fatou components except one, which we call a quasi-nested wandering domain. We give examples to show how varied the structures of these slow escaping sets can be.

Dynamics of Entire Functions

Abstract: Complex dynamics of iterated entire holomorphic functions is an active and exciting area of research. This manuscript collects known background in this field and describes several of the most active research areas within the dynamics of entire functions.

Multiply connected wandering domains of entire functions

Abstract: The dynamical behaviour of a transcendental entire function in any periodic component of the Fatou set is well understood. Here we study the dynamical behaviour of a transcendental entire function $f$ in any multiply connected wandering domain $U$ of $f$. By introducing a certain positive harmonic function $h$ in $U$, related to harmonic measure, we are able to give the first detailed description of this dynamical behaviour. Using this new technique, we show that, for sufficiently large $n$, the image domains $U_n=f^n(U)$ contain large annuli, $C_n$, and that the union of these annuli acts as an absorbing set for the iterates of $f$ in $U$. Moreover, $f$ behaves like a monomial within each of these annuli and the orbits of points in $U$ settle in the long term at particular `levels' within the annuli, determined by the function $h$. We also discuss the proximity of $\partial U_n$ and $\partial C_n$ for large $n$, and the connectivity properties of the components of $U_n \setminus \bar{C_n}$. These properties are deduced from new results about the behaviour of an entire function which omits certain values in an annulus.