Misiurewicz Points for Polynomial Maps and Transversality

Abstract

The behavior under iteration of the critical points of polynomial maps plays an essential role in understanding its dynamics. We study the special case where the forward orbits of the critical points are finite. Thurston's theorem tells us that fixing a particular critical portrait and degree leads to only finitely may possible polynomials (up to equivalence) and that, in many cases, their defining equations intersect transversely. We provide explicit algebraic formulae for the parameters where the critical points of the unicritical polynomials and bicritical cubic polynomials have a specified exact period. We pay particular attention to the parameters where the critical orbits are strictly preperiodic, called Misiurewicz points. Our main tool is the generalized dynatomic polynomial. We also study the discriminants of these polynomials to examine the failure of transversality in positive characteristic for unicritical polynomials.