On the separatrix graph of a rational vector field on the Riemann sphere

Abstract

We consider the rational flow $\xi_R(z)= R(z) (d/dz)$ where $R$ is given by the quotient of two polynomials without common factors on the Riemann sphere. The separatrix graph $\Gamma_R$ is the boundary between trajectories with different properties. We characterize the properties of a planar directed graph to be homeomorphic to the separatrix graph of a rational vector field on the Riemann sphere.