Branch structure of J-holomorphic curves near periodic orbits of a contact manifold

Abstract

Let $M$ be a three-dimensional contact manifold and $\psi:D\setminus\{0\}\to M\times{\Bbb R}$ a finite-energy pseudoholomorphic map from a punctured disc in ${\Bbb C}$, that is asymptotic to a periodic orbit of the Reeb vector field. This article examines conditions under which smooth coordinates may be defined in a tubular neighbourhood of the orbit such that $\psi$ resembles a holomorphic curve, invoking comparison with the theory of topological linking of plane complex algebroid curves near a singularity. Examples of this behaviour which are studied in some detail include pseudoholomorphic maps into ${\Bbb E}_{p,q}\times{\Bbb R}$, where ${\Bbb E}_{p,q}$ denotes a rational ellipsoid with contact structure induced by the complex structure of the ambient ${\Bbb C}^{2}$. Contact structures arising from non-standard circle-fibrations of the three-sphere are also examined.