Thurston equivalence for rational maps with clusters

We investigate rational maps with period-one and period-two cluster cycles. Given the definition of a cluster, we show that, in the case where the degree is d and the cluster is fixed, the Thurston class of a rational map is fixed by the combinatorial rotation number ρ and the critical displacement δof the cluster cycle. The same result will also be proved in the case where the rational map is quadratic and has a period-two cluster cycle, and we will also show that the statement is no longer true in the higher-degree case

Constructing rational maps with cluster points using the mating operation

In this article, we show that all admissible rational maps with fixed or period two cluster cycles can be constructed by the mating of polynomials. We also investigate the polynomials which make up the matings that construct these rational maps. In the one cluster case, one of the polynomials must be an $n$-rabbit and in the two cluster case, one of the maps must be either $f$, a "double rabbit", or $g$, a secondary map which lies in the wake of the double rabbit $f$. There is also a very simple combinatorial way of classifiying the maps which must partner the aforementioned polynomials to create rational maps with cluster cycles. Finally, we also investigate the multiplicities of the shared matings arising from the matings in the paper.Comment: 23 page