Dynamical relations on $\mathbb{P}^1$, higher bifurcations, and arithmetic bigness

Abstract

In this article, we study algebraic relations among rational maps on $\mathbb{P}^1$ and among their preperiodic points. Working over $\mathbb{C}$, we characterize algebraic families of positive-dimensional varieties in $(\mathbb{P}^1)^N$ and tuples of maps $(f_1, \ldots, f_N)$ for which the subvariety is dynamically special for a Zariski-dense set of parameters. Moreover, outside of well-understood elliptic phenomena, we show that all families of maps and subvarieties that bifurcate are maximally bifurcating. Working over $\overline{\mathbb{Q}}$, we characterize arithmetic and geometric potential bigness for the canonical line bundle associated to families of endomorphisms of $(\mathbb{P}^1)^N$ when restricted to the subvarieties. As consequences, we obtain uniform bounds for the periods and preperiods of relations among non-exceptional maps, and we show uniform bounds on the geometry of preperiodic points satisfying these relations. Over $\overline{\mathbb{Q}}$, our results yield corresponding uniform bounds for points and subvarieties satisfying a height gap.