Thurston's algorithm and rational maps from quadratic polynomial matings

Abstract

Topological mating is an combination that takes two same-degree polynomials and produces a new map with dynamics inherited from this initial pair. This process frequently yields a map that is Thurston-equivalent to a rational map $F$ on the Riemann sphere. Given a pair of polynomials of the form $z^2+c$ that are postcritically finite, there is a fast test on the constant parameters to determine whether this map $F$ exists---but this test is not constructive. We present an iterative method that utilizes finite subdivision rules and Thurston's algorithm to approximate this rational map, $F$. This manuscript expands upon results given by the Medusa algorithm in \cite{MEDUSA}. We provide a proof of the algorithm's efficacy, details on its implementation, the settings in which it is most successful, and examples generated with the algorithm.

27 pages, 14 figures