The field of iterates of a rational function
arXiv:2404.04939
Abstract
We study how the field of definition of a rational function changes under iteration. We provide a complete classification of polynomials with the property that the field of definition of one of their iterates drops in degree (over a given base field). We show with families of examples that this characterization does not hold for rational functions. Finally, we also classify fractional linear transformations with this property.
15 pages