Non-Archimedean techniques and dynamical degenerations

Abstract

We develop non-Archimedean techniques to analyze the degeneration of a sequence of rational maps of the complex projective line. We provide an alternative to Luo's method which was based on ultra-limits of the hyperbolic 3-space. We build hybrid spaces using Berkovich theory which enable us to prove the convergence of equilibrium measures, and to determine the asymptotics of Lyapunov exponents.