Dynamics of Rational Surface Automorphisms

Abstract

This is a 2-part introduction to the dynamics of rational surface automorphisms. Such maps can be written in coordinates as rational functions or polynomials. The first part concerns polynomial automorphisms of complex 2-space and includes the complex Henon family.The second part concerns compact (complex) rational surfaces. The basic prop- erties of automorphisms of positive entropy are given, as well as the construction of invariant currents and measures. This is illustrated by a number of examples.