Critical Loci and Complex Solenoids for Polynomial Automorphisms of $\mathbb{C}^2$
For polynomial maps, orbits of critical points determine the dynamics of the map to a large extent. Polynomial automorphisms of $\mathbb{C}^2$, being invertible, do not possess classical critical points. However, since critical points of one-variable polynomials are also critical points of the associated Green's function, Bedford, Smillie, and Hubbard used this analogy to define critical loci for complex Henon maps. We'll examine the critical loci in dynamically significant regions and explain how they relate to the connectivity properties and structure of Julia sets. We'll also discuss Hubbard's conjecture concerning the critical locus for Henon maps with connected Julia sets and its relation to complex solenoids.