Abstract: Non-linear maps are difficult to iterate. Symbolic dynamics is a technique for constructing changes of coordinates which transform the map to a form which very easy to iterate. Such codings were constructed in the past for Anosov diffeomorphisms. I will discuss general C^r surface diffeomorphisms under the weaker assumption that they have positive topological entropy. No previous background in dynamical systems or ergodic theory will be assumed.

Coffee will be served at 12:00 before the lecture
at Schreiber building 006