Abstract

Let $V$ be a variety, and let $\phi : V \to V$ be a morphism. If an (infinite) forward orbit of a point intersects a subvariaty $W$ infinitely many times, what can be said about $W$? The dynamical Mordell-Lang conjecture asserts that this can only happen for “the obvious reason”, namely that $W$ is $\phi$-preperiodic. We will give a brief background on the conjecture, and using a $p$-adic analytic approach, prove it for certain coordinatewise actions. Assuming certain “random map assumptions”, the approach should work for more general maps if the mod $p$ periodic part of orbit avoids the ramification locus of $\phi$. However, in sufficiently high dimensions the approach breaks down due to the periods being too long. We will discuss this in more detail, and present numerical evidence for the validity of the random map assumption in various dimensions.