The Nevanlinna ramification index is the normalized lower limiting integrated excess multiplicity over a target value, with pole orders used for infinity. It is an asymptotic value-distribution quantity, distinct from the integer ramification index of a holomorphic map at one source point. It can be positive even when the target has positive Nevanlinna deficiency.
For a nonconstant meromorphic map, write in the usual normalization, where . Let count -points with their local degrees, and let count each distinct point once, using the same integrated logarithmic weights. At infinity the local degree is the pole order. The Nevanlinna deficiency and Nevanlinna ramification index are
The latter is an asymptotic excess-multiplicity index, not the integer local ramification degree. The Nevanlinna first main theorem gives and identifies deficiency with the lower limiting normalized proximity. The target ranges over the Riemann sphere, not just the real line.
The exponential is entire and has no poles. Consequently
Thus in this normalization.
To obtain the rational-composition growth, represent the nonconstant degree- sphere map by relatively prime homogeneous polynomials of degree . Their joint norm on the unit sphere in has a positive minimum and finite maximum: simultaneous vanishing would contradict relative primeness on the projective line. Homogeneity therefore gives constants with
Apply this to the entire nonvanishing lift . The logarithmic joint norm differs from by a bounded function. Its circular mean minus the value at zero is the spherical characteristic. It differs from the ordinary characteristic by : Jensen's formula applied to the entire denominator counts its zeros, while
controls the proximity replacement. If the denominator vanishes at zero, factor its zero and use its leading coefficient in Jensen's formula; the discrepancy is still a basepoint-dependent constant. This proves the rational composition law for the Nevanlinna characteristic here and gives
If is constant, and its characteristic is bounded instead.
For a simultaneous nonzero deficiency and ramification example choose
a degree-three polynomial composed with the exponential. Its characteristic is . Its only zeros are , , all of multiplicity two. The number of distinct such points in a large disc is , so integration of their count gives
The origin contribution is handled by its usual logarithmic counting term. Therefore
This is simultaneous deficiency and ramification for an exponential polynomial: the missing exponential value contributes a deficit, while the attained value is attained with double multiplicity.
The rational composition law for the Nevanlinna characteristic gives . Its zeros are precisely , all of multiplicity two, so and . Hence both its Nevanlinna deficiency and Nevanlinna ramification index at zero equal one third.