Simple length spectra as moduli for hyperbolic surfaces and rigidity of length identities

Abstract

In this article, we revisit classical length identities enjoyed by simple closed curves on hyperbolic surfaces. We state and prove the rigidity of such identities over Teichm\"uller spaces. Due to this rigidity, certain collections of simple closed curves which minimally intersect are characterized on generic hyperbolic surfaces by their lengths. As an application, we construct a meagre set $V$ in the Teichm\"uller space of a topological orientable surface $S$, possibly of infinite type. Then the isometry class of a (Nielsen-convex) hyperbolic structure on $S$ outside $V$ is characterized by its unmarked simple length spectrum. Namely, we show that the simple length spectra can be used as moduli for generic hyperbolic surfaces. In the case of compact surfaces, an analogous result using length spectra was obtained by Wolpert.