arXiv subjects

Barak Weiss

Publications and source records attributed to Barak Weiss.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Non-colliding billiards in the plane

We present an open problem about non-colliding freely moving hard disks in the Euclidean plane, together with related positive and negative partial results. The open problem is stated in a non-degenerate form: velocities are required to be pairwise distinct and their speeds are required to be uniformly bounded away from infinity. The positive deterministic result gives a bounded, injective, non-colliding velocity assignment for the integer lattice; after a common velocity shift, the speeds are also bounded away from zero. The negative result shows that no bounded continuous vector field on the whole plane can serve as a universal assignment satisfying the same separation inequality for all pairs of points at distance greater than one. We also record a space-time interpretation of the problem, relate it to packings by nonparallel cylinders in three dimensions, and formulate a corresponding topological-dynamical question for cylinder packings.

math.DS↗

arXiv2025

On the error bounds for visible points in some cut-and-project sets

We study points in cut-and-project sets which are visible from the origin, continuing a direction of inquiry initiated in [6,14] where the asymptotic density of visible points was investigated. We establish an error bound for the density of visible points in certain cases. We also prove that the set of visible points in irreducible cut-and-project sets with star-shaped windows is never relatively dense.

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arXiv2025

Measure rigidity and equidistribution for fractal carpets

Let $\theta$ be a Bernoulli measure which is stationary for a random walk generated by finitely many contracting rational affine dilations of $\mathbb{R}^d$, and let $\mathcal{K} = \mathrm{supp}(\theta)$ be the corresponding attractor. An example in dimension $d=1$ is the Hausdorff measure on Cantor's middle thirds set, and examples in higher dimensions include missing digits sets, Sierpi\'nski carpets and Menger sponges. Let $\nu$ denote the image of $\theta$ under the map $\mathcal{K} \to \mathrm{SL}_{d+1}(\mathbb{R})/\mathrm{SL}_{d+1}(\mathbb{Z})$ which sends $x$ to the lattice $\Lambda_x = \mathrm{span}_{\mathbb{Z}}(e_1,\ldots,e_d,e_{d+1} + (x,0))$. We prove equidistribution of the pushforward measures $a_{n*}\nu$ along any diverging sequence of diagonal matrices $(a_n)\subset\mathrm{SL}_{d+1}(\mathbb{R})$ that expand the first $d$ coordinates under a natural non-escape of mass condition. The latter condition is known to hold whenever $\theta$ is absolutely friendly. We also show that weighted badly approximable vectors and Dirichlet-improvable vectors (for arbitrary norm) form a subset of $\mathcal{K}$ of $\theta$-measure zero. The key ingredient is a measure classification theorem for the stationary measures of an associated random walk on an $S$-arithmetic space, introduced by the two first-named authors in earlier work. A new feature of this setting is that this random walk admits stationary measures which are not invariant.

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arXiv2024

The Dirichlet spectrum

Akhunzhanov and Shatskov defined the Dirichlet spectrum, corresponding to $m \times n$ matrices and to norms on $\mathbb{R}^m$ and $\mathbb{R}^n$. In case $(m,n) = (2,1)$ and using the Euclidean norm on $\mathbb{R}^2$, they showed that the spectrum is an interval. We generalize this result to arbitrary $(m,n) \neq (1,1)$ and arbitrary norms, improving previous works from recent years. We also define some related spectra and show that they too are intervals. Our argument is a modification of an argument of Khintchine from 1926.

math.NT↗

arXiv2024

Singularity, weighted uniform approximation, intersections and rates

A classical argument was introduced by Khintchine in 1926 in order to exhibit the existence of totally irrational singular linear forms in two variables. This argument was subsequently revisited and extended by many authors. For instance, in 1959 Jarnik used it to show that for $n \geq 2$ and for any non-increasing positive $f$ there are totally irrational matrices $A \in M_{m,n}({\mathbb R})$ such that for all large enough $t$ there are $\mathbf{p} \in {\mathbb Z}^m, \mathbf{q} \in {\mathbb Z}^n \smallsetminus \{0\}$ with $$\|\mathbf{q}\| \leq t \ \text{ and } \ \|A \mathbf{q} - \mathbf{p}\| \leq f(t).$$ We denote the collection of such matrices by $\mathrm{UA}^*_{m,n}(f)$. We adapt Khintchine's argument to show that the sets $\mathrm{UA}^*_{m,n}(f)$, and their weighted analogues $\mathrm{UA}^*_{m,n}(f, \mathbf{w})$, intersect many manifolds and fractals, and have strong intersection properties. For example, we show that: When $n \geq 2$, the set $\bigcap_{\mathbf{w}} \mathrm{UA}^*(f, \mathbf{w}) $, where the intersection is over all weights $\mathbf{w}$, is nonempty, and moreover intesects many manifolds and fractals; For $n \geq 2$, there are vectors in ${\mathbb R}^n$ which are simultaneously $k$-singular for every $k$, in the sense of Yu; when $n \geq 3$, $\mathrm{UA}^*_{1,n}(f) + \mathrm{UA}^*_{1,n}(f) = {\mathbb R}^n$. We also obtain new bounds on the rate of singularity which can be attained by column vectors in analytic submanifolds of dimension at least 2 in ${\mathbb R}^n$.

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arXiv2023

Bounds on the density of smooth lattice coverings

Let $K$ be a convex body in $\mathbb{R}^n$, let $L$ be a lattice with covolume one, and let $\eta>0$. We say that $K$ and $L$ form an $\eta$-smooth cover if each point $x \in \mathbb{R}^n$ is covered by $(1 \pm \eta) vol(K)$ translates of $K$ by $L$. We prove that for any positive $\sigma, \eta$, asymptotically as $n \to \infty$, for any $K$ of volume $n^{3+\sigma}$, one can find a lattice $L$ for which $L, K$ form an $\eta$-smooth cover. Moreover, this property is satisfied with high probability for a lattice chosen randomly, according to the Haar-Siegel measure on the space of lattices. Similar results hold for random construction A lattices, albeit with a worse power law, provided the ratio between the covering and packing radii of $\mathbb{Z}^n$ with respect to $K$ is at most polynomial in $n$. Our proofs rely on a recent breakthrough by Dhar and Dvir on the discrete Kakeya problem.

math.NT↗

arXiv2023

Horospherical dynamics in invariant subvarieties

We consider the horospherical foliation on any invariant subvariety in the moduli space of translation surfaces. This foliation can be described dynamically as the strong unstable foliation for the geodesic flow on the invariant subvariety, and geometrically, it is induced by the canonical splitting of $\mathbb{C}$-valued cohomology into its real and imaginary parts. We define a natural volume form on the leaves of this foliation, and define horospherical measures as those measures whose conditional measures on leaves are given by the volume form. We show that the natural measures on invariant subvarieties, and in particular, the Masur-Veech measures on strata, are horospherical. We show that these measures are the unique horospherical measures giving zero mass to the set of surfaces with no horizontal saddle connections, extending work of Lindenstrauss-Mirzakhani and Hamenstaedt for principal strata. We describe all the leaf closures for the horospherical foliation.

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arXiv2023

Horocycle dynamics in rank one invariant subvarieties I: weak measure classification and equidistribution

Let M be an invariant subvariety in the moduli space of translation surfaces. We contribute to the study of the dynamical properties of the horocycle flow on M. In the context of dynamics on the moduli space of translation surfaces, we introduce the notion of a 'weak classification of horocycle invariant measures' and we study its consequences. Among them, we prove genericity of orbits and related uniform equidistribution results, asymptotic equidistribution of sequences of pushed measures, and counting of saddle connection holonomies. As an example, we show that invariant varieties of rank one, Rel-dimension one and related spaces obtained by adding marked points satisfy the 'weak classification of horocycle invariant measures'. Our results extend prior results obtained by Eskin-Masur-Schmoll, Eskin-Marklof-Morris, and Bainbridge-Smillie-Weiss.

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arXiv2023

Stellar foliation structures on surfaces

We introduce the notion of a zebra structure on a surface, which is a more general geometric structure than a translation structure or a dilation structure that still gives a directional foliation of every slope. We are concerned with the question of when a free homotopy class of loops (or a homotopy class of arcs relative to endpoints) has a canonical representative or family of representatives, either as closed leaves or chains of leaves joining singularities. We prove that such representations exist if the surface has a triangulation with edges joining singularities (in the zebra structure sense). In the special case when the surface is closed, we describe several geometric conditions that are equivalent to the existence of canonical representations in every homotopy class of closed curves.

math.GT↗

arXiv2023

On the ergodic theory of the real Rel foliation

Let $\mathcal{H}$ be a stratum of translation surfaces with at least two singularities, let $m_{\mathcal{H}}$ denote the Masur-Veech measure on $\mathcal{H}$, and let $Z_0$ be a flow on $(\mathcal{H}, m_{\mathcal{H}})$ obtained by integrating a Rel vector field. We prove that $Z_0$ is mixing of all orders, and in particular is ergodic. We also characterize the ergodicity of flows defined by Rel vector field, for more general spaces $(\mathcal{L}, m_{\mathcal{L}})$, where $\mathcal{L} \subset \mathcal{H}$ is an orbit-closure for the action of $G = \mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb{R})$ (i.e., an affine invariant subvariety) and $m_{\mathcal{L}}$ is the natural measure. Our results are conditional on a forthcoming measure classification result of Brown, Eskin, Filip and Rodriguez-Hertz.We also prove that the entropy of the action of $Z_0$ on $(\mathcal{L}, m_{\mathcal{L})$ has zero entropy.

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arXiv2022

Geometric and arithmetic aspects of approximation vectors

Let $\theta\in\mathbb{R}^d$. We associate three objects to each approximation $(p,q)\in \mathbb{Z}^d\times \mathbb{N}$ of $\theta$: the projection of the lattice $\mathbb{Z}^{d+1}$ to the hyperplane of the first $d$ coordinates along the approximating vector $(p,q)$; the displacement vector $(p - q\theta)$; and the residue classes of the components of the $(d + 1)$-tuple $(p, q)$ modulo all primes. All of these have been studied in connection with Diophantine approximation problems. We consider the asymptotic distribution of all of these quantities, properly rescaled, as $(p, q)$ ranges over the best approximants and $\epsilon$-approximants of $\theta$, and describe limiting measures on the relevant spaces, which hold for Lebesgue a.e. $\theta$. We also consider a similar problem for vectors $\theta$ whose components, together with 1, span a totally real number field of degree $d+1$. Our technique involve recasting the problem as an equidistribution problem for a cross-section of a one-parameter flow on an adelic space, which is a fibration over the space of $(d + 1)$-dimensional lattices. Our results generalize results of many previous authors, to higher dimensions and to joint equidistribution.

math.NT↗

arXiv2020

Classification and statistics of cut and project sets

We define Ratner-Marklof-Strombergsson measures. These are probability measures supported on cut-and-project sets in R^d (d > 1) which are invariant and ergodic for the action of the groups ASL_d(R) or SL_d(R). We classify the measures that can arise in terms of algebraic groups and homogeneous dynamics. Using the classification, we prove analogues of results of Siegel, Weil and Rogers about a Siegel summation formula and identities and bounds involving higher moments. We deduce results about asymptotics, with error estimates, of point-counting and patch-counting for typical cut-and-project sets.

math.DS↗

arXiv2020

New bounds on the density of lattice coverings

We obtain new upper bounds on the minimal density of lattice coverings of Euclidean space by dilates of a convex body K. We also obtain bounds on the probability (with respect to the natural Haar-Siegel measure on the space of lattices) that a randomly chosen lattice L satisfies that L+K is all of space. As a step in the proof, we utilize and strengthen results on the discrete Kakeya problem.

math.NT↗

arXiv2020

Tremors and horocycle dynamics on the moduli space of translation surfaces

We introduce a "tremor" deformation on strata of translation surfaces. Using it, we give new examples of behaviors of horocycle flow orbits in strata of translation surfaces. In the genus two stratum with two singular points, we find orbits which are generic for a measure whose support is strictly contained in the orbit and find orbits which are not generic for any measure. We also describe a horocycle orbit-closure whose Hausdorff dimension is not an integer.

math.DS↗

arXiv2020

Rel leaves of the Arnoux-Yoccoz surfaces

We analyze the rel leaves of the Arnoux-Yoccoz translation surfaces. We show that for any genus $g \geq 3$, the leaf is dense in the connected component of the stratum $H(g -1 , g -1)$ to which it belongs, and the one-sided imaginary-rel trajectory of the surface is divergent. For one surface on this trajectory, namely the Arnoux-Yoccoz surface itself, the horizontal foliation is invariant under a pseudo-Anosov map (and in particular is uniquely ergodic), but for all other surfaces, the horizontal foliation is completely periodic. The appendix proves a field theoretic result needed for denseness of the leaf: for any $n \geq 3$, the field extension of the rationals obtained by adjoining a root of $X^n-X^{n-1}-\ldots-X-1$ has no totally real subfields other than the rationals.

math.DS↗

arXiv2020

Random walks on tori and normal numbers in self similar sets

We study random walks on a $d$-dimensional torus by affine expanding maps whose linear parts commute. Assuming an irrationality condition on their translation parts, we prove that the Haar measure is the unique stationary measure. We deduce that if $K \subset \mathbb{R}^d$ is an attractor of a finite iterated function system of $n\geq 2$ maps of the form $x \mapsto D^{-r_i} x + t_i \ (i=1, \ldots, n)$, where $D$ is an expanding $d\times d$ integer matrix, and is the same for all the maps, and $r_{i} \in\mathbb{N}$, under an irrationality condition on the translation parts $t_i$, almost every point in $K$ (w.r.t. any Bernoulli measure) has an equidistributed orbit under the map $x\mapsto Dx$ (multiplication mod $\mathbb{Z}^{d}$). In the one-dimensional case, this conclusion amounts to normality to base $D$. Thus for example, almost every point in an irrational dilation of the middle-thirds Cantor set is normal to base 3.

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arXiv2019

Singular vectors on manifolds and fractals

We generalize Khintchine's method of constructing totally irrational singular vectors and linear forms. The main result of the paper shows existence of totally irrational vectors and linear forms with large uniform Diophantine exponents on certain subsets of $\mathbb{R}^n$, in particular on any analytic submanifold of $\mathbb{R}^n$ of dimension $\ge 2$ which is not contained in a proper rational affine subspace.

math.NT↗

arXiv2019

Effective counting on translation surfaces

We prove an effective version of a celebrated result of Eskin and Masur: for any affine invariant manifold of translation surfaces, almost every translation surface has quadratic growth for the saddle connection holonomy vectors, with an effective bound of the error. We also provide effective versions of counting in sectors and in ellipses.

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