EVENT DETAILS AND ABSTRACT

Title: Gap Distributions and Homogeneous Dynamics
Speaker: Jayadev Athreya
Speaker Info: University of Illinois
Brief Description:
Special Note:
Abstract:

The Farey sequence F(Q) is the collection of fractions between [0,1] whose denominator (when written in lowest terms) is at most Q. As Q grows, these points become uniformly distributed in the interval, so in some sense, look `random'. However, when you look at the gaps between them, they do not behave like those for uniformly distributed random variables, but instead follow an unusual law known as Hall'sDistribution. We will explain a proof of this result that uses horocycle flow on the space of lattices SL(2,R)/SL(2, Z), and, time permitting discuss how this picture can be generalized to understanding gapsbetween directions of saddle connections on Veech surfaces. This talk will include elements from joint work with Y. Cheung, joint work with J. Chaika, and joint work with J. Chaika and S. Lelievre.