The circular dispersion spectrum (Q1342389): Difference between revisions

Let \(\vartheta\) be an irrational number and \(N\) a positive integer. The \(N\) fractional parts \(\{n \vartheta\}\), \(n=1, 2,\ldots, N\), divide the one-dimensional torus into \(N\) arcs. Denote the length of the longest of these arcs by \(d_ N\) and define the circular dispersion constant of \(\vartheta\) of \(C(\vartheta)= \limsup_{N\to\infty} Nd_ N\). The set of numbers \(C(\vartheta)\) is called the circular dispersion spectrum. This definition is similar to that of the dispersion spectrum introduced by the reviewer [Topics in classical number theory, Colloq. Math. Soc. János Bolyai 34, 1163-1208 (1984; Zbl 0547.10045)] and studied e.g. by \textit{H. G. Kopetzky} and \textit{F. J. Schnitzer} [Monatsh. Math. 112, 115- 124 (1991; Zbl 0741.11037)]. It is shown that \({1\over 3} (4+ \sqrt {5})\) is the smallest accumulation point of the circular dispersion spectrum, and all points of the spectrum smaller than this accumulation point are determined. The two smallest elements of the circular dispersion spectrum are \(C( {1\over 2}( \sqrt {5}+1))= 2/\sqrt {5}+1\) and \(C(\sqrt {2})= 3/ \sqrt {8}+1\).