Bernoulli disjointness (Q2037841): Difference between revisions

Let \(G\) be an infinite discrete group. A \(G\)-flow (or a \(G\)-dynamical system) is a compact Hausdorff space \(X\) equipped with an action of \(G\) by homeomorphisms. In this excellent article, that generalizes a result of \textit{H. Furstenberg} [Math. Syst. Theory 1, 1--49 (1967; Zbl 0146.28502)], the authors show that for every infinite discrete group \(G\), the Bernoulli flow \(2^{G}:=\{0,1\}^{G}\) is disjoint from every minimal \(G\)-flow. They prove, among many other beautiful results, that for an infinite discrete group \(G\): (i) The Bernoulli flow \(2^{G}\) is disjoint from every minimal \(G\)-flow; (ii) \(\mathfrak{A}(G)\neq \ell^{\infty}(G)\). Assume now that \(G\) is a countable infinite group. In this case the authors prove the following statements: (i) For every minimal, metrizable \(G\)-flow \(X\), there exists a minimal, metrizable, and free \(G\)-flow \(Y\) such that \(X\perp Y\); (ii) There exist continuum many mutually disjoint, free, metrizable, minimal \(G\)-flows. The authors develop a general method to construct free minimal flows from essentially free ones. It is proved that a large class of countable groups admit essentially free proximal flows. Furthermore, every countable infinite conjugacy classes group admits a free, metrizable, proximal flow. The algebra \(\mathfrak{A}(G)\) generated by the minimal functions is studied in detail. For an infinite discrete group \(G\), the authors prove that \(\mathfrak{A}(G)\neq \ell^{\infty}(G)\). By generalizing the results by \textit{S. Glasner} and \textit{B. Weiss} [Isr. J. Math. 44, 345--360 (1983; Zbl 0528.46007)] to arbitrary countable groups, the authors characterize the interpolation sets for the algebra \(\mathfrak{A}(G)\). The following theorem is proved: Theorem. Let \(G\) be a countable infinite discrete group and let \(B\subseteq G\). Then \(B\) is shattered by \(B\) if and only if \(B\) is small. Moreover, if \(B\) is small, then there exists a minimal subshift \(X\subseteq \Omega\) which shatters \(B\). In the last section, the authors use their methods to produce minimal flows with large groups of automorphisms for every countable group.