Unique ergodicity for foliations in \(\mathbb {P}^2\) with an invariant curve (Q1692195)

Consider a singular holomorphic foliation \(\mathcal{F}\) in the complex projective plane \(\mathbb{P}^2\), admitting a projective line as the unique invariant algebraic curve. Assume that the foliation is generic in the sense that its singular points are hyperbolic. The main result is as follows: there is a unique positive \(dd^c\)-closed \((1, 1)\)-current of mass 1 which is directed by the foliation and this is the current of integration on the invariant line. A unique ergodicity theorem for the distribution of leaves follows: for any leaf \(L\) of \(\mathcal{F}\), appropriate averages of \(L\) converge to the current of integration on the invariant line. As the authors explain, the result is surprising. Indeed, for generic foliations in \(\mathbb{P}^2\) having affine degree \(d\), the leaves (except the line at infinity) are dense in \(\mathbb{P}^2\). So one could expect that the leaves spend a significant amount of hyperbolic time in every open set and that there should be a fat \(dd^c\)-closed non-closed current with support \(\mathbb{P}^2\). Moreover, in the dynamics of holomorphic maps the canonical invariant currents and measures are not too singular; in particular, they give no mass to analytic sets. A second result enriches the description. Let \(\mathcal{F}\) be a singular holomorphic foliation in \(\mathbb{P}^2\) whose singularities are all hyperbolic. Then either (1) \(\mathcal{F}\) has no invariant algebraic curve and then it has a unique positive \(dd^c\)-closed invariant \((1, 1)\)-current of mass 1; moreover, this unique current is not closed, or (2) \(\mathcal{F}\) admits a finite number of invariant algebraic curves and any invariant positive \(dd^c\)-closed \((1, 1)\)-current is a combination of currents of integration on these curves; in particular, all invariant positive \(dd^c\)-closed \((1, 1)\)-currents are closed. \smallskip The results use developments of the authors on the theory of densities for currents, see [\textit{T.-C. Dinh} and \textit{N. Sibony}, J. Algebr. Geom. 27, No. 3, 497--551 (2018; Zbl 1393.32017)]. Foliations on compact Kähler surface with one or more invariant curves are also considered.