Expansions in non-integer bases: lower, middle and top orders (Q1011651)

For \(q\in(1,2)\) it is known that each \(x\in[0,\tfrac1{q-1}]\) has an expansion of the form \(x=\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_nq^{-n}\) with \(a_n\in\{0,1\}\). On the one hand it was proven by \textit{P. Erdős, I. Joó} and \textit{V. Komornik} [Bull. Soc. Math. Fr. 118, No. 3, 377--390 (1990; Zbl 0721.11005)] that if \(q<\frac{1+\sqrt5}2\), then each \(x\in(0,\tfrac1{q-1})\) has a continuum of such expansion. On the other hand for \(q>\frac{1+\sqrt5}2\) it was shown by \textit{P. Glendinning} and \textit{N. Sidorov} [Math. Res. Lett. 8, No. 4, 535--543 (2001; Zbl 1002.11009)] that there exist infinitely many \(x\) having a unique expansion. The present paper studies those parameter \(q\) for which there exists \(x\) having a fixed finite number \(m>1\) of expansions in base \(q\). In particular, the author starts with showing that for \(\frac{1+\sqrt5}2<q<q_2=1.71...\) each \(x\) has either one or infinitely many different expansions. On the other hand, for each \(m\in\mathbb{N}\) there exists a \(\gamma_m>0\) such that for \(2-\gamma_m<q<2\) there exists an \(x\) with exactly \(m\) expansions. Along the way the used tools comprise the Komornik-Loreti constant [\textit{V. Komornik} and \textit{P. Loreti}, Am. Math. Mon. 105, No. 7, 636--639 (1998; Zbl 0918.11006)], branching and bifurcations, ``thick'' Cantor sets, and Hausdorff dimension.