Geometric properties of the Markov and Lagrange spectra (Q1643389)

Denote by \(L\) the Lagrange spectrum and by \(M\) the Markoff spectrum. Both are closed subsets of the half line \([\sqrt 5,\infty)\) and \(L\) is a subset of \(M\). The Hall ray \([c,\infty)\) is the biggest half line contained in \(L\) and it is the same for \(M\). While \(L\cap [\sqrt 5,3)=M\cap [\sqrt 5,3)\) consists of an increasing sequence with limit \(3\), the sets \(L\cap (3,c)\) and \(M\cap (3,c)\), which are distinct, are not so well known. The set \((M\setminus L)\cap [\sqrt 5,3)\) have recently been investigated in preprints from the a uthor and \textit{C. Matheus} [``\(HD(M\setminus L)>0.353\)'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:1703.04302}; ``Markov spectrum near Freiman's isolated points in \(M\setminus L\)'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:1802.02454}; ``New numbers in \(M\setminus L\) beyond \(\sqrt{12}\): solution to a conjecture of Cusick'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:1803.01230}]. In the paper under review, the author goes much further and proves a number of deep new results related with the Hausdorff dimensions of \(L\cap (-\infty,t)\) and \(M\cap (-\infty,t)\) for \(t\in{\mathbb{R}}\). In particular, he answers several questions raised by \textit{Y. Bugeaud} [Unif. Distrib. Theory 3, No. 2, 9--20 (2008; Zbl 1212.11071)] on these sets. He proves that the Lagrange spectrum \(L\) is a perfect set: the derivative \(L'\) is equal to the second derivative \(L''\); the question whether \(M''=M'\) is yet unsolved. Several other open problems are stated. One main tool is from a joint work of the author with \textit{J.-C. Yoccoz} [Ann. Math. (2) 154, No. 1, 45--96 (2001; Zbl 1195.37015)] on regular Cantor sets.