On nonuniqueness of geodesics in asymptotic Teichmüller space (Q2012962)

Let \(S\) be a hyperbolic Riemann surface. The asymptotic Teichmüller space \(AT(S)\) is the space of all asymptotic equivalence classes of quasiconformal maps on \(S\). The space \(AT(S)\) is a quotient space of the Teichmüller space \(T(S)\) of \(S\) and is of interest only when \(T(S)\) has infinite dimension. Let \(\Delta\) be the open unit disk in the complex plane. In the paper under review the author studies the geodesics joining two points in \(AT(\Delta)\). A point in \(AT(\Delta)\) is said to be substantial if every \(p\) in \(\partial \Delta\) is a substantial boundary point for the point. The set of all non-substantial points is open and dense in \(AT(\Delta)\). The author shows that for every non-substantial point in \(AT(\Delta)\), there are infinitely many geodesics joining it to the basepoint. The geodesic joining a substantial point to the basepoint is not necessarily unique. The author gives a certain substantial point joined to the basepoint by infinitely many geodesics. As for straight lines, the author shows that for any two points in \(AT(\Delta)\), there are infinitely many straight lines containing the points. The author also shows that there exist closed geodesics in \(AT(\Delta)\) and the spheres are not convex. Furthermore, similar results are discussed in the tangent space \(AZ(\Delta)\) of \(AT(\Delta)\).