\(\Lambda\)-configuration and embedding (Q2210781)

This article deals with \(\Lambda\)-configurations for rectifiable curves in the affine space \(\mathbb R^3\). Given such a curve \(\gamma : [0,1]\to \mathbb R^3\) and an arbitrary plane \(P\), a \(\Lambda\)-configuration is a pair of planes \(P_1, P_2\) that are parallel, orthogonal to \(P\) and such that there exist \(0\leq r<s<t \leq 1\) with \(\gamma(r)\) and \(\gamma(t)\) belonging to \(P_1\) whereas \(\gamma(s)\) belongs to \(P_2\). Such configurations, at least in the planar case \(\gamma \subset \mathbb R^2\) have been used in [\textit{P. Coulton} and \textit{Y. Movshovich}, Geom. Dedicata 123, 79--88 (2006; Zbl 1119.52010)] for their proof of a conjecture of \textit{A. S. Besicovitch} [Math. Gaz. 49, 286--288 (1965; Zbl 0134.40604)]. In this article, it is proven that if \(\gamma\) is rectifiable, then such a pair always exists. Moreover, it is unique if the orthogonal projection of \(\gamma\) on \(P\) is 1-to-1 and has as image an open simple curve. A variation, with similar results, is studied, where instead of parallel planes one look at intersecting planes -- this is called a \(\Lambda\)-embedding. The methods rely on earlier work on planar curves, elementary affine geometry and continuity arguments.