On translation lengths of Anosov maps on the curve graph of the torus (Q2230979)

The Farey graph is a graph whose vertices correspond to rational numbers, admitting an action of \(\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb{Z})\) via the fractional linear action on the reals. Geometric properties of matrices can often be characterised via this action. For example, matrices have trace \(>2\) (i.e. are Anosov) exactly if the translation length on the Farey graph is positive. The main result of this article is that every Anosov element of \(\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb{Z})\) has an invariant geodesic axis in the Farey graph, and therefore acts with integral, positive translation length. The proof is constructive, and allows to explicitly identify the axis and compute translations lengths. Interpreting the Farey graph as the curve graph of the punctured torus, this is a concrete version of a more general result of [\textit{B. H. Bowditch}, Invent. Math. 171, No. 2, 281--300 (2008; Zbl 1185.57011)]: every pseudo-Anosov mapping class has a power that leaves invariant a geodesic axis in the curve graph. Since translation lengths of pseudo-Anosovs are in general rational [\textit{E. Kin} and \textit{H. Shin}, Groups Geom. Dyn. 13, No. 3, 883--907 (2019; Zbl 1472.57018)], and not integral, that is the best general result one can hope for. As applications, the authors characterise the matrices realising the minimal possible translation length, compare the translation length on the Farey graph to that on the hyperbolic plane, and give estimates for the growth of the number of Anosov matrices which have the same translation length on the Farey graph.