Linnik's problems and maximal entropy methods (Q2274051)

A famous theorem established by \textit{Yu. V. Linnik} [Ergodic properties of algebraic fields. Translated from the Russian by M. S. Keane. Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzgebiete. Band 45. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer-Verlag (1968; Zbl 0162.06801)] states that the set of integer points on a sphere of radius \(d\), that is, the set of integer solutions \((x,y,z)\) satisfying \(x^2+y^2+z^2=d\), becomes equidistributed (after normalization) on the sphere as \(d \to \infty\). Linnik's original proof proceeds by an ingenious method which he called ``ergodic method''. Later \textit{W. Duke} [Invent. Math. 92, No. 1, 73--90 (1988; Zbl 0628.10029)] refined this result. In the present paper, the author gives an alternative proof of Linnik's theorem using dynamical methods which were recently developed by \textit{M. Einsiedler} et al. [Ann. Math. (2) 173, No. 2, 815--885 (2011; Zbl 1248.37009)]. The key point of the proof is that one can show that the limit measure must have maximal entropy under a certain action, which then allows one to apply general results characterizing measures of maximal entropy.