Intransitive sectional-Anosov flows on 3-manifolds (Q2274335)

The authors consider a generalization of Anosov flows called sectional-Anosov flows. In this paper they restrict their attention to dynamics on a compact three-dimensional Riemannian manifold. The main object of their interest here is a structure called Venice mask. A sectional-Anosov flow is said to be a Venice mask if it has dense periodic orbits but is not transitive. It is known that Venice masks with a single singularity exist in dimension three. The authors ask if Venice masks with many more singularities exist. The main result is the following. For each positive integer \(n\) there is a Venice mask \(X_n\) with \(n\) singularities that is supported on some compact three-manifold \(M\). In addition, the maximal invariant set of \(X_n\) can be decomposed as a union of two homoclinic classes. Furthermore, there is a Venice mask \(Y_n\) supported on some compact three-dimensional manifold \(N\) such that the maximal invariant set of \(Y_n\) is a union of \(n + 1\) homoclinic classes. In both cases the intersection of two different homoclinic classes of the maximal invariant set is contained in the closure of the union of unstable manifolds of the singularities. Together with their proof the authors also provide several intricate drawings that include Venice masks with three, four and five singularities.