Entropy and quasimorphisms (Q2289403)

Let \(M\) be a compact connected oriented surface \(S\) endowed with an area form. Let Diff\((S,\mathrm{area})\), \(\operatorname{Diff}_0 (S,\mathrm{area})\) be groups, where the first group is the group area-preserving diffeomorphisms of \(S\), and the second group is the group of area-preserving diffeomorphisms of \(S\) isotopic to identity. If \(S\) has a boundary, then it is assumed that diffeomorphisms are the identity in some fixed neighbourhood of the boundary. The authors construct homogeneous quasimorphisms on \(\operatorname{Diff}(S,\mathrm{area})\), \(\operatorname{Diff}_0(S,\mathrm{area})\), and \(\operatorname{Ham}(S)\) generalizing the constructions of \textit{J.-M. Gambaudo} and \textit{É. Ghys} [Ergodic Theory Dyn. Syst. 24, No. 5, 1591--1617 (2004; Zbl 1088.37018)] and \textit{L. Polterovich} [NATO Sci. Ser. II, Math. Phys. Chem. 217, 417--438 (2006; Zbl 1089.53066)]. They prove that there are infinitely many linearly independent homogeneous quasimorphisms on \(\operatorname{Diff}(S,\mathrm{area})\), \(\operatorname{Diff}_0(S,\mathrm{area})\), and \(\operatorname{Ham}(S)\) whose absolute values bound from below the topological entropy. In cases when \(S\) has a positive genus, the quasimorphisms constructed on \(\operatorname{Ham}(S)\) are \(C^0\)-continuous. Also, a bi-invariant metric on these groups, called the entropy metric, is defined and it is shown unbounded. In particular, the authors reprove that the autonomous metric on \(\operatorname{Ham}(S)\) is unbounded.