Geometric differentiability of Riemann's non-differentiable function (Q2309123)

The function \(\phi\) defined via \[\phi(x)=\sum_{k\in\mathbb Z}\frac{e^{-4\pi^2ik^2x}-1}{-4\pi^2k^2}\] can be seen as a complex-valued counterpart of Riemann's function \(R(x)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty\sin n^2x/n^2\), \(x\in[0,2\pi)\), being differentiable only on a certain subset of rationals [\textit{J. Gerver}, Am. J. Math. 92, 33--55 (1970; Zbl 0203.05904)], despite continuous. Indeed, \(R\) is a rescaled real part of \(\phi\) plus a linear term. At the same time, \(\phi\) describes a curve of some importance in connection with the so-called vortex filament equation [\textit{F. de la Hoz} and \textit{L. Vega}, Nonlinearity 27, No. 12, 3031--3057 (2014; Zbl 1339.35300)], as elaborated on in the introduction. Having in mind its connection to \(R\), the author launched a project of investigating geometry of the graph of \(\phi\) in the plane. The article under review is a part of this research project. The main result says that \(\phi\) does not have a tangent line in \(\mathbb R^2\) at any point of \(\phi(\mathbb R)\). This is specified by showing that: (1)~at any \(x=p/(2\pi q)\), \(p\) and \(q\) being coprime integers, if \(q\equiv0,1,3\) mod \(4\), then \(\phi\) has two different unilateral tangents at \(x\); (2)~if \(q\equiv2\) mod~\(4\), on the other hand, \(\phi\) forms a spiralling pattern at \(x\), thus, for any \(\theta\in[0,2\pi)\) there are sequences \(r_n\searrow0\), \(s_n\nearrow0\), such that \(\arg{(\phi(x+r_n)-\phi(x))}\to\theta\leftarrow\arg{(\phi(x+s_n)-\phi(x))}\) as \(n\to\infty\). Both (1) and (2) are derived as consequences of a computational evidence on the behaviour of \(\phi\) at rational multiples of \(1/(2\pi)\) given in another work by the author [C. R., Math., Acad. Sci. Paris 357, No. 11--12, 846--850 (2019; Zbl 1479.26005)]. The heart of this work is section five where it is shown that (3)~at every \(x\) such that \(2\pi x\notin\mathbb Q\) there exists an open interval \(I\) such that for every \(\theta\in I\) there is a sequence \(r_n\to0\) with \(\arg{(\phi(x+r_n)-\phi(x))}\to\theta\) as \(n\to\infty\). In the (extensive) proof, (1) and (2) are used with rational approximation of \(x\) with continued fractions. All explanations are very detailed and a number of helpful illustrations is provided.