Entropy theory for cross-sections (Q2379371)

W. Ambrose proved that any ergodic Borel flow on a Borel probability space \(X\) can be represented as a flow under a function by constructing a cross section \(Y\). A formula of Abramov connects the entropyof the flow to that of the transformation of \(Y\) which maps each point to the point of its first return to \(Y\). Even for actions of 2-dimensional Euclidean space there is no analogue of the return map, and hence no analogue for the Abramov formula. The purpose of this paper is to develop the technique of cross sections for probability preserving free actions of a class of amenable groups. This class contains all nilpotent Lie groups. In particular, the author proves a generalization of the Abramov formula. As an application, he answers a question of J. P. Thouvenot about completely positive entropy actions.