Ping-pong groups and counting functions (Q2380714)

The study of discrete groups of isometries of symmetric spaces of non-compact type is an active domain of research, constantly searching for new explicit examples. Contrary to the case of rank 1, in higher ranks there are few examples of such discrete subgroups. One observes a phenomenon of rigidity which de facto restricts the existence of such subgroups. For example, a recent result of \textit{J.-F. Quint} [Geom. Dedicata 113, 1--19 (2005; Zbl 1077.22016)] gives that the only discrete convex co-compact subgroups of a real linear simple Lie group of rank \(\geq 2\) are the uniform lattices. In the paper under review the author studies the asymptotic properties of a large class of discrete subgroups of the real linear group, called the ping-pong groups. He describes their action on the real projective space and the behavior at infinity of their counting function.