Ergodic solenoidal homology: Realization theorem (Q2430675)

Any closed oriented \(k\)-dimensional submanifold \(N\) of a smooth compact connected \(n\)-manifold \(M\) defines an element of \(H_k(M,\mathbb Z)\), and this may be seen as integration of the restriction to \(N\) of differential \(k\)-forms on \(M\). An immersion of \(N\) into \(M\) also defines a homology class by integration of pull-backs of \(k\)-forms. However, there are topological obstructions found by \textit{R. Thom} [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris 236, 453-454, 573--575 (1953; Zbl 0050.39502)] that prevent all integer homology classes from being realised in this way. Any integer homology class does have a realisation by topological \(k\)-chains, and the elements of \(H_k(M,\mathbb R)\) are realised as real formal combinations of \(k\)-cells. On the other hand, it is often useful to have explicit realisations of real homology classes. \textit{S. Schwartzman} [Ann. Math. (2) 66, 270--284 (1957; Zbl 0207.22603)] gave a limiting procedure by which almost every curve arising as a solution of a differential equation admitting an invariant ergodic probability measure that is embedded in \(M\) may define an element of \(H_1(M,\mathbb R)\). The authors have extended this to higher dimensions. \textit{D. Ruelle} and \textit{D. Sullivan} [Topology 14, 319--327 (1975; Zbl 0321.58019)] defined geometric currents in each dimension \(k\), \(0\leq k\leq n\) by using oriented \(k\)-laminations embedded in \(M\) with a transverse measure, and used them to integrate \(k\)-forms on each leaf of the foliation and thence over the whole foliation using the transverse measure. This construction applied in each flow-box can be extended using a partition of unity to produce an element dependent only on the homology class of the \(k\)-form. Here more general Ruelle--Sullivan currents are considered, by allowing immersions of abstract oriented solenoids. These generalized geometric currents give a general realisation theorem: every real homology class in \(H_k(M,\mathbb R)\) can be realized by a generalized current using embedded oriented, minimal, uniquely ergodic solenoids. Several further results give a fuller explanation of why solenoids are needed to achieve such a realisation result, and the authors go on to formulate a ``solenoidal'' Hodge conjecture concerning representation of classes in \(H^{p,p}(M)\). For part II see [Aust. J. Math. Anal. Appl. 6, No.~1, Article 11, 8 p., electronic only (2009; Zbl 1175.37015)].