Generic expanding maps without absolutely continuous invariant \(\sigma\)-finite measure (Q2474584)

The existence of type III transformations (measurable transformations of a Lebesgue space \((X,\lambda)\) with the property that there is no \(\sigma\)-finite invariant measure absolutely continuous with respect to \(\lambda\)) was conjectured by \textit{P. R. Halmos} [Ann. Math. (2) 48, 735--754 (1947; Zbl 0029.35202)] and established by \textit{D. S. Ornstein} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 66, 297--300 (1960; Zbl 0154.30502)]. In this paper a wide circle of results on particular examples and existence questions is brought to a definitive conclusion by showing that a \(C^1\)-generic expanding map of the circle is type III with respect to the Lebesgue measure. The sharpness of this result is illuminated by the fact that \(C^{1+\alpha}\) expanding maps have absolutely continuous invariant probability measures.