Ergodic optimization (Q2503195)

Let \(T:X\to X\) be a map, and let \(f:X\to{\mathbb R}\) be a function. The problems addressed in this paper are for which invariant measures \(\int f\,d\mu\) attains its maximum, and for which points \(\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{1}{n} \sum_{j=0}^{n-1}f(T^{j}x)\) is maximal. In fact, four similar but different values to be maximized are presented. It is proved that for a compact metric space~\(X\), a continuous map~\(T\) and an upper semi-continuous function~\(f\) these four maxima coincide (in particular these maxima exist). For certain uniformly hyperbolic systems the author proves that generically the maximizing measure is unique. Moreover, in certain cases it is proved that this maximizing measure is strictly ergodic. The paper is nice and well written. It can be recommended to anyone interested in maximizing (or minimizing) measures.