An \(L^1\) counting problem in ergodic theory (Q2565920)

Let \((X,{\mathcal B},\mu)\) be a probability space, and \(T:X\to X\) an invertible measure preserving transformation. For \(f\in L_+^1(\mu)\) the function \[ N_n(f) (x)=\#\left\{k:f(T^kx)/k> 1/n\right\} \] is finite a.e. The question of whether for \(f\in L^1_+(\mu)\), \(\sup_n(N_n (f)(x)/n)<\infty\), \(\mu\) a.e., has arisen [see for example \textit{R. L. Jones, J. M. Rosenblatt} and \textit{M. Wierdl}, Can. J. Math. 51, No. 5, 996--1019 (1999; Zbl 1030.37002)]. It is known to converge for \(f\in L^p_+(\mu)\) for \(p>1\) or \(f\in L\log L\). Here it is shown that for any invertible ergodic system \((X,{\mathcal B}, \mu, T)\), there exists \(f\in L_+^1(\mu)\) such that \(\sup_n(N_n(f) (x)/n)= \infty\) a.e. As a consequence, Bourgain's return time theorem does not hold for the case of pairs of \((L^1,L^1)\) functions.