Length functions of Hitchin representations (Q371268)

Let \(S\) be a closed connected oriented surface of genus \(g \geq 2\) and a representation \(\rho : \pi_1 (S) \rightarrow \mathrm{PSL}_n (\mathbb{R})\) inside a Hitchin component. Such representations are faithful, discrete and for every non trivial element \(\alpha \in \pi_1 (S)\), the element \(\rho (\gamma)\) is diagonalizable with distinct real eigenvalues \(| \lambda_i^\rho (\gamma)| \), as shown by results of \textit{F. Labourie} [Invent. Math. 165, No. 1, 51--114 (2006; Zbl 1103.32007)] . In the classical \(n=2\) case, such a representation \(r\) gives an hyperbolic metric on \(S\) and for every closed oriented curve \(\gamma\) on \(S\), the length of a curve \(\gamma\) is given by \(l^r (\gamma) = \frac 12 \mathrm{log} | \lambda_1^r (\gamma) |\) where \(|\lambda_1| >1 \). W. Thurston extended the length function to the space of measured laminations, and \textit{F. Bonahon} [Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér. (4) 30, No. 2, 205--240 (1997; Zbl 0887.57018)] extended it further to the space of Hölder geodesic currents to develop a differential calculus. In the \(n \geq 3\) case, one can generalize this construction by defining for \(\rho\) a Hitchin representation, \(n\) different length functions \( l_i^\rho (\gamma) = \mathrm{log} | \lambda_i^\rho (\gamma)|\) for \(\gamma\) an unoriented closed curve on \(S\). The main result of this article is the construction of continuous extensions of \(l_i^\rho\) on the space of Hölder geodesic currents. Such functions are constructed by defining for each \(i \in [1 , n ]\) a 1-form \(\omega_i\) along the leaves of the geodesic foliation of the unit tangent bundle \(T^1 S\), using the eigenbundle decomposition of the \(\mathbb R^n\)-bundle over \(T^1 S\) given by the representation \(\rho\). Then for \(\alpha \in \mathcal{C}^{\mathrm{Hol}} (S)\) the value \(l_i^\rho (\alpha)\) is given by integrating \(\omega_i\) against \(\alpha\). The functions \(l_i^\rho\) are shown to satisfy several properties, namely that the sum of all \(n\) length functions is equal to \(0\) and satisfies a symmetry with respect to the orientation reversing involution of \(T^1 S\). Moreover the restriction of \(l_i^\rho\) to the space of measured laminations is tangentiable. As an application of the continuity of the \(l_i^\rho\), the author gives an asymptotic estimate for the eigenvalues.