On representations of integers in thin subgroups of \(\text{SL}_2(\mathbb Z)\) (Q607666)

Let \(\Gamma \leq \text{SL}(2, \mathbb{Z})\) be a free, finitely generated Fuchsian group of the second kind with no parabolics, and fix two primitive vectors \(v_0 , w_0 \in \mathbb{Z}^2 \setminus \{0\}\). This paper investigates the arithmetic properties of the set \(\mathcal{S}\) of all integers occurring in \(v_0\gamma \,^tw_0\), for \(\gamma \in \Gamma\). For instance, if \(v_0 = w_0 = (0, 1)\) the set \(\mathcal{S}\) contains the lower right entries of \(\gamma\). If the limit set of \(\Gamma\) has Hausdorff dimension \(\delta > 0.99995\) (that is, \(\Gamma\) may be thin, but not too thin), it is shown that \(\mathcal{S}\) contains almost all of its admissible primes, that is, those not excluded by local (congruence) obstructions. Moreover, the exceptional set \(\mathfrak{E}(N)\) of integers \(|n| < N\) which are locally admissible, but fail to be globally represented is bounded by \(N^{1-\delta}\). The ingredients of the proof include a variant of the circle method, new bilinear forms estimates and Gamburds 5/6-th spectral gap in infinite-volume. Parts of the analysis are carried out in the companion paper [Geom. Funct. Anal. 20, No. 5, 1175--1200 (2010; Zbl 1208.22007)]. The reader is invited to study (at least) the introduction of the paper that contains an enlightening discussion of the topic along with interesting examples. A minor error is fixed in an erratum.