An embedding theorem for multidimensional subshifts (Q6985499)

Krieger's embedding theorem provides necessary and sufficient conditions for an arbitrary subshift to embed in a given topologically mixing \(\mathbb{Z}\)-subshift of finite type. It is natural to seek a multidimensional version. \textit{S. J. Lightwood} [Ergodic Theory Dyn. Syst. 23, No. 2, 587--609 (2003; Zbl 1031.37017); Ergodic Theory Dyn. Syst. 24, No. 4, 1227--1260 (2004; Zbl 1069.37011)] characterized the aperiodic \(\mathbb{Z}^d\)-subshifts that can embed in a certain class of \(\mathbb{Z}^d\)-subshifts of finite type.\N\NIn this paper, the author provides a new embedding theorem for a class of subshifts of finite type over any countable abelian group. The main result of this paper is as follows:\N\NTheorem. Let \(\Gamma\) be a countable abelian group and let \(X,Y\) be \(\Gamma\)-subshifts. Suppose that \(Y\) has the map extension property. Let \(Z\subset X\) be a (possibly empty) \(\Gamma\)-subshift contained in \(X\) and let \(\hat{\rho}\colon Z\to X\) be an embedding. Then, \(\hat{\rho}\) extends to an embedding \(\rho\colon X\to Y\) if and only if for every subgroup \(\Gamma_0\leq \Gamma\), one of the following conditions holds:\N\begin{itemize}\N\item[1.] \(\hat{\rho}|_{Z_{\Gamma_0}}\colon Z_{\Gamma_0}\to Y_{\Gamma_0}\) extends to an isomorphism \(\rho_{\Gamma_0}\colon X_{\Gamma_0}\to Y_{\Gamma_0}\);\N\item[2.] \(h_{top}(\overline{X}_{\Gamma_0})< h_{\mathrm{top}}(\overline{Y}_{\Gamma_0})\) and \(\mathrm{Ker}(Y_{\Gamma_0})\leq \mathrm{Ker}(X_{\Gamma_0})\).\N\end{itemize}\N\NThis result gives a full characterization of the subsystems of the multidimensional full shift \(Y=\{0,1\}^{\mathbb{Z}^d}\). For the particular case of \(\mathbb{Z}\)-subshifts and \(Z=\emptyset\), this result coincides with Krieger's embedding theorem. The key point is the map extension property, which is first introducted explicitly in this paper, though it was introduced implicitly by \textit{M. Boyle} [Ergodic Theory Dyn. Syst. 3, 541--557 (1983; Zbl 0529.28014)] for \(\mathbb{Z}\)-subshifts and is closely related to the notion of an absolute retract, introduced by \textit{K. Borsuk} [Fundam. Math. 17, 152--170 (1931; Zbl 0003.02701)]. Note that a \(\mathbb{Z}\)-subshift has the map extension property if and only if it is a topologically mixing subshift of finite type. The author also showed various natural examples of \(\mathbb{Z}^d\) subshifts of finite type satisfy the map extension property, and hence the main theorem applies for them.\N\NThe author also establishes a new theorem regarding lower entropy factors of multidimensional subshifts as follows, which extends Boyle's lower entropy factor theorem from the one-dimensional case.\N\NTheorem. Let \(X\) be a block gluing \(\mathbb{Z}^d\)-subshift and let \(Y\) be a \(\mathbb{Z}^d\)-subshift with the map extension property such that \(h_{\mathrm{top}}(X)>h_{\mathrm{top}}(Y)\). Then there exists a factor map from \(X\) to \(Y\) if and only if for every \(x\in X\) there exists \(y\in Y\) such that the stabilizer \(\mathrm{stab}(x)\) of \(x\) is a subgroup of the the stabilizer \(\mathrm{stab}(x)\) of \(y\).