Geometrically infinite surfaces with discrete length spectra (Q956706)

Fix an orientable surface \(M\) with infinitely generated fundamental group. The authors show the existence of a large family of hyperbolic structures on \(M\), no two being quasiconformally equivalent, whose length spectra are discrete. Likewise, they also show the existence of a large family whose length spectra are not discrete. (Recall that, if \(M\) is a hyperbolic manifold, then the length spectrum of \(M\) is the ordered set (counting multiplicity) of lengths of primitive closed geodesies in \(M\). The spectrum is discrete if, for each positive number \(N\), there are only finitely many primitive, closed geodesies of length \(\leq N\)) . These results stand in contrast to the result for surfaces with finitely generated fundamental group, where the length spectra are always discrete. The authors' construction employs the topological characterization of non-compact surfaces described in [\textit{I. Richards}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 106, 259--269 (1963; Zbl 0156.22203)]. Hyperbolic structures are described via pairs-of-pants decompositions and Fenchel-Nielsen length and twist parameters. Geodesic lengths are estimated via ``pants asymptotics'' -- that is, by hyperbolic trigonometric estimates on hyperbolic hexagons and pentagons.