Words with factor complexity $2n+1$ and minimal critical exponent
Combinatorics
2026-03-17 v3 Formal Languages and Automata Theory
Abstract
Word is the fixed point of the morphism . In 2019, Shallit and Shur showed that has factor complexity . They also showed that has critical exponent , where is the real zero of . They conjectured that this was the least possible critical exponent among words with factor complexity . We confirm their conjecture. The proof, using an intricate case analysis, is by computer. The relevant program generates a `human readable' proof.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2507.09387,
title = {Words with factor complexity $2n+1$ and minimal critical exponent},
author = {James D. Currie},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.09387},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
Substantial revision of original submission