Related papers: Transience of algebraic varieties in linear groups…

Given $d\geq2$, we construct a Zariski-dense random walk on the space of lattices SL$_d(\mathbb{R})/$SL$_d(\mathbb{Z})$ that exhibits escape of mass. This negates the suggestion of recurrence made by Benoist [Ben14] (ICM 2014) and by…

We investigate for which linear-algebraic groups (over the complex numbers or any local field) there exists subgroups which are dense in the Zariski topology, but discrete in the Hausdorff topology. For instance, such subgroups exist for…

We use subgroup distortion to determine the rate of escape of a simple random walk on a class of polycyclic groups, and we show that the rate of escape is invariant under changes of generating set for these groups. For metabelian groups, we…

It was shown in Part I that there exist strongly dense free subgroups in any semisimple algebraic group over a large enough field. These are nonabelian free subgroups all of whose subgroups are either cyclic or Zariski-dense. Here we show…

Let $G$ be a connected semisimple real Lie group with finite center, and $\mu$ a probability measure on $G$ whose support generates a Zariski-dense subgroup of $G$. We consider the right $\mu$-random walk on $G$ and show that each random…

We construct new examples of expander Cayley graphs of finite groups, arising as congruence quotients of non-elementary subgroups of $SL_2 (\mathbb{F}_p [t])$ modulo certain square-free ideals. We describe some applications of our results…

Let $G$ be a connected simple real Lie group, $\Lambda_{0}\subseteq G$ a lattice and $\Lambda \unlhd \Lambda_{0}$ a normal subgroup such that $\Lambda_{0}/\Lambda\simeq \mathbb{Z}^d$. We study the drift of a random walk on the…

Let $G$ be a connected linear algebraic group over a number field $K$, let $\Gamma$ be a finitely generated Zariski dense subgroup of $G(K)$ and let $Z\subseteq G(K)$ be a thin set, in the sense of Serre. We prove that, if…

Let $X$ be an affine algebraic variety with a transitive action of the algebraic automorphism group. Suppose that $X$ is equipped with several non-degenerate fixed point free $SL_2$-actions satisfying some mild additional assumption. Then…

We show that (with one possible exception) there exist strongly dense free subgroups in any semisimple algebraic group over a large enough field. These are nonabelian free subgroups all of whose subgroups are either cyclic or Zariski dense.…

The starting point is the known fact that some much-studied random walks on permutations, such as the Tsetlin library, arise from walks on real hyperplane arrangements. This paper explores similar walks on complex hyperplane arrangements.…

We consider a model of random walk in ${\mathbb Z}^2$ with (fixed or random) orientation of the horizontal lines (layers) and with non constant iid probability to stay on these lines. We prove the transience of the walk for any fixed…

In random walk theory, it is customary to assume that a given walk is irreducible and/or aperiodic. While these prevailing assumptions make particularly tractable the analysis of random walks and help to highlight their diffusive nature,…

Random walks on the circle group $\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}$ whose elementary steps are lattice variables with span $\alpha \not\in \mathbb{Q}$ or $p/q \in \mathbb{Q}$ taken mod $\mathbb{Z}$ exhibit delicate behavior. In the rational case we…

We study linear random walks on the torus and show a quantitative equidistribution statement, under the assumption that the Zariski closure of the acting group is semisimple.

We show that random walks on semisimple algebraic groups do not concentrate on proper algebraic subvarieties with uniform exponential rate of anti-concentration. This is achieved by proving a uniform spectral gap for quasi-regular…

We construct generating pairs of simple Lie algebras in characteristic zero. We apply this construction to exhibit infinite series of 2-generator Zariski dense subgroups that are free of rank 2 of the simple algebraic groups SL(n, C), Sp(n,…

We consider random walks on the torus arising from the action of the group of affine transformations. We give a quantitative equidistribution result for this random walk under the assumption that the Zariski closure of the group generated…

We prove effective density of random walks on homogeneous spaces, assuming that the underlying measure is supported on matrices generating a dense subgroup and having algebraic entries. The main novelty is an argument passing from high…

The Weierstrass random walk is a paradigmatic Markov chain giving rise to a L\'evy-type superdiffusive behavior. It is well known that Special Relativity prevents the arbitrarily high velocities necessary to establish a superdiffusive…