Lozenge characterization of free homotopy classes for bicontact Reeb flows

From papers

Let XX be an Anosov flow supported by a bicontact structure (ξ+,ξ)(\xi^+,\xi^-). For a flow RR, let P(R)\mathcal{P}(R) denote its set of free homotopy data, and let R\mathbb{R}-covered have its usual meaning for Anosov flows. A positive lozenge is a lozenge whose two sides at one corner are positive half-leaves; a negative lozenge is defined analogously. Lozenge characterization conjecture. There exist bitransverse Reeb flows R+R^+ and RR^- such that, for every [g]P(X)[g]\in\mathcal{P}(X), [g]P(R+)[g]\in\mathcal{P}(R^+) if and only if gg fixes a positive lozenge, and [g]P(R)[g]\in\mathcal{P}(R^-) if and only if gg fixes a negative lozenge.

This conjecture aims to describe the relationship between free homotopy data of bicontact Reeb flows and the positive and negative lozenges in the orbit space. The source presents it as an expectation, and no general proof or disproof is supplied.

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Sources & referencesView supporting material

Primary source

Thomas Barthelmé, “A Smörgåsbord of (bi)contact structures, Reeb flows and pseudo-Anosov flows”, arXiv:2502.07716 (2025).

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