Bounds for the discrete correlation of infinite sequences on k symbols and generalized Rudin-Shapiro sequences

Motivated by the known autocorrelation properties of the Rudin-Shapiro sequence, we study the discrete correlation among infinite sequences over a finite alphabet, where we just take into account whether two symbols are identical. We show by combinatorial means that sequences cannot be "too" different, and by an explicit construction generalizing the Rudin-Shapiro sequence, we show that we can achieve the maximum possible difference.Comment: Improved Introduction and new Section 6 (Lovasz local lemma

Kinematic Diffraction from a Mathematical Viewpoint

Mathematical diffraction theory is concerned with the analysis of the diffraction image of a given structure and the corresponding inverse problem of structure determination. In recent years, the understanding of systems with continuous and mixed spectra has improved considerably. Simultaneously, their relevance has grown in practice as well. In this context, the phenomenon of homometry shows various unexpected new facets. This is particularly so for systems with stochastic components. After the introduction to the mathematical tools, we briefly discuss pure point spectra, based on the Poisson summation formula for lattice Dirac combs. This provides an elegant approach to the diffraction formulas of infinite crystals and quasicrystals. We continue by considering classic deterministic examples with singular or absolutely continuous diffraction spectra. In particular, we recall an isospectral family of structures with continuously varying entropy. We close with a summary of more recent results on the diffraction of dynamical systems of algebraic or stochastic origin.Comment: 30 pages, invited revie

Surprises in aperiodic diffraction

Mathematical diffraction theory is concerned with the diffraction image of a given structure and the corresponding inverse problem of structure determination. In recent years, the understanding of systems with continuous and mixed spectra has improved considerably. Moreover, the phenomenon of homometry shows various unexpected new facets. Here, we report on some of the recent results in an exemplary and informal fashion.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure; paper presented at Aperiodic 2009 (Liverpool