Bifix codes and interval exchanges

We investigate the relation between bifix codes and interval exchange transformations. We prove that the class of natural codings of regular interval echange transformations is closed under maximal bifix decoding.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1305.0127, arXiv:1308.539

Specular sets

We introduce the notion of specular sets which are subsets of groups called here specular and which form a natural generalization of free groups. These sets are an abstract generalization of the natural codings of linear involutions. We prove several results concerning the subgroups generated by return words and by maximal bifix codes in these sets.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1405.352

The finite index basis property

We describe in this paper a connection between bifix codes, symbolic dynamical systems and free groups. This is in the spirit of the connection established previously for the symbolic systems corresponding to Sturmian words. We introduce a class of sets of factors of an infinite word with linear factor complexity containing Sturmian sets and regular interval exchange sets, namely the class of tree sets. We prove as a main result that for a uniformly recurrent tree set S, a finite bifix code X on the alphabet A is S-maximal of S-degree d if and only if it is the basis of a subgroup of index d of the free group on

On the group of a rational maximal bifix code

We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the group of a rational maximal bifix code $Z$ to be isomorphic with the $F$-group of $Z\cap F$, when $F$ is recurrent and $Z\cap F$ is rational. The case where $F$ is uniformly recurrent, which is known to imply the finiteness of $Z\cap F$, receives special attention. The proofs are done by exploring the connections with the structure of the free profinite monoid over the alphabet of $F$

Maximal bifix decoding

International audienceWe consider a class of sets of words which is a natural common generalization of Sturmian sets and of interval exchange sets. This class of sets consists of the uniformly recurrent tree sets, where the tree sets are defined by a condition on the possible extensions of bispecial factors. We prove that this class is closed under maximal bifix decoding. The proof uses the fact that the class is also closed under decoding with respect to return words

Return words of linear involutions and fundamental groups

We investigate the natural codings of linear involutions. We deduce from the geometric representation of linear involutions as Poincar\'e maps of measured foliations a suitable definition of return words which yields that the set of first return words to a given word is a symmetric basis of the free group on the underlying alphabet $A$. The set of first return words with respect to a subgroup of finite index $G$ of the free group on $A$ is also proved to be a symmetric basis of $G$