Languages invariant under more symmetries: overlapping factors versus palindromic richness

Factor complexity $\mathcal{C}$ and palindromic complexity $\mathcal{P}$ of infinite words with language closed under reversal are known to be related by the inequality $\mathcal{P}(n) + \mathcal{P}(n+1) \leq 2 + \mathcal{C}(n+1)-\mathcal{C}(n)$ for any $n\in \mathbb{N}$\,. Word for which the equality is attained for any $n$ is usually called rich in palindromes. In this article we study words whose languages are invariant under a finite group $G$ of symmetries. For such words we prove a stronger version of the above inequality. We introduce notion of $G$-palindromic richness and give several examples of $G$-rich words, including the Thue-Morse sequence as well.Comment: 22 pages, 1 figur

Constructions of words rich in palindromes and pseudopalindromes

A narrow connection between infinite binary words rich in classical palindromes and infinite binary words rich simultaneously in palindromes and pseudopalindromes (the so-called $H$-rich words) is demonstrated. The correspondence between rich and $H$-rich words is based on the operation $S$ acting over words over the alphabet $\{0,1\}$ and defined by $S(u_0u_1u_2\ldots) = v_1v_2v_3\ldots$, where $v_i= u_{i-1} + u_i \mod 2$. The operation $S$ enables us to construct a new class of rich words and a new class of $H$-rich words. Finally, the operation $S$ is considered on the multiliteral alphabet $\mathbb{Z}_m$ as well and applied to the generalized Thue--Morse words. As a byproduct, new binary rich and $H$-rich words are obtained by application of $S$ on the generalized Thue--Morse words over the alphabet $\mathbb{Z}_4$.Comment: 26 page

A generalized palindromization map in free monoids

The palindromization map $\psi$ in a free monoid $A^*$ was introduced in 1997 by the first author in the case of a binary alphabet $A$, and later extended by other authors to arbitrary alphabets. Acting on infinite words, $\psi$ generates the class of standard episturmian words, including standard Arnoux-Rauzy words. In this paper we generalize the palindromization map, starting with a given code $X$ over $A$. The new map $\psi_X$ maps $X^*$ to the set $PAL$ of palindromes of $A^*$. In this way some properties of $\psi$ are lost and some are saved in a weak form. When $X$ has a finite deciphering delay one can extend $\psi_X$ to $X^{\omega}$, generating a class of infinite words much wider than standard episturmian words. For a finite and maximal code $X$ over $A$, we give a suitable generalization of standard Arnoux-Rauzy words, called $X$-AR words. We prove that any $X$-AR word is a morphic image of a standard Arnoux-Rauzy word and we determine some suitable linear lower and upper bounds to its factor complexity. For any code $X$ we say that $\psi_X$ is conservative when $\psi_X(X^{*})\subseteq X^{*}$. We study conservative maps $\psi_X$ and conditions on $X$ assuring that $\psi_X$ is conservative. We also investigate the special case of morphic-conservative maps $\psi_{X}$, i.e., maps such that $\phi\circ \psi = \psi_X\circ \phi$ for an injective morphism $\phi$. Finally, we generalize $\psi_X$ by replacing palindromic closure with $\theta$-palindromic closure, where $\theta$ is any involutory antimorphism of $A^*$. This yields an extension of the class of $\theta$-standard words introduced by the authors in 2006.Comment: Final version, accepted for publication on Theoret. Comput. Sc

Episturmian words: a survey

In this paper, we survey the rich theory of infinite episturmian words which generalize to any finite alphabet, in a rather resembling way, the well-known family of Sturmian words on two letters. After recalling definitions and basic properties, we consider episturmian morphisms that allow for a deeper study of these words. Some properties of factors are described, including factor complexity, palindromes, fractional powers, frequencies, and return words. We also consider lexicographical properties of episturmian words, as well as their connection to the balance property, and related notions such as finite episturmian words, Arnoux-Rauzy sequences, and "episkew words" that generalize the skew words of Morse and Hedlund.Comment: 36 pages; major revision: improvements + new material + more reference

On different generalizations of episturmian words

In this paper we study some classes of infinite words generalizing episturmian words, and analyse the relations occurring among such classes. In each case, the reversal operator R is replaced by an arbitrary involutory antimorphism ϑ of the free monoid A ∗. In particular, we define the class of ϑ-words with seed, whose “standard ” elements (ϑ-standard words with seed) are constructed by an iterative ϑ-palindrome closure process, starting from a finite word u0 called the seed. When the seed is empty, one obtains ϑ-words; episturmian words are exactly the R-words. One of the main theorems of the paper characterizes ϑ-words with seed as infinite words closed under ϑ and having at most one left special factor of each length n ≥ N (where N is some nonnegative integer depending on the word). When N = 0 we call such words ϑ-episturmian. Further results on the structure of ϑ-episturmian words are proved. In particular, some relationships between ϑ-words (with or without seed) and ϑ-episturmian words are shown