Some properties of a Rudin-Shapiro-like sequence

We introduce the sequence $(i_n)_{n \geq 0}$ defined by $i_n = (-1)^{inv_2(n)}$, where $inv_2(n)$ denotes the number of inversions (i.e., occurrences of 10 as a scattered subsequence) in the binary representation of n. We show that this sequence has many similarities to the classical Rudin-Shapiro sequence. In particular, if S(N) denotes the N-th partial sum of the sequence $(i_n)_{n \geq 0}$, we show that $S(N) = G(\log_4 N)\sqrt{N}$, where G is a certain function that oscillates periodically between $\sqrt{3}/3$ and $\sqrt{2}$.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figure

Spectrum of a Rudin-Shapiro-like sequence

We show that a recently proposed Rudin-Shapiro-like sequence, with balanced weights, has purely singular continuous diffraction spectrum, in contrast to the well-known Rudin-Shapiro sequence whose diffraction is absolutely continuous. This answers a question that had been raised about this new sequence

Surface Magnetization and Critical Behavior of Aperiodic Ising Quantum Chains

We consider semi-infinite two-dimensional layered Ising models in the extreme anisotropic limit with an aperiodic modulation of the couplings. Using substitution rules to generate the aperiodic sequences, we derive functional equations for the surface magnetization. These equations are solved by iteration and the surface magnetic exponent can be determined exactly. The method is applied to three specific aperiodic sequences, which represent different types of perturbation, according to a relevance-irrelevance criterion. On the Thue-Morse lattice, for which the modulation is an irrelevant perturbation, the surface magnetization vanishes with a square root singularity, like in the homogeneous lattice. For the period-doubling sequence, the perturbation is marginal and the surface magnetic exponent varies continuously with the modulation amplitude. Finally, the Rudin-Shapiro sequence, which corresponds to the relevant case, displays an anomalous surface critical behavior which is analyzed via scaling considerations: Depending on the value of the modulation, the surface magnetization either vanishes with an essential singularity or remains finite at the bulk critical point, i.e., the surface phase transition is of first order.Comment: 8 pages, 7 eps-figures, uses RevTex and epsf, minor correction

Can Kinematic Diffraction Distinguish Order from Disorder?

Diffraction methods are at the heart of structure determination of solids. While Bragg-like scattering (pure point diffraction) is a characteristic feature of crystals and quasicrystals, it is not straightforward to interpret continuous diffraction intensities, which are generally linked to the presence of disorder. However, based on simple model systems, we demonstrate that it may be impossible to draw conclusions on the degree of order in the system from its diffraction image. In particular, we construct a family of one-dimensional binary systems which cover the entire entropy range but still share the same purely diffuse diffraction spectrum.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure; two typos in the recursion relations for the autocorrelation coefficients were correcte

The Mahler measure of the Rudin-Shapiro polynomials

Littlewood polynomials are polynomials with each of their coefficients in {-1,1}. A sequence of Littlewood polynomials that satisfies a remarkable flatness property on the unit circle of the complex plane is given by the Rudin-Shapiro polynomials. It is shown in this paper that the Mahler measure and the maximum modulus of the Rudin-Shapiro polynomials on the unit circle of the complex plane have the same size. It is also shown that the Mahler measure and the maximum norm of the Rudin-Shapiro polynomials have the same size even on not too small subarcs of the unit circle of the complex plane. Not even nontrivial lower bounds for the Mahler measure of the Rudin Shapiro polynomials have been known before

Formal inverses of the generalized Thue-Morse sequences and variations of the Rudin-Shapiro sequence

A formal inverse of a given automatic sequence (the sequence of coefficients of the composition inverse of its associated formal power series) is also automatic. The comparison of properties of the original sequence and its formal inverse is an interesting problem. Such an analysis has been done before for the Thue{Morse sequence. In this paper, we describe arithmetic properties of formal inverses of the generalized Thue-Morse sequences and formal inverses of two modifications of the Rudin{Shapiro sequence. In each case, we give the recurrence relations and the automaton, then we analyze the lengths of strings of consecutive identical letters as well as the frequencies of letters. We also compare the obtained results with the original sequences.Comment: 20 page