arXiv:2510.12596v3

Limit Laws for Poincaré Recurrence and the Shrinking Target Problem

Alejandro Rodriguez Sponheimer

math.DS37B2037D2037A05

Abstract

We establish distributional laws for Poincaré recurrence in measure-preserving systems (X,T,μ)(X,T,μ) satisfying an exponential multiple decorrelation condition and a short returns condition. When the measure is absolutely continuous, the sum k=1n1B(x,rk)(Tkx)μ(B(x,rk))\sum_{k=1}^{n} \mathbf{1}_{B(x,r_k)}(T^{k}x) - μ(B(x,r_k)) does not in general obey a CLT; instead, it converges to a non-standard distribution that is an average of Gaussian laws weighted by the density of μμ. By considering a version of the sum where we appropriately rescale the radii of the balls, we recover the CLT. A key assumption in our recurrence theorems is that the corresponding hitting sums satisfy the CLT. We verify this assumption for Axiom A systems by establishing the stronger ASIP for the shrinking target problem, extending Haydn, Nicol, Török and Vaienti [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 2017] and related results. Systems for which our results apply include piecewise expanding systems on the interval, and Axiom A systems. The results highlight the difference between recurrence and hitting behaviour.

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Audit summary

Audited against arXiv v3

Not a correctness certificate. A “Correct” result may include yellow typos or minor formal corrections that do not affect substantive soundness. It means this audit found no unresolved substantive error under the stated criteria; it does not replace expert scrutiny or formal verification.

Current report

Detailed mathematical audit

Generated August 18, 2026
01Statements3 reported findingsCorrect

The almost-sure limit theorem, central limit theorem, and strong approximation results for shrinking-target recurrence are correct. Two displayed conclusions contain an unambiguous summation-index typesetting error; the hypotheses and proofs use the correct centered sums throughout.

Theorems 3.1 and 3.2Correct

The recurrence limit laws follow from the stated dependence and regularity hypotheses

Pages 16–19 · Theorems 3.1 and 3.2 · arXiv:2510.12596v3

The centered indicator array has the variance growth and correlation control needed for the blocking argument. The approximation of target indicators by regular observables has summable error at the selected scales, and the normalization in the proofs is the standard deviation of the entire centered sum. These inputs establish the almost-sure and distributional conclusions after the displayed typo below is read in its uniquely intended form.

Theorems 4.1–4.4Correct

The almost-sure invariance principles cover the announced recurrence regimes

Section 4 · strong approximation theorems · arXiv:2510.12596v3

The martingale approximation controls the maximal remainder at the stated rate, and the variance comparison identifies the Brownian clock. Each specialization verifies the target-boundary and mixing assumptions before invoking the abstract result, so the conclusions are not extrapolated beyond the hypotheses.

Equation (3.1) and Theorem 3.2Typo

The centering term must be placed inside the summation

Pages 16 and 18 · displayed conclusions of Theorems 3.1 and 3.2 · arXiv:2510.12596v3

The displayed conclusions place the centering term outside the summation, and the second display also writes r^n\widehat r_n where the summand requires r^k\widehat r_k. The hypotheses, definitions, and proofs all use 1σnk=1n(1B(x,rk)(Tkx)μ(B(x,rk))),\frac1{\sigma_n}\sum_{k=1}^n\left(\mathbf 1_{B(x,r_k)}(T^kx)-\mu(B(x,r_k))\right), and the identical formula with hats. Moving the centering term inside the sum and changing the target index from nn to kk is the unique correction. It does not alter the results or their overall correctness status.

02Proofs1 reported findingCorrect

The blocking, martingale approximation, variance, and boundary-regularization arguments are complete. The two printed conclusion errors are typographical because every proof line uses the corrected centered sums.

Sections 3 and 4Correct and complete

The limit-law and invariance-principle proofs use the correct triangular arrays

Pages 16 onward · arXiv:2510.12596v3

The covariance decomposition, block separation, and martingale differences are all formed from 1B(x,rk)Tkμ(B(x,rk))\mathbf 1_{B(x,r_k)}\circ T^k-\mu(B(x,r_k)). Consequently the accidental placement of the centering term in two theorem displays never enters the estimates. The moment and maximal inequalities have sufficient exponent margins for every almost-sure conclusion stated.

03Novelty0 reported findingsNo non-novelty findings

No non-novelty findings.

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Paper
arXiv:2510.12596v3
Authors listed
Alejandro Rodriguez Sponheimer
Audit date
August 18, 2026
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