On the intersection of Cantor set with the unit circle and some sequences

Abstract

For $λ\in(0,1/2)$ let $K_λ$ be the self-similar set in $\mathbb{R}$ generated by the iterated function system $\{f_0(x)=λx, f_1(x)=λx+1-λ\}$. In this paper, we investigate the intersection of the unit circle $\mathbb{S} \subset \mathbb{R}^2$ with the Cartesian product $K_λ \times K_λ$. We prove that for $λ\in(0, 2 - \sqrt{3}]$, the intersection is trivial, i.e., \[ \mathbb{S} \cap (K_λ \times K_λ) = \{(0,1), (1,0)\}. \] If $λ\in [0.330384,1/2)$, then the intersection $\mathbb{S} \cap (K_λ \times K_λ)$ is non-trivial. In particular, if $λ\in [0.407493 , 1/2)$ the intersection $\mathbb{S} \cap (K_λ \times K_λ)$ is of cardinality continuum. Furthermore, the bound $2 - \sqrt{3}$ is sharp: there exists a sequence $\{λ_n\}_{n \in \mathbb{N}}$ with $λ_n \searrow 2 - \sqrt{3}$ such that $\mathbb{S} \cap (K_{λ_n} \times K_{λ_n})$ is non-trivial for all $n\in\mathbb{N}$. This result provides a negative answer to a problem posed by Yu (2023). Our methods extend beyond the unit circle and remain effective for many nonlinear curves. By employing tools from number theory, including the quadratic reciprocity law, we analyze the intersection of Cantor sets with some sequences. A dichotomy is established in terms of the Legendre symbol associated with the digit set, revealing a fundamental arithmetic constraint governing such intersections.