Pointwise multiple averages for sublinear functions

Abstract

For any measure-preserving system $(X,{\mathcal{B}},\unicode[STIX]{x1D707},T_{1},\ldots ,T_{d})$ with no commutativity assumptions on the transformations $T_{i},$$1\leq i\leq d,$ we study the pointwise convergence of multiple ergodic averages with iterates of different growth coming from a large class of sublinear functions. This class properly contains important subclasses of Hardy field functions of order zero and of Fejér functions, i.e., tempered functions of order zero. We show that the convergence of the single average, via an invariant property, implies the convergence of the multiple one. We also provide examples of sublinear functions which are, in general, bad for convergence on arbitrary systems, but good for uniquely ergodic systems. The case where the fastest function is linear is addressed as well, and we provide, in all the cases, an explicit formula of the limit function.