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link to Ford
john mangual
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$SU(1,1, \mathbb{C}) \simeq SL(2, \mathbb{R})$ as they preserve similar quadratic forms

  • $|x|^2 -| y|^2=1$
  • $ad-bc=1$
  • let $x+y= a+bi$ and $x-y= c+di$

if instead of $ \mathbb{R}$ try a ring of integers $\mathcal{O}_K$ these are Bianchi groups. I am not am expert. the case of $\mathcal{O}_K=\mathbb{Z}[i]$ has explicit generators as found by Hurwitz

  • the general case looks wide open. here is paper of swan
  • Bianchi original notes (in Italian) can be found on Wikipedia and make for interesting reading. [1]
  • the Ford circles and Farey fractions are relevant objects.
  • if you google "Ford fractions" Ford's original discussion comes up. at the very end he briefly discusses $\mathbb{Z}[i]$ using spheres of various fractional radii. And the action of the Bianchi group.

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I find it utterly mind-boggling there is no easy extension of Farey fractions to general quadratic rings $\mathcal{O}_K$ with $K=\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-D})$. It's non-trivial

john mangual
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  • 172