Let $H$ be a multiplicatively written monoid with identity $1_H$. An *atom* of $H$ is an element $x \in H \setminus H^\times$ such that $a \ne xy$ for all $x, y \in H \setminus H^\times$, where $H^\times$ is the group of units of $H$. Accordingly, we define $\mathsf L_H(1_H) := \{0\} \subseteq \mathbf N^+$ and, for $x \in H \setminus \{1_H\}$, we take ${\sf L}_H(x)$ to be the set of all $k \in \mathbf N^+$ such that $x = a_1 \cdots a_k$ for some atoms $a_1, \ldots, a_k \in H$. It follows by Proposition 1 in [Question #269229][1] and [Fekete's lemma][2] that the function $$ \ell_H: H \to [0,\infty]: x \mapsto \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{|\mathsf L_H(x^n)|}{n} $$ is well defined, insomuch as the limit exists for every $x \in H$, and is either a non-negative real number or $\infty$. My question is as follows: > **Q.** Let $H$ be the multiplicative monoid of the ring of integers of a number field. Is it true that $\ell_H(H)$ is a compact subset of $\mathbf R$ (with the usual topology)? It is perhaps worth noting that, under the assumptions of this question, $\ell_H(H)$ is a bounded subset of $\mathbf R$ (this is not for free), so the real point is whether or not $\ell_H(H)$ is closed. [1]: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/269229/ [2]: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/99122