Pointwise convergence of multiple ergodic averages – PCMEA

Pointwise convergence of multiple ergodic averages – PCMEA Given an arbitrary measure preserving system we show that the multilinear ergodic averages sampled along an arbitrary number of sequences coming from a Hardy field converge pointwise almost everywhere. We aim to prove this for as wide a class of Hardy field functions as possible. To do so, we establish a long variational inequality along lacunary sequences which implies a maximal inequality, norm convergence, and pointwise convergence. By a transference argument it suffices prove this long variational inequality in the case that the measure preserving system is the integers. This reduction allows us to use tools from discrete harmonic analysis, additive combinatorics, and analytic number theory. We then give applications in areas such as upcrossings, equidistribution, and combinatorics.