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Smallest    

Robert P. Munafo, 2012 Apr 16.



The term "smaller" is sometimes used in this encyclopedia to refer to a relationship between mu-atoms that are siblings: A mu-atom is "smaller" if it has a higher period. The word is used in this way on the pages: binary search for internal angle, common smaller neighbor, and smaller neighbor. See also larger.


R2.2/5a is ''smaller'' than R2.1/3a because it has a higher period
R2.2/5a is "smaller" than R2.1/3a because it has a higher period


Being "smaller" in this sense does not necessarily mean that a mu-atom is physically smaller: for example, R2.1/7a is physically smaller than R2.3/8a, but is larger in the sense meant here, because it has a lower period.

R2F(1/7(*B))
R2F(1/7(*B))
R2F(3/8(*B))
R2F(3/8(*B))

In the images above, both mu-units are shown at the same scale (image width and height are 0.1 units on the real and imaginary axis respectively). But the mu-atom with the higher period is also physically larger. This is a counter-example to the ordinary rule that siblings with a higher period are physically smaller. The discrepancy is accounted for by the sin(2π N/M) term in the "Milnor's approximation" formula shown in the secondary continental mu-atom article.

The smallest mu-molecule of any given period is located on the real axis, and most of them are very close to the tip. See the R2t Series article for details.


revisions: 20120416 oldest on record; 20230525 link to R2t Series article




From the Mandelbrot Set Glossary and Encyclopedia, by Robert Munafo, (c) 1987-2024.

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