Let $ϵ=({ϵ}_n{)}_{n\ge 0}$ be the Thue-Morse sequence, i.e., the sequence defined by the recurrence equations:$${ϵ}_0=1,{ϵ}_{2n}={ϵ}_n,{ϵ}_{2n+1}=1-{ϵ}_n.$$We consider $\left\{\right|{ℰ}_n^p|{\}}_{n\ge 1,p\ge 0}$, the double sequence of Hankel determinants (modulo 2) associated with the Thue-Morse sequence. Together with three other sequences, it obeys a set of sixteen recurrence equations. It is shown to be automatic. Applications are given, namely to combinatorial properties of the Thue-Morse sequence and to the existence of certain Padé approximants of the power series ${\sum }_{n\ge 0}(-1{)}^{{ϵ}_n}{x}^n$.

Let $𝒫$ be a hereditary property of words, i.e., an infinite class of finite words such that every subword (block) of a word belonging to $𝒫$ is also in $𝒫$. Extending the classical Morse-Hedlund theorem, we show that either $𝒫$ contains at least $n+1$ words of length $n$ for every $n$ or, for some $N$, it contains at most $N$ words of length $n$ for every $n$. More importantly, we prove the following quantitative extension of this result: if $𝒫$ has $m\le n$ words of length $n$ then, for every $k\ge n+m$, it contains at most $\lceil (m+1)/2\rceil \lfloor (m+1)/2\rfloor$ words of length...

Let P be a hereditary property of words, i.e., an infinite class of finite words such that every subword (block) of a word belonging to P is also in P. Extending the classical Morse-Hedlund theorem, we show that either P contains at least n+1 words of length n for every n or, for some N, it contains at most N words of length n for every n. More importantly, we prove the following quantitative extension of this result: if P has m ≤ n words of length n then, for every k ≥ n + m, it contains at most...

We present two methods based on decimation for computing finite billiard words on any finite alphabet. The first method computes finite billiard words by iteration of some transformation on words. The number of iterations is explicitly bounded. The second one gives a direct formula for the billiard words. Some results remain true for infinite standard Sturmian words, but cannot be used for computation as they only are limit results.