Development on the Heisenberg nilmanifold

The development path on G/Γ for the input K(t) = (1, β + α sin 2πωt) with mean μ = (1, β). The trajectory winds around both cycles of the base torus when β ≠ 0. The arches fold into the central fibre; H₂ is independent of β.
α = 1.0
β = 1.0 → μ = (1, 1)
ω = 1.00 (commensurate)
8 periods
Speed: 0.4

G/Γ — fundamental domain [0,1)³

Drag to rotate. Each period is a different color. The z-coordinate wraps with the Heisenberg twist: when x resets, z shifts by +y/2.

Universal cover G — the arches

The same path before reduction. Arches grow without bound; on G/Γ they fold into the central fibre.

Base torus T² — horizontal projection

The projection G/Γ → T² forgets the central fibre. When ω = 1 the path traces the same closed loop every period. When ω is incommensurate, each period traces a different curve and the path fills the torus.
Each color = one period. Fiber advance per period: α/(2π). If α/(2π) is irrational, the path fills the nilmanifold ergodically.