Absolute continuity of the integrated density of states for the almost Mathieu operator with non-critical coupling

We show that the integrated density of states of the almost Mathieu operator is absolutely continuous if and only if the coupling is non-critical. We deduce for subcritical coupling that the spectrum is purely absolutely continuous for almost every phase, settling the measure-theoretical case of Problem 6 of Barry Simon’s list of Schrödinger operator problems for the twenty-first century.