E. Artin described all irreducible representations of the braid group B_k to the symmetric group S(k). We strengthen some of his results and, moreover, exhibit a complete picture of homomorphisms of B_k to S(n) for n<2k+1. We show that the image of such ahomomorphism f is cyclic whenever either (*) n<k\ne 4 or (**) f is irreducible and 6<k<n<2k. For k>6 there exist, up to conjugation, exactly 3 irreducible representations of B_k into S(2k) with non-cyclic images but they all are imprimitive. We use these results to prove that for n<k\ne 4 the image of any homomorphism from B_k to B_n is cyclic, whereas any endomorphism of B_k with non-cyclic image preserves the pure braid group PB_k. We prove also that for k>4 the intersection PB_k\cap B'_k of PB_k with the commutator subgroup B'_k=[B_k,B_k] is a completely characteristic subgroup of B'_k.
We give a new infinite family of group homomorphisms from the braid group B_k to the symmetric group S_{mk} for all k and m \geq 2. Most known permutation representations of braids are included in this family. We prove that the homomorphisms in this family are non-cyclic and transitive. For any divisor l of m, 1\leq l < m, we prove in particular that if \frac{m}{l} is odd then there are 1 + \frac{m}{l} non-conjugate homomorphisms included in our family. We define a certain natural restriction on homomorphisms B_k to S_n, common to all homomorphisms in our family, which we term 'good', and of w…
We give a complete classification of homomorphisms from the commutator subgroup of the braid group on $n$ strands to the braid group on $n$ strands when $n$ is at least 7. In particular, we show that each nontrivial homomorphism extends to an automorphism of the braid group on $n$ strands. This answers four questions of Vladimir Lin. Our main new tool is the theory of totally symmetric sets.
Using totally symmetric sets, Chudnovsky, Kordek, Li, and Partin gave a superexponential lower bound on the cardinality of non-abelian finite quotients of the braid group. In this paper, we develop new techniques using multiple totally symmetric sets to count elements in non-abelian finite quotients of the braid group. Using these techniques, we improve the lower bound found by Chudnovsky et al. We exhibit totally symmetric sets in the virtual and welded braid groups, and use our new techniques to find superexponential bounds for the finite quotients of the virtual and welded braid groups.
In this paper, we introduce a broad family of group homomorphisms that we name the Gauss-Epple homomorphisms. In the setting of braid groups, the Gauss-Epple invariant was originally defined by Epple based on a note of Gauss as an action of the braid group $B_n$ on the set $\{1, \dots, n\}\times\mathbb{Z}$; we prove that it is well-defined. We consider the associated group homomorphism from $B_n$ to the symmetric group $\text{Sym}(\{1, \dots, n\}\times\mathbb{Z})$. We prove that this homomorphism factors through $\mathbb{Z}^n\rtimes S_n$ (in fact, its image is an order 2 subgroup of the previo…
The question of whether a representation of Artin's pure braid group is faithful is translated to certain properties of the Lie algebra arising from the descending central series of the pure braid group, and thus the Vassiliev invariants of pure braids via work of T. Kohno \cite{kohno1,kohno2}. The main result is a Lie algebraic condition which guarantees that a homomorphism out of the classical pure braid group is faithful. However, it is unclear whether the methods here can be applied to any open cases such as the Gassner representation.
Let VB$_n$ be the virtual braid group on $n$ strands and let $\mathfrak{S}_n$ be the symmetric group on $n$ letters. Let $n,m \in \mathbb{N}$ such that $n \ge 5$, $m \ge 2$ and $n \ge m$. We determine all possible homomorphisms from VB$_n$ to $\mathfrak{S}_m$, from $\mathfrak{S}_n$ to VB$_m$ and from VB$_n$ to VB$_m$. As corollaries we get that Out(VB$_n$) is isomorphic to $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z} \times \mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$ and that VB$_n$ is both Hopfian and co-Hofpian.
Drinfel'd used associators to construct families of universal representations of braid groups. We consider semi-associators (i.e., we drop the pentagonal axiom and impose a normalization in degree one). We show that the process may be reversed, to obtain semi-associators from universal representations of 3-braids. We view braid groups as subgroups of braid-permutation groups. We construct a family of universal representations of braid-permutation groups, without using associators. All representations in the family are faithful, defined over $\bbQ$ by simple explicit formulae. We show that they…
We ask if any finite type generalized braid group is a subgroup of some classical Artin braid group. We define a natural map from a given finite type generalized braid group to a classical braid group and ask if this map is an injective homomorphism. We prove that this map is a homomorphism for the braid groups of type A_n, B_n, I_2(k). The injectivity question of this homomorphism (in these particular cases) is not yet settled. If this map is an injective homomorphism then several results will follow. For example it will follow that the Whitehead group, projective class group and the lower K-…
We study the representations of the commutator subgroup of the braid group with n strands in the symmetric group of degree r. Motivated by some experimental results, we conjecture that for n>r, every such representation is trivial.
We construct an action of the braid group B_{2g+2} on the free group F_{2g} extending an action of B_4 on F_2 introduced earlier by Reutenauer and the author. Our action induces a homomorphism from B_{2g+2} into the symplectic modular group Sp_{2g}(Z). In the special case g=2 we show that the latter homomorphism is surjective and determine its kernel, thus obtaining a braid-like presentation of Sp_4(Z).
This paper is devoted to the proof of a structural theorem, concerning certain homomorphic images of Artin braid group on $n$ strands in finite symmetric groups. It is shown that any one of these permutation groups is an extension of the symmetric group on $n$ letters by an appropriate abelian group, and in "half" of the cases this extension splits.
In arXiv:0910.1727 we find certain finite homomorphic images of Artin braid group into appropriate symmetric groups, which a posteriori are extensions of the symmetric group on n letters by an abelian group. The main theorem of this paper characterizes completely the extensions of this type that are split.
Recently Gambaudo and Ghys proved that there exist infinitely many quasi-morphisms on the group ${\rm Diff}_Ω^\infty (D^2, \partial D^2)$ of area-preserving diffeomorphisms of the 2-disk $D^2$. For the proof, they constructed a homomorphism from the space of quasi-morphisms on the braid group to the space of quasi-morphisms on ${\rm Diff}_Ω^\infty (D^2, \partial D^2)$. In this paper, we study the homomorphism and prove its injectivity.
We show how the categorial approach to inverse monoids can be described as a certain endofunctor (which we call the partialization functor) of some category. In this paper we show that this functor can be used to obtain several recently defined inverse monoids, and use it to define a new object, which we call the inverse braid-permutation monoid. A presentation for this monoid is obtained. Finally, we study some abstract properties of the partialization functor and its iterations. This leads to a categorification of a monoid of all order preserving maps, and series of orthodox generalizations …
In this paper we study the kernel of the homomorphism $B_{g,n} \to B_n$ of the braid group $B_{g,n}$ in the handlebody $\mathcal{H}_g$ to the braid group $B_n$. We prove that this kernel is a semi-direct product of free groups. Also, we introduce an algebra $H_{g,n}(q)$, which is some analog of the Hecke algebra $H_n(q)$, constructed by the braid group $B_n$.
Let M be a surface, perhaps with boundary, and either compact, or with a finite number of points removed from the interior of the surface. We consider the inclusion i: F\_n(M) --\textgreater{} M^n of the nth configuration space F\_n(M) of M into the n-fold Cartesian product of M, as well as the induced homomorphism i\_\#: P\_n(M) --\textgreater{} (π\_1(M))^n, where P\_n(M) is the n-string pure braid group of M. Both i and i\_\# were studied initially by J.Birman who conjectured that Ker(i\_\#) is equal to the normal closure of the Artin pure braid group P\_n in P\_n(M). The conjecture was late…
Let g and n be integers at least two, and let G be the pure braid group with n strands on a closed orientable surface of genus g. We describe any injective homomorphism from a finite index subgroup of G into G. As a consequence, we show that any finite index subgroup of G is co-Hopfian.
Random braids that are formed by multiplying randomly chosen permutation braids are studied by analyzing their behavior under Garside's weighted decomposition and cycling. Using this analysis, we propose a polynomial-time algorithm to the conjugacy problem that is successful for random braids in overwhelming probability. As either the braid index or the number of permutation-braid factors increases, the success probability converges to 1 and so, contrary to the common belief, the distribution of hard instances for the conjugacy problem is getting sparser. We also prove a conjecture by Birman a…
In this mostly survey paper, we investigate the resonance varieties, the lower central series ranks, and the Chen ranks, as well as the residual and formality properties of several families of braid-like groups: the pure braid groups $P_n$, the welded pure braid groups $wP_n$, the virtual pure braid groups $vP_n$, as well as their `upper' variants, $wP_n^+$ and $vP_n^+$. We also discuss several natural homomorphisms between these groups, and various ways to distinguish among the pure braid groups and their relatives.
We show that the smallest non-cyclic quotients of braid groups are symmetric groups, proving a conjecture of Margalit. Moreover we recover results of Artin and Lin about the classification of homomorphisms from braid groups on n strands to symmetric groups on k letters, where k is at most n. Unlike the original proofs, our method does not use the Bertrand-Chebyshev theorem, answering a question of Artin. Similarly for mapping class group of closed orientable surfaces, the smallest non-cyclic quotient is given by the mod two reduction of the symplectic representation. We provide an elementary p…
We study the rational permutation braids, that is the elements of an Artin-Tits group of spherical type which can be written $x^{-1} y$ where $x$ and $y$ are prefixes of the Garside element of the braid monoid. We give a geometric characterization of these braids in type $A_n$ and $B_n$ and then show that in spherical types different from $D_n$ the simple elements of the dual braid monoid (for arbitrary choice of Coxeter element) embedded in the braid group are rational permutation braids (we conjecture this to hold also in type $D_n$).This property implies positivity properties of the polynom…
We present a method for computing the number of epimorphisms from a finitely-presented group G to a finite solvable group Γ, which generalizes a formula of Gäschutz. Key to this approach are the degree 1 and 2 cohomology groups of G, with certain twisted coefficients. As an application, we count low-index subgroups of G. We also investigate the finite solvable quotients of the Baumslag-Solitar groups, the Baumslag parafree groups, and the Artin braid groups.
Totally symmetric sets are a recently introduced tool for studying homomorphisms between groups. In this paper, we give full classifications of totally symmetric sets in certain families of groups and bound their sizes in others. As a consequence, we derive restrictions on possible homomorphisms between these groups. One sample application of our results is that any homomorphism of a braid group to a direct product of solvable groups must have cyclic image.
Let $SB_n$ be the singular braid group generated by braid generators $σ_i$ and singular braid generators $τ_i$, $1 \leq i \leq n-1$. Let $ST_n$ denote the group that is the kernel of the homomorphism that maps, for each $i$, $σ_i$ to the cyclic permutation $(i, i+1)$ and $τ_i$ to $1$. In this paper we investigate the group $ST_3$. We obtain a presentation for $ST_3$. We prove that $ST_3$ is isomorphic to the singular pure braid group $SP_3$ on $3$ strands. We also prove that the group $ST_3$ is semi-direct product of a subgroup $H$ and an infinite cyclic group, where the subgroup $H$ is an HNN…
For a finite group $G$, the Hurwitz space $\mathcal{H}^{in}_{r,g}(G)$ is the space of genus $g$ covers of the Riemann sphere with $r$ branch points and the monodromy group $G$. In this paper, we give a complete list of primitive genus one systems of affine type. That is, we assume that $G$ is a primitive group of affine type. Under this assumption we determine the braid orbits on the suitable Nielsen classes, which is equivalent to finding connected components in $\mathcal{H}^{in}_{r,1}(G)$. Furthermore, we give a new algorithm for computing large braid orbits on Nielsen classes. This algorith…
Artin's representation is an injective homomorphism from the braid group $B_n$ on $n$ strands into $\operatorname{Aut}\mathbb{F}_n$, the automorphism group of the free group $\mathbb{F}_n$ on $n$ generators. The representation induces maps $B_n\to\operatorname{Aut}C^*_r(\mathbb{F}_n)$ and $B_n\to\operatorname{Aut}C^*(\mathbb{F}_n)$ into the automorphism groups of the corresponding group $C^*$-algebras of $\mathbb{F}_n$. These maps also have natural restrictions to the pure braid group $P_n$. In this paper, we consider twisted versions of the actions by cocycles with values in the circle, and d…
For every finite Coxeter group $Γ$, each positive braids in the corresponding braid group admits a unique decomposition as a finite sequence of elements of $Γ$, the so-called Garside-normal form.The study of the associated adjacency matrix $Adj(Γ)$ allows to count the number of Garside-normal form of a given length.In this paper we prove that the characteristic polynomial of $Adj(B_n)$ divides the one of $Adj(B_{n+1})$. The key point is the use of a Hopf algebra based on signed permutations. A similar result was already known for the type $A$. We observe that this does not hold for type $D$. T…
Let M be a compact, connected non-orientable surface without boundary and of genus g greater than or equal to 3. We investigate the pure braid groups P_n(M) of M, and in particular the possible splitting of the Fadell-Neuwirth short exact sequence 1 --> P_m(M {x_1,...,x_n}) --> P_{n+m}(M) --> P_n(M) --> 1, where m,n are positive integers, and the homomorphism p*:P_{n+m}(M) --> P_n(M) corresponds geometrically to forgetting the last m strings. This problem is equivalent to that of the existence of a section for the associated fibration p:F_{n+m}(M)} --> F_n(M) of configuration spaces, defined b…
Let PC be the group of bijections from [0, 1[ to itself which are continuous outside a finite set. Let PC be its quotient by the subgroup of finitely supported permutations. We show that the Kapoudjian class of PC vanishes. That is, the quotient map PC $\rightarrow$ PC splits modulo the alternating subgroup of even permutations. This is shown by constructing a nonzero group homomorphism, called signature, from PC to Z 2Z. Then we use this signature to list normal subgroups of every subgroup G of PC which contains S fin and such that G, the projection of G in PC , is simple.
For the group of endo-permutation modules of a finite \(p\)-group, there is a surjective reduction modulo \(p\) homomorphism from a complete discrete valuation ring of characteristic 0 to its residue field of characteristic \(p\). We prove that this reduction map always has a section which is a group homomorphism.
Let $n,m\in \mathbb{N}$, and let $B_{n,m}(\mathbb{R}P^2)$ be the set of $(n + m)$-braids of the projective plane whose associated permutation lies in the subgroup $S_n\times S_m$ of the symmetric group $S_{n+m}$. We study the splitting problem of the following generalisation of the Fadell-Neuwirth short exact sequence: $$1\rightarrow B_m(\mathbb{R}P^2 \setminus \{x_1,\dots,x_n\})\rightarrow B_{n,m}(\mathbb{R}P^2)\xrightarrow{\bar{q}} B_n(\mathbb{R}P^2)\rightarrow 1,$$ where the map $\bar{q}$ can be considered geometrically as the epimorphism that forgets the last $m$ strands, as well as the ex…
We prove that every uniform approximate homomorphism from a discrete amenable group into a symmetric group is uniformly close to a homomorphism into a slightly larger symmetric group. That is, amenable groups are uniformly flexibly stable in permutations. This answers affirmatively a question of Kun and Thom and a slight variation of a question of Lubotzky. We also give a negative answer to Lubotzky's original question by showing that the group $\mathbb{Z}$ is not uniformly strictly stable. Furthermore, we show that $\text{SL}_{r}(\mathbb{Z})$, $r\geq3$, is uniformly flexibly stable, but the f…
Semi-direct products of finite groups have permutation representations that are constructed from the permutation representations of their constituents. One can envision these in a metaphoric sense in which a rope is made from a bundle of threads. In this way, subgroups and quotients are easily visualized. The general idea is applied to the finite subgroups of the special unitary group of $(2\times 2)$-matrices. Amusing diagrams are developed that describe the unit quaternions, the binary tetrahedral, octahedral, and icosahedral group as well as the dicyclic groups. In all cases, the quotients …
We define an action of the extended affine d-strand braid group on the open positroid stratum in the Grassmannian Gr(k,n), for d the greatest common divisor of k and n. The action is by quasi-automorphisms of the cluster structure on the Grassmannian, determining a homomorphism from the extended affine braid group to the cluster modular group. We also define a quasi-isomorphism between the Grassmannian Gr(k,rk) and the Fock-Goncharov configuration space of 2r-tuples of affine flags for SL(k). This identifies the cluster variables, clusters, and cluster modular groups, in these two cluster stru…
We study the pure braid groups $P_n(RP^2)$ of the real projective plane $RP^2$, and in particular the possible splitting of the Fadell-Neuwirth short exact sequence $1 \to P_m(RP^2 {x_1,...,x_n} \to P_{n+m}(RP^2) \stackrel{p_{\ast}}{\to} P_n(RP^2) \to 1$, where $n\geq 2$ and $m\geq 1$, and $p_{\ast}$ is the homomorphism which corresponds geometrically to forgetting the last $m$ strings. This problem is equivalent to that of the existence of a section for the associated fibration $p: F_{n+m}(RP^2) \to F_n(RP^2)$ of configuration spaces. Van Buskirk proved in 1966 that $p$ and $p_{\ast}$ admit a…
The final result of this article gives the order of the extension $$\xymatrix{1\ar[r] & P/[P,P] \ar^{j}[r] & B/[P,P] \ar^-{p}[r] & W \ar[r] & 1}$$ as an element of the cohomology group $H^2(W,P/[P,P])$ (where $B$ and $P$ stands for the braid group and the pure braid group associated to the complex reflection group $W$). To obtain this result, we describe the abelianization of the stabilizer $N_H$ of a hyperplane $H$. Contrary to the case of Coxeter groups, $N_H$ is not in general a reflection subgroup of the complex reflection group $W$. So the first step is to refine Stanley-Springer's theore…
We show that for every sofic chunk $E$ there is a bijective homomorphism $f: E_c \rightarrow E$, where $E_c$ is a chunk of the group of computable permutations of $\mathbb{N}$ so that the approximating morphisms of $E$ can be viewed as restrictions of permutations of $E_c$ to finite subsets of $\mathbb{N}$. Using this we study some relevant effectivity conditions associated with sofic chunks and their profiles.
In this paper, we investigate the connection between infinite permutation monoids and bimorphism monoids of first-order structures. Taking our lead from the study of automorphism groups of structures as infinite permutation groups and the more recent developments in the field of homomorphism-homogeneous structures, we establish a series of results that underline this connection. Of particular interest is the idea of MB-homogeneity; a relational structure $\mathcal{M}$ is MB-homogeneous if every monomorphism between finite substructures of $\mathcal{M}$ extends to a bimorphism of $\mathcal{M}$.…
Let $G$ be a nonabelian, simple group with a nontrivial conjugacy class $C \subseteq G$. Let $K$ be a diagram of an oriented knot in $S^3$, thought of as computational input. We show that for each such $G$ and $C$, the problem of counting homomorphisms $π_1(S^3\setminus K) \to G$ that send meridians of $K$ to $C$ is almost parsimoniously $\mathsf{\#P}$-complete. This work is a sequel to a previous result by the authors that counting homomorphisms from fundamental groups of integer homology 3-spheres to $G$ is almost parsimoniously $\mathsf{\#P}$-complete. Where we previously used mapping class…
