We prove that the quotient map from Aut(F_n) to Out(F_n) induces an isomorphism on homology in dimension i for n at least 2i+4. This corrects an earlier proof by the first author and significantly improves the stability range. In the course of the proof, we also prove homology stability for a sequence of groups which are natural analogs of mapping class groups of surfaces with punctures. In particular, this leads to a slight improvement on the known stability range for Aut(F_n), showing that its i-th homology is independent of n for n at least 2i+2.
Given an l-component pointed oriented link (L,p) in an oriented three-manifold Y, one can construct its link Floer chain complex CFL(Y,L,p) over the polynomial ring F_2[U_1,...,U_l]. Moving the basepoint p_i in the link component L_i once around induces an automorphism of CFL(Y,L,p). In this paper, we study an automorphism (a possibly different one) of CFL(Y,L,p) defined explicitly in terms of holomorphic disks; for links in S^3, we show that these two automorphisms are the same.
Let Ng be the connected closed nonorientable surface of genus g >= 5 and Mod(Ng) denote the mapping class group of Ng. We prove that the outer automorphism group of Mod(Ng) is either trivial or Z if g is odd, and injects into the mapping class group of sphere with four holes if g is even.
A homology cylinder of a surface induces an automorphism of the completed group ring of the fundamental group of the surface. We introduce a new method of computing the automorphism by using the Goldman Lie algebra of the surface or some skein algebra. In particular, we give a refinement of a formula by Kuno and Massuyeau.
Let $\operatorname{Aut}(H_1(N_g;\mathbb Z_2),\cdot )$ be the group of automorphisms on the first homology group with $\mathbb Z_2$ coefficient of a closed non-orientable surface $N_g$ preserving the mod $2$ intersection form. In this paper, we obtain a finite presentation for $\operatorname{Aut}(H_1(N_g;\mathbb Z_2),\cdot )$. As applications we calculate the first homology group and the second homology group of $\operatorname{Aut}(H_1(N_g;\mathbb Z_2),\cdot )$.
The main goal of this paper is a calculation of the integral (co)homology of the group of symmetric automorphisms of a free product. We proceed by giving a geometric interpretation of symmetric automorphisms via a moduli space of certain diagrams, which we name cactus products. To describe this moduli space a theory of diagonal complexes is introduced. This offers a generalisation of the theory of right-angled Artin groups in that each diagonal complex defines what we call a diagonal right-angled Artin group (DRAAG).
We discuss the possibility of lifting finite subgroups, and in particular finite cyclic subgroups, with respect to the canonical projections between automorphism and outer automorphism groups of free groups, surface groups and their abelianizations.
We define an integer-valued invariant of special cube complexes called the genus, and prove that having genus one characterizes special cube complexes with abelian fundamental group. Using the genus, we obtain a new proof that the fundamental group of a special cube complex is either free abelian or surjects onto a non-cyclic free group. We also investigate automorphisms of special cube complexes, and give a new geometric proof that the Torelli subgroup for a right-angled Artin group is torsion-free.
If $Γ$ is a finitely generated Fuchsian group such that its derived subgroup $Γ'$ is co-compact and torsion free, then $S={\mathbb H}^{2}/Γ'$ is a closed Riemann surface of genus $g \geq 2$ admitting the abelian group $A=Γ/Γ'$ as a group of conformal automorphisms. We say that $A$ is a homology group of $S$. A natural question is if $S$ admits unique homology groups or not, in other words, is there are different Fuchsian groups $Γ_{1}$ and $Γ_{2}$ with $Γ_{1}'=Γ'_{2}$? It is known that if $Γ_{1}$ and $Γ_{2}$ are both of the same signature $(0;k,\ldots,k)$, for some $k \geq 2$, then the equalit…
We prove that a "random" free group outer automorphism is an ageometric fully irreducible outer automorphism whose ideal Whitehead graph is a union of triangles. In particular, we show that its attracting (and repelling) tree is a nongeometric $\mathbb R$-tree all of whose branch points are trivalent
We study the word length entropy of automorphisms of residually nilpotent groups, and how the entropy of such group automorphisms relates to the entropy of induced automorphisms on various nilpotent quotients. We show that much like the structure of a nilpotent group is dictated to a large degree by its abelianization, the entropy of an automorphism of a nilpotent group is dictated by its entropy on the abelianization. We give some applications to the study of pseudo-Anosov homeomorphisms of surfaces. In particular, we show that if $ψ$ is a non--homological pseudo-Anosov homeomorphism of a sur…
For n at least 3, let SAut(F_n) denote the unique subgroup of index two in the automorphism group of a free group. The standard linear action of SL(n,Z) on R^n induces non-trivial actions of SAut(F_n) on R^n and on S^{n-1}. We prove that SAut(F_n) admits no non-trivial actions by homeomorphisms on acyclic manifolds or spheres of smaller dimension. Indeed, SAut(F_n) cannot act non-trivially on any generalized Z_2-homology sphere of dimension less than n-1, nor on any Z_2-acyclic Z_2-homology manifold of dimension less than n. It follows that SL(n,Z) cannot act non-trivially on such spaces eithe…
We show that every virtually torsion-free subgroup of the outer automorphism group of a conjugacy separable relatively hyperbolic group is residually finite. As a direct consequence, we obtain that the outer automorphism group of a limit group is residually finite.
We investigate the combinatorial and geometric properties of automorphism groups of universal right-angled Coxeter groups, which are the automorphism groups of free products of copies of Z_2. It is currently an open question as to whether or not these automorphism groups have non-positive curvature. Analogous to Outer Space as a model for Out(F_n), we prove that the natural combinatorial and topological model for their outer automorphism groups can \emph{not} be given an equivariant CAT(0) metric. This is particularly interesting as there are very few non-trivial examples of proving that a mod…
We show that every virtually torsion-free subgroup of the outer automorphism group of a conjugacy separable hyperbolic group is residually finite. As a result, we are able to prove that the group of outer automorphisms of every finitely generated Fuchsian group and of every free-by-finite group is resudually finite. We also generalize the main result for relatively hyperbolic groups.
We prove that, for n=3 and 4, the minimal nonabelian finite factor group of the outer automorphism group Out F_n of a free group of rank n is the linear group PSL_n(Z_2) (conjecturally, this may remain true for arbitrary rank n > 2). We also discuss some computational results on low index subgroups of Aut F_n and Out F_n, for n = 3 and 4, using presentations of these groups.
We show that the automorphism group of the disk complex is isomorphic to the handlebody group. Using this, we prove that the outer automorphism group of the handlebody group is trivial.
We show that there is no uniform upper bound on |Out(Aut(A))| when A ranges over all right-angled Artin groups. This is in contrast with the cases where A is free or free abelian: for all n, Dyer-Formanek and Bridson-Vogtmann showed that Out(Aut(F_n)) = 1, while Hua-Reiner showed |Out(Aut(Z^n)| = |Out(GL(n,Z))| < 5. We also prove the analogous theorem for Out(Out(A)). We establish our results by giving explicit examples; one useful tool is a new class of graphs called austere graphs.
Let V be a representation space of a finite group G. We determine the group structure of the first homology of the equivariant diffeomorphism group of V. Then we can apply it to the calculation of the first homology of the corresponding automorphism groups of smooth orbifolds, compact Hausdorff foliations, codimension one or two compact foliations and a locally free circle action on the 3-sphere.
We give a Dehn-Nielsen type theorem for the homology cobordism group of homology cylinders by considering its action on the acyclic closure, which was defined by Levine, of a free group. Then we construct an additive invariant of those homology cylinders which act on the acyclic closure trivially. We also describe some tools to study the automorphism group of the acyclic closure of a free group generalizing those for the automorphism group of a free group or the homology cobordism group of homology cylinders.
We compute the rational stable homology of the automorphism groups of free nilpotent groups. These groups interpolate between the general linear groups over the ring of integers and the automorphism groups of free groups, and we employ functor homology to reduce to the abelian case. As an application, we also compute the rational stable homology of the outer automorphism groups and of the mapping class groups of the associated aspherical nil-manifolds in the TOP, PL, and DIFF categories.
Let $A_1,...,A_k$ be a system of free factors of $F_n$. The group of relative automorphisms $Aut(F_n;A_1,...,A_k)$ is the group given by the automorphisms of $F_n$ that restricted to each $A_i$ are conjugations by elements in $F_n$. The group of relative outer automorphisms is defined as $Out(F_n;A_1,...,A_k) = Aut(F_n;A_1,...,A_k)/Inn(F_n)$, where $Inn(F_n)$ is the normal subgroup of $Aut(F_n)$ given by all the inner automorphisms. We define a contractible space on which $Out(F_n;A_1,...,A_k)$ acts with finite stabilizers and we compute the virtual cohomological dimension of this group.
This paper studies the rigidity properties of the abstract commensurator of the outer automorphism group of a universal Coxeter group of rank $n$, which is the free product $W_n$ of $n$ copies of $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$. We prove that for $n\geq 5$ the natural map $\mathrm{Out}(W_n) \to \mathrm{Comm}(\mathrm{Out}(W_n))$ is an isomorphism and that every isomorphism between finite index subgroups of $\mathrm{Out}(W_n)$ is given by a conjugation by an element of $\mathrm{Out}(W_n)$.
We let $φ$ be an ageometric fully irreducible outer automorphism so that its Handel-Mosher axis bundle consists of a single unique axis. We show that the centralizer $Cen(\langleφ\rangle)$ of the cyclic subgroup generated by $φ$ equals the stabilizer $\text{Stab}(Λ^+_φ)$ of the attracting lamination $Λ^+_φ$ and is isomorphic to $\mathbb Z$. We further show, via an analogous result about the commensurator, that the normalizer $N(\langleφ\rangle)$ of $\langle φ\rangle$ is isomorphic to either $\mathbb Z$ or $\mathbb Z_2 * \mathbb Z_2$.
For a right-angled Artin group $A_Γ$, the untwisted outer automorphism group $U(A_Γ)$ is the subgroup of $Out(A_Γ)$ generated by all of the Laurence-Servatius generators except twists (where a {\em twist} is an automorphisms of the form $v\mapsto vw$ with $vw=wv$). We define a space $Σ_Γ$ on which $U(A_Γ)$ acts properly and prove that $Σ_Γ$ is contractible, providing a geometric model for $U(A_Γ)$ and its subgroups. We also propose a geometric model for all of $Out(A_Γ)$ defined by allowing more general markings and metrics on points of $Σ_Γ$.
The fundamental group of a finite graph of groups with trivial edge groups is a free product. We are interested in those outer automorphisms of such a free product that permute the conjugacy classes of the vertex groups. We show that in particular cases of interest, such as where vertex groups are themselves finite free products of finite and cyclic groups, given such an outer automorphism, after passing to a positive power, the outer automorphism is represented by a particularly nice kind of relative train track map called a CT. CTs were first introduced by Feighn and Handel for outer automor…
Using Kontsevich's identification of the homology of the Lie algebra l_infty with the cohomology of Out(F_r), Morita defined a sequence of 4k-dimensional classes mu_k in the unstable rational homology of Out(F_{2k+2}). He showed by a computer calculation that the first of these is non-trivial, so coincides with the unique non-trivial rational homology class for Out(F_4). Using the "forested graph complex" introduced in [Algebr. Geom. Topol. 3 (2003) 1167--1224], we reinterpret and generalize Morita's cycles, obtaining an unstable cycle for every connected odd-valent graph. (Morita has independ…
Let $\mathcal{A} = {A_1, ..., A_k}$ be a system of free factors of $F_n$. The group of relative automorphisms $\mathrm{Aut}(F_n; \mathcal{A})$ is the group given by the automorphisms of $F_n$ that restricted to each $A_i$ are conjugations by elements in $F_n$. The group of relative outer automorphisms is defined as $\mathrm{Out}(F_n; \mathcal{A}) = \mathrm{Aut}(F_n; \mathcal{A}) / \mathrm{Inn}(F_n)$, where $\mathrm{Inn (F_n)$ is the normal subgroup of $\mathrm{Aut}(F_n)$ given by all the inner automorphisms. This group acts on the relative outer space $\mathrm{CV}_n(\mathcal{A})$. We prove tha…
Let $Σ$ be a compact oriented surface. The Dehn twist along every simple closed curve $γ\subset Σ$ induces an automorphism of the fundamental group $π$ of $Σ$. There are two possible ways to generalize such automorphisms if the curve $γ$ is allowed to have self-intersections. One way is to consider the `generalized Dehn twist' along $γ$: an automorphism of the Malcev completion of $π$ whose definition involves intersection operations and only depends on the homotopy class $[γ]\in π$ of $γ$. Another way is to choose in the usual cylinder $U:=Σ\times [-1,+1]$ a knot $L$ projecting onto $γ$, to p…
We show that the horoboundary of outer space for the Lipschitz metric is a quotient of Culler and Morgan's classical boundary, two trees being identified whenever their translation length functions are homothetic in restriction to the set of primitive elements of $F_N$. We identify the set of Busemann points with the set of trees with dense orbits. We also investigate a few properties of the horoboundary of outer space for the backward Lipschitz metric, and show in particular that it is infinite-dimensional when $N\ge 3$. We then use our description of the horoboundary of outer space to derive…
The geometric dimension for proper actions $\underline{\mathrm{gd}}(G)$ of a group $G$ is the minimal dimension of a classifying space for proper actions $\underline{E}G$. We construct for every integer $r\geq 1$, an example of a virtually torsion-free Gromov-hyperbolic group $G$ such that for every group $Γ$ which contains $G$ as a finite index normal subgroup, the virtual cohomological dimension $\mathrm{vcd}(Γ)$ of $Γ$ equals $\underline{\mathrm{gd}}(Γ)$ but such that the outer automorphism group $\mathrm{Out}(G)$ is virtually torsion-free, admits a cocompact model for $\underline E\mathrm{…
This paper, which is the second of a series of three papers, studies dynamical properties of elements of $\mathrm{Out}(F_{\tt n})$, the outer automorphism group of a nonabelian free group $F_{\tt n}$. We prove that, for every exponentially growing outer automorphism of $F_{\tt n}$, there exists a preferred compact topological space, the space of currents relative to a malnomal subgroup system, on which $ϕ$ acts by homeomorphism with a North-South dynamics behavior.
We describe a relationship between the monopole Floer homology of three-manifolds and the geometry of Riemann surfaces. Consider an automorphism $φ$ of a compact Riemann surface $Σ$ with quotient $\mathbb{P}^1$. There is a natural correspondence between theta characteristics $L$ on $Σ$ which are invariant under $φ$ and self-conjugate spin$^c$ structures $\mathfrak{s}_L$ on the mapping torus $M_φ$ of $φ$. We show that the monopole Floer homology groups of $(M_φ,\mathfrak{s}_L)$ are explicitly determined by the eigenvalues of the (lift of the) action of $φ$ on $H^0(L)$, the space of holomorphic …
H. Masur and J. Smillie proved precisely which singularity index lists arise from pseudo-Anosov mapping classes. In search of an analogous theorem for outer automorphisms of free groups, Handel and Mosher ask: Is each connected, simplicial, (2r-1)-vertex graph the ideal Whitehead graph of a fully irreducible outer automorphism in Out(F_r)? We answer this question in the negative by exhibiting, for each r, examples of connected (2r-1)-vertex graphs that are not the ideal Whitehead graph of any fully irreducible outer automorphism in Out(F_r)? In the course of our proof we also develop machinery…
We define and discuss a notion called fibered commensurability of outer automorphisms of free groups. This notion lets us study symmetry of outer automorphisms. The notion of fibered commensurability is first defined by Calegari-Sun-Wang on mapping class groups. The Nielsen-Thurston type of mapping classes is a commensurability invariant. One of the important facts of fibered commensurability on mapping class groups is for the case of pseudo-Anosovs, there is a unique minimal element in each fibered commensurability class. For outer automorphisms, we first show that being atoroidal and fully i…
We study the outer automorphism group of a right-angled Artin group $A_Γ$ with finite defining graph $Γ$. We construct a subnormal series for $Out(A_Γ)$ such that each consecutive quotient is either finite, free-abelian, $GL(n,\mathbb{Z})$, or a Fouxe-Rabinovitch group. The last two types act respectively on a symmetric space or a deformation space of trees, so that there is a geometric way of studying each piece. As a consequence we prove that the group $Out(A_Γ)$ is type VF (it has a finite index subgroup with a finite classifying space). The main technical work is a study of relative outer …
