Andrews-Curtis and Nielsen equivalence relations on some infinite groups

Abstract

The Andrews-Curtis conjecture asserts that, for a free group $F_n$ of rank $n$ and a free basis $(x_1,...,x_n)$, any normally generating tuple $(y_1,...,y_n)$ is Andrews-Curtis equivalent to $(x_1,...,x_n)$. This equivalence corresponds to the actions of $\operatorname{Aut}F_n$ and of $F_n$ on normally generating $n$-tuples. The equivalence corresponding to the action of $\operatorname{Aut}F_n$ on generating $n$-tuples is called Nielsen equivalence. The conjecture for arbitrary finitely generated group has its own importance to analyse potential counter-examples to the original conjecture. We study the Andrews-Curtis and Nielsen equivalence in the class of finitely generated groups for which every maximal subgroup is normal, including nilpotent groups and Grigorchuk groups.