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A. Yu. Olshanskii

Publications and source records attributed to A. Yu. Olshanskii.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2020

Algorithmic problems in groups with quadratic Dehn function

We construct and study finitely presented groups with quadratic Dehn function (QD-groups) and present the following applications of the method developed in our recent papers. (1) The isomorphism problem is undecidable in the class of QD-groups. (2) For every recursive function $f$, there is a QD-group $G$ containing a finitely presented subgroup $H$ whose Dehn function grows faster than $f$. (3) There exists a group with undecidable conjugacy problem but decidable power conjugacy problem; this group is QD.

math.GR↗
arXiv2017

On flat submaps of maps of non-positive curvature

We prove that for every $r>0$ if a non-positively curved $(p,q)$-map $M$ contains no flat submaps of radius $r$, then the area of $M$ does not exceed $Crn$ for some constant $C$. This strengthens a theorem of Ivanov and Schupp. We show that an infinite $(p,q)$-map which tessellates the plane is quasi-isometric to the Euclidean plane if and only if the map contains only finitely many non-flat vertices and faces. We also generalize Ivanov and Schupp's result to a much larger class of maps, namely to maps with angle functions.

math.GR↗
arXiv2014

$C^\ast$-simple groups without free subgroups

We construct first examples of non-trivial groups without non-cyclic free subgroups whose reduced $C^\ast$-algebra is simple and has unique trace. This answers a question of de la Harpe. Both torsion and torsion free examples are provided. In particular, we show that the reduced $C^\ast$-algebra of the free Burnside group $B(m,n)$ of rank $m\ge 2$ and any sufficiently large odd exponent $n$ is simple and has unique trace.

math.GR↗
arXiv2013

On pairs of finitely generated subgroups in free groups

We prove that for arbitrary two finitely generated subgroups A and B having infinite index in a free group F, there is a subgroup H of finite index in B such that the subgroup generated by A and H has infinite index in F. The main corollary of this theorem says that a noncyclic free group of finite rank admits a faithful highly transitive action on an infinite set, whereas the restriction of this action to any finitely generated subgroup of infinite index in F has no infinite orbits.

math.GR↗
arXiv2013

On topologizable and non-topologizable groups

A group $G$ is called hereditarily non-topologizable if, for every $H\le G$, no quotient of $H$ admits a non-discrete Hausdorff topology. We construct first examples of infinite hereditarily non-topologizable groups. This allows us to prove that c-compactness does not imply compactness for topological groups. We also answer several other open questions about c-compact groups asked by Dikranjan and Uspenskij. On the other hand, we suggest a method of constructing topologizable groups based on generic properties in the space of marked $k$-generated groups. As an application, we show that there exist non-discrete quasi-cyclic groups of finite exponent; this answers a question of Morris and Obraztsov.

math.GR↗
arXiv2009

Lacunary hyperbolic groups

We call a finitely generated group lacunary hyperbolic if one of its asymptotic cones is an R-tree. We characterize lacunary hyperbolic groups as direct limits of Gromov hyperbolic groups satisfying certain restrictions on the hyperbolicity constants and injectivity radii. Using central extensions of lacunary hyperbolic groups, we solve a problem of Gromov by constructing a group whose asymptotic cone C has countable but non-trivial fundamental group (in fact C is homeomorphic to the direct product of a tree and a circle, so π_1(C)=Z). We show that the class of lacunary hyperbolic groups contains elementary amenable groups, groups with all proper subgroups cyclic, and torsion groups. This allows us to solve two problems of Drutu and Sapir, and a problem of Kleiner about groups with cut-points in their asymptotic cones. We also construct a finitely generated group whose divergence function is not linear but is arbitrarily close to being linear. This answers a question of Behrstock.

math.GR↗
arXiv2009

Periodic quotients of hyperbolic and large groups

Let $G$ be either a non-elementary (word) hyperbolic group or a large group (both in the sense of Gromov). In this paper we describe several approaches for constructing continuous families of periodic quotients of $G$ with various properties. The first three methods work for any non-elementary hyperbolic group, producing three different continua of periodic quotients of $G$. They are based on the results and techniques, that were developed by Ivanov and Olshanskii in order to show that there exists an integer $n$ such that $G/G^n$ is an infinite group of exponent $n$. The fourth approach starts with a large group $G$ and produces a continuum of pairwise non-isomorphic periodic residually finite quotients. Speaking of a particular application, we use each of these methods to give a positive answer to a question of Wiegold from Kourovka Notebook.

math.GR↗
arXiv2008

On $k$-free-like groups

A $k$-free like group is a $k$-generated group $G$ with a sequence of $k$-element generating sets $Z_n$ such that the girth of $G$ relative to $Z_n$ is unbounded and the Cheeger constant of $G$ relative to $Z_n$ is bounded away from 0. By a recent result of Benjamini-Nachmias-Peres, this implies that the critical bond percolation probability of the Cayley graph of $G$ relative to $Z_n$ tends to $1/(2k-1)$ as $n\to \infty$. Answering a question of Benjamini, we construct many non-free groups that are $k$-free like for all sufficiently large $k$.

math.GR↗
arXiv2007

On products of T-ideals in free algebras and free group algebras

Let F be a field and A a free associative F-algebra or a group algebra of a free group with an infinite set X of generators. We find a necessary and sufficient condition for the inclusion I' into I, where I=I_1...I_k and I'=I'_1...I'_l are any products of T-ideals in A. A canonical reformulation in terms of products of group representation varieties answers a question posed in 1986

math.RA↗
arXiv2006

Large groups and their periodic quotients

We first give a short group theoretic proof of the following result of Lackenby. If $G$ is a large group, $H$ is a finite index subgroup of $G$ admitting an epimorphism onto a non--cyclic free group, and $g$ is an element of $H$, then the quotient of $G$ by the normal subgroup generated by $g^n$ is large for all but finitely many $n\in \mathbb Z$. In the second part of this note we use similar methods to show that for every infinite sequence of primes $(p_1, p_2, ...)$, there exists an infinite finitely generated periodic group $Q$ with descending normal series $Q=Q_0\rhd Q_1\rhd ... $, such that $\bigcap_i Q_i=\{1\} $ and $Q_{i-1}/Q_i$ is either trivial or abelian of exponent $p_i$.

math.GR↗