Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

M. J. Dunwoody

Publications and source records attributed to M. J. Dunwoody.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Patterns and Tracks

Patterns in triangulated $2$-spheres and $3$-spheres are investigated. A reworking of the proof of Abigail Thompson of the Recognition Algorithm for $S^3$ is presented together with an explanation of how it can be adapted to give a short, self-contained proof of the Poincaré Conjecture.

math.GT↗

The Kropholler Conjecture

The first version of this paper gave another proof of the Kropholler Conjecture, which gives a relative version of Stallings Ends Theorem, following an earlier incorrect proof. It has been pointed out by Sam Shepherd that the the second proof was still inadequate. We explain the difficulty and possible ways to obtain a correct proof.

math.GR↗

Finitely Presented Groups Acting on Trees

It is shown that for any action of a finitely presented group $G$ on an $\R$-tree, there is a decomposition of $G$ as the fundamental group of a graph of groups related to this action. If the action of $G$ on $T$ is non-trivial, i.e. there is no global fixed point, then $G$ has a non-trivial action on a simplcial $\R $-tree.

math.GT↗

Structure trees, networks and almost invariant sets

A self-contained account of the theory of structure trees for edge cuts in networks is given. Applications include a generalisation of the Max-Flow Min-Cut Theorem to infinite networks and a short proof of a conjecture of Kropholler. This gives a relative version of Stallings' Theorem on the structure of groups with more than one end. A generalisation of the Almost Stability Theorem is also obtained, which provides information about the structure of the Sageev cubing.

math.CO↗

Vertex Cuts

We generalise structure tree theory, which is based on removing finitely many edges, to removing finitely many vertices. This gives a significant generalization of Tutte's tree decomposition of 2-connected graphs into 3-connected blocks. For a finite graph there is a structure tree that contains information about $k$-connectivity for any $k$. The theory can also be applied to infinite graphs that have more than one vertex end, i.e. ends that can be separated by removing a finite number of vertices. This gives a generalization of Stallings' structure theorem for groups with more than one end.

math.GR↗

Structure Trees and Networks

In this paper it is shown that for any network there is a uniquely determined network based on a structure tree that provides a convenient way of determining a minimal cut separating a pair $s, t$ where each of $s, t$ is either a vertex or an end in the original network. A Max-Flow Min-Cut Theorem is proved for any network. In the case of a Cayley Graph for a finitely generated group the theory provides another proof of Stallings' Theorem on the structure of groups with more than one end.

math.CO↗

Almost Invariant Sets

A short proof of a conjecture of Kropholler is given. This gives a relative version of Stallings' Theorem on the structure of groups with more than one end. A generalisation of the Almost Stability Theorem is also obtained, that gives information about the structure of the Sageev cubing.

math.GR↗

An Inaccessible Graph

An inaccessible, vertex transitive, locally finite graph is described. This graph is not quasi-isometric to a Cayley graph.

math.GR↗

Planar graphs and covers

Planar locally finite graphs which are almost vertex transitive are discussed. If the graph is 3-connected and has at most one end then the group of automorphisms is a planar discontinuous group and its structure is well-known. A general result is obtained for such graphs where no restriction is put on the number of ends. It is shown that such a graph can be built up from one ended or finite planar graphs in a precise way. The results give a classification of the finitely generated groups with planar Cayley graphs.

math.GR↗

Rectangle groups

A class of groups is investigated, each of which has a fairly simple presentation . For example the group $R = (a, b, c, d | a^3 = b^3 = c^3 = d^3 = 1, ba^{-1} =dc^{-1}, ca^{-1} = db^{-1}) $ is in the class. Such a group does not have as a homomorphic image any group which is a 2-orbifold group or which is a group of isometries of the reals. However it does have incompatible splittings over subgroups which are not small. This contradicts some ideas I had about universal JSJ decompostions for finitely presented groups over finitely generated subgroups. Such a group also has an unstable action on an R-tree and a cocompact action on a CAT(0) cube complex with finite cyclic point stabilizers, and trivial edge stabilizers.

math.GT↗

Retracts of vertex sets of trees and the almost stability theorem

Let G be a group, let T be an (oriented) G-tree with finite edge stabilizers, and let VT denote the vertex set of T. We show that, for each G-retract V' of the G-set VT, there exists a G-tree whose edge stabilizers are finite and whose vertex set is V'. This fact leads to various new consequences of the almost stability theorem. We also give an example of a group G, a G-tree T and a G-retract V' of VT such that no G-tree has vertex set V'.

math.GR↗

Folding sequences

Bestvina and Feighn showed that a morphism S --> T between two simplicial trees that commutes with the action of a group G can be written as a product of elementary folding operations. Here a more general morphism between simplicial trees is considered, which allow different groups to act on S and T. It is shown that these morphisms can again be written as a product of elementary operations: the Bestvina-Feighn folds plus the so-called `vertex morphisms'. Applications of this theory are presented. Limits of infinite folding sequences are considered. One application is that a finitely generated inaccessible group must contain an infinite torsion subgroup.

math.GT↗