Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Matthew C. B. Zaremsky

Publications and source records attributed to Matthew C. B. Zaremsky.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2018

Simple groups separated by finiteness properties

We show that for every positive integer $n$ there exists a simple group that is of type $\mathrm{F}_{n-1}$ but not of type $\mathrm{F}_n$. For $n\ge 3$ these groups are the first known examples of this kind. They also provide infinitely many quasi-isometry classes of finitely presented simple groups. The only previously known infinite family of such classes, due to Caprace--Rémy, consists of non-affine Kac--Moody groups over finite fields. Our examples arise from Röver--Nekrashevych groups, and contain free abelian groups of infinite rank.

math.GR↗
arXiv2018

On normal subgroups of the braided Thompson groups

We inspect the normal subgroup structure of the braided Thompson groups Vbr and Fbr. We prove that every proper normal subgroup of Vbr lies in the kernel of the natural quotient Vbr \onto V, and we exhibit some families of interesting such normal subgroups. For Fbr, we prove that for any normal subgroup N of Fbr, either N is contained in the kernel of Fbr \onto F, or else N contains [Fbr,Fbr]. We also compute the Bieri-Neumann-Strebel invariant Sigma^1(Fbr), which is a useful tool for understanding normal subgroups containing the commutator subgroup.

math.GR↗
arXiv2017

Commensurability invariance for abelian splittings of right-angled Artin groups, braid groups and loop braid groups

We prove that if a right-angled Artin group $A_Γ$ is abstractly commensurable to a group splitting non-trivially as an amalgam or HNN-extension over $\mathbb{Z}^n$, then $A_Γ$ must itself split non-trivially over $\mathbb{Z}^k$ for some $k\le n$. Consequently, if two right-angled Artin groups $A_Γ$ and $A_Δ$ are commensurable and $Γ$ has no separating $k$-cliques for any $k\le n$ then neither does $Δ$, so "smallest size of separating clique" is a commensurability invariant. We also discuss some implications for issues of quasi-isometry. Using similar methods we also prove that for $n\ge 4$ the braid group $B_n$ is not abstractly commensurable to any group that splits non-trivially over a "free group-free" subgroup, and the same holds for $n\ge 3$ for the loop braid group $LB_n$. Our approach makes heavy use of the Bieri--Neumann--Strebel invariant.

math.GR↗
arXiv2017

Groups of fast homeomorphisms of the interval and the ping-pong argument

We adapt the Ping-Pong Lemma, which historically was used to study free products of groups, to the setting of the homeomorphism group of the unit interval. As a consequence, we isolate a large class of generating sets for subgroups of $\mathrm{Homeo}_+(I)$ for which certain finite dynamical data can be used to determine the marked isomorphism type of the groups which they generate. As a corollary, we will obtain a criteria for embedding subgroups of $\mathrm{Homeo}_+(I)$ into Richard Thompson's group $F$. In particular, every member of our class of generating sets generates a group which embeds into $F$ and in particular is not a free product. An analogous abstract theory is also developed for groups of permutations of an infinite set.

math.GR↗
arXiv2016

Symmetric automorphisms of free groups, BNSR-invariants, and finiteness properties

The BNSR-invariants of a group $G$ are a sequence $Σ^1(G)\supseteq Σ^2(G) \supseteq \cdots$ of geometric invariants that reveal important information about finiteness properties of certain subgroups of $G$. We consider the symmetric automorphism group $ΣAut_n$ and pure symmetric automorphism group $PΣAut_n$ of the free group $F_n$, and inspect their BNSR-invariants. We prove that for $n\ge 2$, all the ``positive'' and ``negative'' character classes of $PΣAut_n$ lie in $Σ^{n-2}(PΣAut_n)\setminus Σ^{n-1}(PΣAut_n)$. We use this to prove that for $n\ge 2$, $Σ^{n-2}(ΣAut_n)$ equals the full character sphere $S^0$ of $ΣAut_n$ but $Σ^{n-1}(ΣAut_n)$ is empty, so in particular the commutator subgroup $ΣAut_n'$ is of type $F_{n-2}$ but not $F_{n-1}$. Our techniques involve applying Morse theory to the complex of symmetric marked cactus graphs.

math.GR↗
arXiv2016

The Basilica Thompson group is not finitely presented

We show that the Basilica Thompson group introduced by Belk and Forrest is not finitely presented, and in fact is not of type FP_2. The proof involves developing techniques for proving non-simple connectedness of certain subcomplexes of CAT(0) cube complexes.

math.GR↗
arXiv2015

Separation in the BNSR-invariants of the pure braid groups

We inspect the BNSR-invariants $Σ^m(P_n)$ of the pure braid groups $P_n$, using Morse theory. The BNS-invariants $Σ^1(P_n)$ were previously computed by Koban, McCammond and Meier. We prove that for any $3\le m\le n$, the inclusion $Σ^{m-2}(P_n)\subseteq Σ^{m-3}(P_n)$ is proper, but $Σ^\infty(P_n)=Σ^{n-2}(P_n)$. We write down explicit character classes in each relevant $Σ^{m-3}(P_n)\setminus Σ^{m-2}(P_n)$. In particular we get examples of normal subgroups $N\le P_n$ with $P_n/N\cong\mathbb{Z}$ such that $N$ is of type $F_{m-3}$ but not $F_{m-2}$, for all $3\le m\le n$.

math.GR↗
arXiv2015

On the $Σ$-invariants of generalized Thompson groups and Houghton groups

We compute the higher $Σ$-invariants $Σ^m(F_{n,\infty})$ of the generalized Thompson groups $F_{n,\infty}$, for all $m,n\ge 2$. This extends the $n=2$ case done by Bieri, Geoghegan and Kochloukova, and the $m=2$ case done by Kochloukova. Our approach differs from those used in the $n=2$ and $m=2$ cases; we look at the action of $F_{n,\infty}$ on a $\textrm{CAT}(0)$ cube complex, and use Morse theory to compute all the $Σ^m(F_{n,\infty})$. We also obtain lower bounds on $Σ^m(H_n)$, for the Houghton groups $H_n$, again using actions on $\textrm{CAT}(0)$ cube complexes, and discuss evidence that these bounds are sharp.

math.GR↗
arXiv2014

HNN decompositions of the Lodha-Moore groups, and topological applications

The Lodha-Moore groups provide the first known examples of type F_\infty groups that are non-amenable and contain no non-abelian free subgroups. These groups are related to Thompson's group F in certain ways, for instance they contain it as a subgroup in a natural way. We exhibit decompositions of four Lodha-Moore groups, G, G_y, {_y}G and {_y}G_y, into ascending HNN extensions of isomorphic copies of each other, both in ways reminiscent to such decompositions for F and also in quite different ways. This allows us to prove two new topological results about the Lodha-Moore groups. First, we prove that they all have trivial homotopy groups at infinity; in particular they are the first examples of groups satisfying all four parts of Geoghegan's 1979 conjecture about F. Second, we compute the Bieri-Neumann-Strebel invariant Sigma^1 for the Lodha-Moore groups, and get some partial results for the Bieri-Neumann-Strebel-Renz invariants Sigma^m, including a full computation of Sigma^2.

math.GR↗
arXiv2014

On Belk's classifying space for Thompson's group F

The space of configurations of n ordered points in the plane serves as a classifying space for the pure braid group PB_n. Elements of Thompson's group F admit a model similar to braids, except instead of braiding the strands split and merge. In Belk's thesis, a space CF was considered, of configurations of points on the real line allowing for splitting and merging, and a proof was sketched that CF is a classifying space for F. The idea there was to build the universal cover and construct an explicit contraction to a point. Here we start with an established CAT(0) cube complex X on which F acts freely, and construct an explicit homotopy equivalence between X/F and CF, proving that CF is indeed a K(F,1).

math.GR↗
arXiv2014

The Brin-Thompson groups sV are of type F_\infty

We prove that the Brin-Thompson groups sV, also called higher dimensional Thompson's groups, are of type F_\infty for all natural numbers s. This result was previously shown for s up to 3, by considering the action of sV on a naturally associated space. Our key step is to retract this space to a subspace sX which is easier to analyze.

math.GR↗
arXiv2014

Higher generation for pure braid groups

We exhibit some families of subgroups of the pure braid group that are highly generating, in the sense of Abels and Holz. In one class of examples, the relevant geometric object is a complex termed the restricted arc complex of a surface. Another arises by considering "dangling braiges," introduced by Bux, Fluch, Schwandt, Witzel and the author.

math.GR↗
arXiv2014

A combinatorial proof of the Degree Theorem in Auter space

We use discrete Morse theory to give a new proof of the Degree Theorem in Auter space A_n. There is a filtration of A_n into subspaces A_{n,k} using the degree of a graph, and the Degree Theorem says that each A_{n,k} is (k-1)-connected. This result is useful, for example to calculate stability bounds for the homology of Aut(F_n). The standard proof of the Degree Theorem is global in nature. Here we give a proof that only uses local considerations, and lends itself more readily to generalization.

math.GR↗
arXiv2013

A free subgroup in the image of the 4-strand Burau representation

It is known that the Burau representation of the 4-strand braid group is faithful if and only if certain matrices f and k generate a (non-abelian) free group. Regarding f and k as isometries of a euclidean building we show that f^3 and k^3 generate a free group. We give two proofs, one utilizing the metric geometry of the building, and the other using simplicial retractions.

math.GR↗
arXiv2012

Rational homological stability for groups of partially symmetric automorphisms of free groups

Let F_{n+m} be the free group of rank n+m, with generators x_1,...,x_{n+m}. An automorphism ϕof F_{n+m} is called partially symmetric if for each 1 \le i \le m, ϕ(x_i) is conjugate to x_j or x_j^{-1} for some 1 \le j \le m. Let Σ\Aut_n^m be the group of partially symmetric automorphisms. We prove that for any m \ge 0 the inclusion Σ\Aut_n^m \to Σ\Aut_{n+1}^m induces an isomorphism in rational homology for dimensions i satisfying n \ge (3(i+1)+m)/2, with a similar statement for the groups PΣ\Aut_n^m of pure partially symmetric automorphisms. We also prove that for any n \ge 0 the inclusion Σ\Aut_n^m \to Σ\Aut_n^{m+1} induces an isomorphism in rational homology for dimensions i satisfying m > (3i-1)/2.

math.GR↗
arXiv2012

Division algebras and transitivity of group actions on buildings

Let D be a division algebra with center F and degree d>2. Let K|F be any splitting field. We analyze the action of D^\times and SL_1(D) on the spherical and affine buildings that may be associated to GL_d(K) and SL_d(K), and in particular show it is never strongly transitive. In the affine case we find examples where the action is nonetheless Weyl transitive. This extends results of Abramenko and Brown concerning the d=2 case, where strong transitivity is in fact possible. Our approach produces some explicit constructions, and we find that for d>2 the failure of the action to be strongly transitive is quite dramatic.

math.GR↗
arXiv2012

Rational homological stability for groups of symmetric automorphisms of free groups

Let F_n be the free group of rank n, with generating set S=\{x_1,...,x_n\}. An automorphism ϕof F_n is called symmetric if for each 1\leq i\leq n, ϕ(x_i) is conjugate to x_j or x_j^{-1} for some 1\leq j\leq n. Let ΣAut(F_n) be the group of symmetric automorphisms. We prove that the inclusion ΣAut(F_n) \rightarrow ΣAut(F_{n+1}) induces an isomorphism in rational homology for n>(3i-1)/2.

math.GR↗