arXiv subjects

Peter Huxford

Publications and source records attributed to Peter Huxford.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Rigidity of maps between configuration spaces

Let $n\geq5$ and $m\geq3$. Let $Φ\colon\mathrm{B}_n\to\mathrm{B}_m$ be a homomorphism of braid groups. We prove that if the image of $Φ$ is irreducible and not cyclic, then $m=n$ and $Φ$ agrees with an automorphism modulo the center $Z(\mathrm{B}_m)$. This resolves in the affirmative a conjecture of Chen, Kordek, and Margalit. It also provides a partial resolution to a problem on the K3 problem list. As a consequence, we prove that every holomorphic map $\mathrm{UConf}_n(\mathbb{C})\to\mathrm{UConf}_m(\mathbb{C})$ for $n\geq5$ and $m\geq3$ is affine equivalent to either a constant map or the identity map. This resolves a conjecture of Farb for $n\neq4$.

math.GT↗

arXiv2024

Noninjectivity of the monodromy of certain equicritical strata

An equicritical stratum is the locus of univariate monic squarefree complex polynomials where the critical points have prescribed multiplicities. Tracking the positions of both roots and critical points, there is a natural ``monodromy map'' taking the fundamental group into a braid group. We show here that when there are exactly two critical points, this monodromy map is noninjective.

math.GT↗

arXiv2024

Generators for the level $m$ congruence subgroups of braid groups

We prove for $m\geq1$ and $n\geq5$ that the level $m$ congruence subgroup $B_n[m]$ of the braid group $B_n$ associated to the integral Burau representation $B_n\to\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$ is generated by $m$th powers of half-twists and the braid Torelli group. This solves a problem of Margalit, generalizing work of Assion, Brendle--Margalit, Nakamura, Stylianakis and Wajnryb.

math.GR↗

arXiv2023

Braid groups, elliptic curves, and resolving the quartic

We show that, up to a natural equivalence relation, the only non-trivial, non-identity holomorphic maps $\mathrm{Conf}_n\mathbb{C}\to\mathrm{Conf}_m\mathbb{C}$ between unordered configuration spaces, where $m\in\{3,4\}$, are the resolving quartic map $R\colon\mathrm{Conf}_4\mathbb{C}\to\mathrm{Conf}_3\mathbb{C}$, a map $Ψ_3\colon\mathrm{Conf}_3\mathbb{C}\to\mathrm{Conf}_4\mathbb{C}$ constructed from the inflection points of elliptic curves in a family, and $Ψ_3\circ R$. This completes the classification of holomorphic maps $\mathrm{Conf}_n\mathbb{C}\to\mathrm{Conf}_m\mathbb{C}$ for $m\leq n$, extending results of Lin, Chen and Salter, and partially resolves a conjecture of Farb. We also classify the holomorphic families of elliptic curves over $\mathrm{Conf}_n\mathbb{C}$. To do this we classify homomorphisms between braid groups with few strands and $\mathrm{PSL}_2\mathbb{Z}$, then apply powerful results from complex analysis and Teichmüller theory. Furthermore, we prove a conjecture of Castel about the equivalence classes of endomorphisms of the braid group with three strands.

math.GT↗

arXiv2019

Short presentations of finite simple groups

Guralnick, Kantor, Kassabov and Lubotzky (J. Eur. Math. Soc. 13.2, 2011, 391-458) [GKKL] give 3-generator 7-relator presentations of $A_n$ and $S_n$ with bit-length $O(\log n)$ for $n\geq5$. This is the best possible bit-length, since $Ω(\log n)$ bits are required to specify the integer $n$ in the input. However, the generators do not satisfy the relations. This paper considers the relevant arguments given in [GKKL], identifies where the errors occur, and shows how they can be fixed in order to recover this result. The presentations are available in Magma.

math.GR↗