arXiv subjects

Rebecca Rechkin

Publications and source records attributed to Rebecca Rechkin.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Automorphisms of the sphere complex of an infinite graph

For a locally finite, connected graph $\Gamma$, let $\operatorname{Map}(\Gamma)$ denote the group of proper homotopy equivalences of $\Gamma$ up to proper homotopy. Excluding sporadic cases, we show $\operatorname{Aut}(S(M_\Gamma)) \cong \operatorname{Map}(\Gamma)$, where $\mathcal{S}(M_\Gamma)$ is the sphere complex of the doubled handlebody $M_\Gamma$ associated to $\Gamma$. We also construct an exhaustion of $S(M_\Gamma)$ by finite strongly rigid sets when $\Gamma$ has finite rank and finitely many rays, and an appropriate generalization otherwise.

math.GT↗

arXiv2023

Coarsely bounded generating sets for mapping class groups of infinite-type surfaces

Mann and Rafi's seminal work initiated the study of the coarse geometry of big mapping class groups. Specifically, they construct coarsely bounded (CB) generating sets for mapping class groups of a large class of infinite-type surfaces. In this expository note, we illustrate examples of surfaces whose mapping class groups admit such generating sets, as well as those that do not, with the goal of exploring the context of Mann--Rafi's hypotheses.

math.GT↗

arXiv2022

Thurston's Theorem: Entropy in Dimension One

In his paper, Thurston shows that a positive real number $h$ is the topological entropy for an ergodic traintrack representative of an outer automorphism of a free group if and only if its expansion constant $\lambda = e^h$ is a weak Perron number. This is a powerful result, answering a question analogous to one regarding surfaces and stretch factors of pseudo-Anosov homeomorphisms. However, much of the machinery used to prove this seminal theorem on traintrack maps is contained in the part of Thurston's paper on the entropy of postcritically finite interval maps and the proof difficult to parse. In this expository paper, we modernize Thurston's approach, fill in gaps in the original paper, and distill Thurston's methods to give a cohesive proof of the traintrack theorem. Of particular note is the addition of a proof of ergodicity of the traintrack representatives, which was missing in Thurston's paper.

math.GT↗

arXiv2020

Complementary Numerical Sets

A numerical set $S$ is a cofinite subset of $\mathbb{N}$ which contains $0$. We use the natural bijection between numerical sets and Young diagrams to define a numerical set $\widetilde{S}$, such that their Young diagrams are complements. We determine various properties of $\widetilde{S}$, particularly with an eye to closure under addition (for both $S$ and $\widetilde{S}$), which promotes a numerical set to become a numerical semigroup.

math.CO↗