English

Ping-pong and Outer space

Group Theory 2011-06-03 v4 Geometric Topology

Abstract

We prove that if ϕ,ψOut(FN)\phi,\psi\in Out(F_N) are hyperbolic iwips (irreducible with irreducible powers) such that <ϕ,ψ>Out(FN)<\phi,\psi>\le Out(F_N) is not virtually cyclic then some high powers of ϕ\phi and ψ\psi generate a free subgroup of rank two, all of whose nontrivial elements are again hyperbolic iwips. Being a hyperbolic iwip element of Out(FN)Out(F_N) is strongly analogous to being a pseudo-Anosov element of a mapping class group, so the above result provides analogs of "purely pseudo-Anosov" free subgroups of Out(FN)Out(F_N).

Cite

@article{arxiv.0902.4017,
  title  = {Ping-pong and Outer space},
  author = {Ilya Kapovich and Martin Lustig},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0902.4017},
  year   = {2011}
}

Comments

revised version incorporating the referee's suggestions

R2 v1 2026-06-21T12:14:42.086Z