Related papers: SL(n,Z) cannot act on small spheres

The symplectic group Sp(2g,Z) is a subgroup of the linear group SL(2g,Z) and admits a faithful action on the sphere S^(2g-1), induced from its linear action on Euclidean space R^(2g). Generalizing corresponding results for linear groups, we…

Any continuous action of SL(n,Z), where n > 2, on a r-dimensional mod 2 homology sphere factors through a finite group action if r < n - 1. In particular, any continuous action of SL(n+2,Z) on the n-dimensional sphere factors through a…

For n at least 3, let SAut(F_n) denote the unique subgroup of index two in the automorphism group of a free group. The standard linear action of SL(n,Z) on R^n induces non-trivial actions of SAut(F_n) on R^n and on S^{n-1}. We prove that…

It is a consequence of the classical Jordan bound for finite subgroups of linear groups that in each dimension n there are only finitely many finite simple groups which admit a faithful, linear action on the n-sphere. In the present paper…

We consider the following problem: for which classes of finite groups, and in particular finite simple groups, does the minimal dimension of a faithful, smooth action on a homology sphere coincide with the minimal dimension of a faithful,…

We establish lower bounds on the dimensions in which arithmetic groups with torsion can act on acyclic manifolds and homology spheres. The bounds rely on the existence of elementary p-groups in the groups concerned. In some cases, including…

Let $\mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{Z})$ $(n\geq 3)$ be the special linear group and $M^{r}$ be a closed aspherical manifold. It is proved that when $r<n,$ a group action of $\mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{Z})$ on $M^{r}$ by homeomorphisms is trivial if…

The group $SL(n,{\bf Z})$ acts linearly on $\R^n$, preserving the integer lattice $\Z^{n} \subset \R^{n}$. The induced (left) action on the n-torus $\T^{n} = \R^{n}/\Z^{n}$ will be referred to as the ``standard action''. It has recently…

Let SL(n,Z) be the special linear group over integers and $M =S^r_1 \times S^r_2,T^r_1 \times S^r_2$ , or $T^r_0 \times S^r_1 \times S^r_2$, products of spheres and tori. We prove that any group action of SL(n,Z) on $M^r$ by diffeomorphims…

The standard actions of finite groups on spheres S^d are linear actions, i.e. by finite subgroups of the orthogonal group O(d+1). We prove that, in each dimension d>5, there is a finite group G which admits a faithful, topological action on…

There are four groups $G$ fitting into a short exact sequence $ 1\rightarrow SL(2,5)\rightarrow G\rightarrow C_2\rightarrow 1, $ where $SL(2,5)$ is the special linear group of $(2\times 2)$-matrices with entries in the field of five…

A finite nonabelian simple group does not admit a free action on a homology sphere, and the only finite simple group which acts on a homology sphere with at most 0-dimensional fixed point sets ("pseudofree action") is the alternating group…

An analog of the Baumslag-Solitar group BS(1,k) naturally acts on the sphere by conformal transformations. The action is not locally rigid in higher dimension, but exhibits a weak form of local rigidity. More precisely, any perturbation…

We consider SL$(2,\mathbb{Z})$ action on quantum field theories with U(1) subsystem symmetry in five dimensions. This is an analog of the SL$(2,\mathbb{Z})$ action considered in arXiv:hep-th/0307041. We show that the exotic level 1 BF…

In this paper we study smooth orientation-preserving free actions of the cyclic group $\mathbb Z/m$ on a class of $(n-1)$-connected $2n$-manifolds, $\sharp g (S^n \times S^n)\sharp \Sigma$, where $\Sigma$ is a homotopy $2n$-sphere. When…

We study finite group actions on smooth manifolds of the form $M\#\Sigma$, where $\Sigma$ is an exotic $n$-sphere and $M$ is a closed aspherical space form. We give a classification result for free actions of finite groups on $M\#\Sigma$…

Let $X_0$ denote a compact, simply-connected smooth $4$-manifold with boundary the Poincar\'e homology $3$-sphere $\Sigma(2,3,5)$ and with even negative definite intersection form $Q_{X_0}=E_8$. We show that free $\mathbb{Z}/p$ actions on…

A free action of a finite group on an odd-dimensional sphere is said to be almost linear if the action restricted to each cyclic or 2-hyperelementary subgroup is conjugate to a free linear action. We begin this survey paper by reviewing the…

The main result is a classification of smooth actions of $SL(n,{\bf R})$, $n \geq 3$, or connected groups locally isomorphic to it, on closed $n$-manifolds, extending a theorem of Uchida. We construct new exotic actions of $SL(n,{\bf Z})$…

We prove that SU(n) (n > 2) and Sp(n)U(1) (n > 1) are the only connected Lie groups acting transitively and effectively on some sphere which can be weak holonomy groups of a Riemannian manifold without having to contain its holonomy group.…