English

Random divergence of groups

Group Theory 2023-03-20 v1 Probability

Abstract

The divergence of a group is a quasi-isometry invariant defined in terms of pairs of points and lengths of paths avoiding a suitable ball around the identity. In this paper we study "random divergence'', meaning the divergence at two points chosen according to independent random walks or Markov chains; the Markov chains version can be turned into a quasi-isometry invariant. We show that in many cases, such as for relatively hyperbolic groups, mapping class groups, and right-angled Artin groups, the divergence at two randomly chosen points is with high probability equivalent to the divergence of the group. That is, generic points realise the largest possible divergence.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2303.09943,
  title  = {Random divergence of groups},
  author = {Antoine Goldsborough and Alessandro Sisto},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2303.09943},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

21 pages. 2 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-28T09:21:27.957Z