A new filtration of the Magnus kernel

Date
2013-09-16
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Abstract

For a oriented genus g surface with one boundary component, S_g, the Torelli group is the group of orientation preserving homeomorphisms of S_g that induce the identity on homology. The Magnus representation of the Torelli group represents the action on F/F'' where F=π_1(S_g) and F'' is the second term of the derived series. I show that the kernel of the Magnus representation, Mag(S_g), is highly non-trivial and has a rich structure as a group. Specifically, I define an infinite filtration of Mag(S_g) by subgroups, called the higher order Magnus subgroups, M_k(S_g). I develop methods for generating nontrivial mapping classes in M_k(S_g) for all k and g≥2. I show that for each k the quotient M_k(S_g)/M_{k+1}(S_g) contains a subgroup isomorphic to a lower central series quotient of free groups E(g-1)k/E(g-1){k+1}. Finally I show that for g≥3 the quotient M_k(S_g)/M_{k+1}(S_g) surjects onto an infinite rank torsion free abelian group. To do this, I define a Johnson-type homomorphism on each higher order Magnus subgroup quotient and show it has a highly non-trivial image.

Description
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Lower central series, Surfaces, Mapping class groups, Pure braids, Magnus kernel, Free groups, Johnson subgroups
Citation

McNeill, Reagin. "A new filtration of the Magnus kernel." (2013) Diss., Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/72006.

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