A new filtration of the Magnus kernel

dc.contributor.advisorHarvey, Shelly
dc.contributor.committeeMemberCochran, Tim D.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberRiviere, Beatrice M.
dc.creatorMcNeill, Reagin
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-16T15:58:08Z
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-16T15:58:10Z
dc.date.available2013-09-16T15:58:08Z
dc.date.available2013-09-16T15:58:10Z
dc.date.created2013-05
dc.date.issued2013-09-16
dc.date.submittedMay 2013
dc.date.updated2013-09-16T15:58:10Z
dc.description.abstractFor 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.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationMcNeill, Reagin. "A new filtration of the Magnus kernel." (2013) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/72006">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/72006</a>.
dc.identifier.slug123456789/ETD-2013-05-458
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/72006
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectLower central series
dc.subjectSurfaces
dc.subjectMapping class groups
dc.subjectPure braids
dc.subjectMagnus kernel
dc.subjectFree groups
dc.subjectJohnson subgroups
dc.titleA new filtration of the Magnus kernel
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentMathematics
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
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