Questions tagged [3-manifolds]

A three-manifold is a space that locally looks like Euclidean three-dimensional space

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1 vote
2 answers
297 views

The moduli space of finite volume hyperbolic 3-manifolds?

By finite volume hyperbolic 3-manifold, I do mean $M=\mathbb{H}^{3}/\Gamma$ where $\Gamma$ is a torsion-free Kleinian group such that the hyperbolic volume $Vol(M)<\infty$. I will call $$\mathcal{M}...
9 votes
1 answer
452 views

Noncompact three-manifold with fundamental group isomorphic to a surface group

Let $M$ be an open orientable three-manifold such that $\pi_1 (M)$ is isomorphic to the fundamental group of a closed orientable surface $S\ncong \mathbb{S}^2$. Furthermore, suppose that $\tilde{M} \...
6 votes
0 answers
218 views

Classifying nested 3-manifolds with fundamental group property

Let $M_1\subseteq M_2\subseteq\mathbb R^3$ be closed connected subsets with smooth boundary. Suppose that every closed loop in $M_1$ is freely homotopic inside $M_2$ to a closed loop inside $M_2\...
7 votes
1 answer
330 views

Are there non-homeomorphic 3-manifolds with the same Turaev-Viro-Barrett-Westbury invariants?

The Turaev-Viro-Barrett-Westbury invariant of a closed oriented topological $3$-manifold $M$ for a spherical fusion category $\mathcal{C}$ is a number denoted $|M|_{\mathcal{C}}$ computed from (but ...
4 votes
0 answers
114 views

Surgery diagrams of 3-dim abstract open books

Starting with an abstract open book $(\Sigma,\phi)$, I would like to understand some of the manifolds that I could obtain. Given a surface $\Sigma$ and monodromy $\phi$, it is not hard to find a Kirby ...
7 votes
1 answer
216 views

Balanced presentation of the fundamental group of a Seifert fiber space

Is there any readily available reference for a balanced presentation of the fundamental group in terms of the classifying invariants of an arbitrary Seifert fibered space? I can't find it, and the ...
5 votes
0 answers
76 views

Transverse open book decompositions supporting the same contact structure

An open book decomposition on an oriented 3-manifold $M$ is a fibered oriented link $B\subset M$, bounding a foliation by Seifert surfaces $\Sigma_t \subset M$, $t\in S^1$, $\partial \Sigma_t = B$. A ...
3 votes
1 answer
384 views

Zagier's "From 3-manifold invariants to number theory"?

Zagier lectures on "From 3-manifold invariants to number theory" - do you know about texts of that or on the discussed web of ideas? ([https://www.mpim-bonn.mpg.de/de/node/10791])
4 votes
0 answers
183 views

3-manifold proof of Grushko's theorem

Grushko's theorem says that given an epimorphism $\phi: F \to G_1 * G_2$ where $F$ is a finitely-generated free group, there exists. subgroups $F_1$ and $F_2$ of $F$ so that $F = F_1 * F_2$ and $\phi(...
1 vote
0 answers
197 views

Circle-valued Morse function and minimal genus

I think the following two statements are true, and most likely are in the literature. If so, could someone point me to some references? If not, counterexamples? Let $Y$ be a closed oriented connected ...
5 votes
1 answer
333 views

Thurston universe gates in knots: which invariant is it?

Today I discovered this nice video of a lecture by Thurston: https://youtu.be/daplYX6Oshc in which he explains how a knot can be turned into a "fabric for universes". For example, the unknot ...
3 votes
0 answers
56 views

What's the Milnor's link group for the trivial knot in a lens space?

For a link $L$ in a 3-manifold $Y$, Milnor's paper "Link Groups" https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF01393902.pdf defined the link group as some quotient of $\pi_1(Y-L)$. If $L$ ...
1 vote
1 answer
74 views

Surface in a product domain

Let $M$ be a connected closed surface. Suppose $N$ is a connected closed surface embedded in the interior of $M \times [0,1]$ such that $N$ separates $M \times \{0\}$ and $M \times \{1\}$. Can we ...
7 votes
1 answer
341 views

3-dimensional h-cobordisms

Let $W$ be a $3$-dimensional $h$-cobordism of closed surfaces $M_0$ and $M_1$. Can we prove that $W$ is trivial? That is, $W$ is homeomorphic to $M_0 \times [0,1]$.
0 votes
2 answers
102 views

Tightness/Overtwistedness of genus one open book decomposition

Suppose we have an open book decomposition $(P,\phi)$ of a 3-manifold $Y$, where $P$ is a punctured torus and $\phi$ is the monodromy. We know $\phi$ can be represented by a matrix in $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})...
1 vote
0 answers
118 views

Open cone homeomorphic to the Euclidean space

Let $X$ be a topological space and the open cone $C(X)$ over $X$ is defined to be $X \times [0,1)$ with $X \times \{0\}$ identified. Suppose $C(X)$ is homeomorphic to $\mathbb R^4$, can we prove that $...
4 votes
1 answer
399 views

Reference sought for Seifert fiber spaces

I seek a reference for what is surely a well known basic result about Seifert fibered 3-manifolds. Namely they are all obtained by Dehn-surgery along a regular Seifert fiber (and the surgery slope is ...
1 vote
0 answers
79 views

Do different decompositions of Dehn twists induce the same cobordisms between mapping tori?

Suppose $Y=T^2\times I/f$ is a mapping torus, where $f$ is a diffeomorphism of $T^2$. Suppose $c$ is a curve on $T^2\times \{1\}$ with surface framing and suppose $D_c$ is the positive Dehn twist ...
2 votes
0 answers
131 views

Möbius cross energy in $S^3$?

Let $\gamma_i$, $i=1,2$ be two loops in $\mathbb R^3$. The Möbius cross energy of the pair is defined by $$ E(\gamma_1, \gamma_2)=\iint_{S^1\times S^1}\frac{|\gamma'_1(u)|\cdot|\gamma'_2(v)|}{|\...
7 votes
1 answer
353 views

Virtually large groups of small rank (related to 3-manifolds)

Edited 25.05.21: the assumptions of the question were incorrect, but as the discussion may be helpful for future MOnauts, I'll strike my mistakes and add clearly marked explanations afterwards. I am ...
10 votes
2 answers
438 views

Presentations of mapping class groups in dimension $3$

For any closed oriented surface $M$, its mapping class group $MCG(M)$ can be generated by Dehn twists along certain curves on $M$. A presentation for the group $MCG(M)$ was found in [1] and then ...
4 votes
0 answers
211 views

Mapping class group of a twisted I-bundle over $RP^2$

$\DeclareMathOperator\Mod{Mod}\DeclareMathOperator\Homeo{Homeo}$Let $\Mod(M)=\pi_0(\Homeo(M))$ be the mapping class group of a manifold, possibly with boundary (I'm including the orientation reversing ...
4 votes
0 answers
119 views

Is finding boundary-reducing discs for PL 3-manifolds with boundary pattern computationally efficient?

I am working with manifolds with boundary pattern, as defined by Matveev in his book Algorithmic Topology and Classification of 3-Manifolds. A manifold with boundary pattern is a pair $(M, P)$ where $...
5 votes
1 answer
233 views

Functoriality of Thurston's norm

Let $M$ be a manifold of dimension $3$ and let $N$ be an embedded submanifold of $M$ (also of dimension $3$). Then, both second homologies $H_2(M)$ and $H_2(N,\delta N)$ are equipped with a norm (...
15 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to get 3-manifold, Knots from Number Fields

I'm reading a paper On the Torsion Jacquet-Langlands correspondence by Akshay Venkatesh and Frank Calegari. Truthfully speaking I have no idea what Jacquet-Landlands is. I'm just trying to ...
6 votes
1 answer
423 views

stabilization of Legendrian knots

There are two ways to stabilize a Legendrian knot $k$ in standard contact sphere $(S^3,\xi_{st})$ i.e. adding right cusps or left cusps, let's call these two stabilized Legendrian knots $k_R$ and $k_{...
2 votes
0 answers
173 views

The Kirby diagram of a manifold glued along the lens space $L(p,1)$

Suppose $K$ is a knot in $S^3$ with any framing and $m=m_0$ is its meridian with $-1$ framing. Suppose $m_1,\dots,m_{p-1}$ are unknots with framings $-2$, such that $m_{i-1}$ and $m_i$ are linked as a ...
7 votes
4 answers
875 views

Do you know how to construct a compact hyperbolic 3-manifold with three or four totally geodesic boundary components?

Do you know how to construct a compact hyperbolic 3-manifold with three or four totally geodesic boundary components? The only constructions I could find have one boundary component. A reference ...
1 vote
0 answers
272 views

Boundary map in Mayer-Vietoris sequence of cohomology

Suppose $M$ is a 3-manifold with connected boundary. Let $T$ be a tangle in $M$, i.e., $T$ is a embedded connected 1-submanifold whose boundary is on $\partial M$ ($T$ is not closed). Moreover, ...
7 votes
1 answer
337 views

Decidability of knot equivalence in general 3-manifolds? Surface equivalence?

Given a closed orientable 3-manifold $M^3$ and two knots $K_1$ and $K_2$ in $M$, is there an algorithm to decide if $K_1$ and $K_2$ are isotopic? Is there an algorithm to decide if there is a ...
0 votes
0 answers
361 views

References on Hyperbolic Geometry and Teichmuller Theory

I am asking a soft question here. I am learning hyperbolic geometry on my own. Recently, I have completed the book "Fuchsian Groups" by Svetlana Katok. Also, I have background in Lee's three ...
2 votes
2 answers
295 views

References on Riemann surfaces

I have asked the question in MSE, but did not get an answer. I am asking a soft question here. I am interested in learning about Hyperbolic Geometry. I have read the book named "Fuchsian Groups&...
8 votes
1 answer
339 views

Outer automorphism group of Brieskorn homology sphere?

In this post, it is discussed how a Brieskorn homology sphere $\Sigma(a_1,a_2,a_3)$ with $\displaystyle \frac{1}{a_1}+ \frac{1}{a_2}+ \frac{1}{a_3} < 1$ is an aspherical manifold with a ...
12 votes
1 answer
893 views

Wanted: a nontrivial weakly inadmissible Heegaard diagram

This is a question asked by a student in my lecture. After drawing pictures for awhile, I thought it was a good one. I seek a nontrivial example of a pointed Heegaard diagram $(\Sigma,\mathbf{\alpha},\...
15 votes
3 answers
1k views

Vector field on 3-sphere

Let $V$ be a vector field on $S^3$ such that its singularity points, namely the points at which the vector field vanishes, are only sinks or sources (i.e. the field is converging or diverging). Is ...
2 votes
1 answer
101 views

Weakly relatively hyperbolicity and asymptotic cone

Drutu, Sapir, Osin showed that a finitely generated group $G$ is strongly hyperbolic relative to a finite collection $\mathcal{H}$ of subgroups if and only if any asymptotic cone is tree-graded with ...
10 votes
1 answer
267 views

Where was it first shown that every homotopy self-equivalence of $S^1\times S^2$ is homotopic to a homeomorphism?

The claim in the title is proved on pp.19-20 of Topological rigidity for non-aspherical manifolds by M. Kreck and W. Lueck. Is there an earlier (classical) reference?
-2 votes
1 answer
218 views

Existence of a geometric structure on a solid torus

I suppose the solid torus in $\mathbb{R}^3$ is not a geometric manifold. Since I am not an expert in this area, I would like to ask whether there is some easy way to see this.
6 votes
1 answer
525 views

What is known about a 3-manifold $M$ when its fundamental group is linear?

Suppose we have a 3-manifold $M$ and its respective fundamental group $\pi_1(M)$. An important question about its fundamental group is to ask if it is linear, i.e. they are isomorphic to a subgroup of ...
8 votes
2 answers
438 views

Quantitative word problem for 3-manifold groups

The word problem for 3-manifold groups is solvable: given a based loop $\gamma$ in $M^3$ there is an algorithm to decide whether $\gamma$ bounds a disk. What kinds of quantitative results are known ...
8 votes
2 answers
508 views

Why does not a closed 3-manifold modelled on SL(2,R) admit a metric of nonpositive curvature?

I was reading the paper `actions of discrete groups on nonpositively curved spaces' written by Kapovich and Leeb. In this paper, they proved that generic mapping class groups are not Hadamard groups, ...
0 votes
1 answer
240 views

Invariant knot for finite group actions on $S^3$

Inspired by the Smith conjecture, is there a finite group action on $S^3$ (by smooth or analytic diffeomorphisms) which possesses an invariant knotted circle?
6 votes
0 answers
224 views

Is a compact aspherical 3-manifold irreducible

Let $M^3$ be a compact $3$-manifold (possibly with boundary). Suppose $M$ is aspherical, can we show that $M$ must be irreducible? Here, irreducible means any embedded sphere in $M$ bounds a $3$-ball.
6 votes
2 answers
755 views

Higher homotopy groups of irreducible 3-manifolds

A 3-manifold $M$ is irreducible if every embedded 2-sphere bounds a 3-ball. Thanks to Papakyriakopoulos's sphere theorem, irreducibility is the same as having $\pi_2(M)=0$. Does irreduciblity imply ...
5 votes
2 answers
843 views

3-manifold with fundamental group $\mathbb Z$

Let $M$ be a compact $3$-manifold with nonempty boundary. If $\pi_1(M)=\mathbb Z$, can we prove that $M$ is homeomorphic to $S^1 \times D^2$?
4 votes
1 answer
193 views

Seifert fiber space with homotopically trivial generic fiber

Let $X$ be a Seifert fiber space, that is, a 3-manifold which is a circle bundle over a 2-orbifold. Suppose all generic fiber of $X$ is homotopically trivial, can we prove that the universal cover of $...
3 votes
1 answer
288 views

Circle bundle with homotopically trivial fiber in the total space

Consider a smooth circle fiber bundle $$ S^1 \to E\to B $$ where $E$ is a smooth 3-manifold and $B$ is a smooth surface. Assuming any $S^1$ fiber in $E$ is homotopically trivial, can we prove that $E$ ...
5 votes
3 answers
497 views

Triangulations of 3-manifolds in Regina and SnapPy

I have been doing some statistical studies on small 3-manifolds, and I note that one can produce larg-ish censuses of triangulations in Regina. Now, the Regina documentation tells us how to convert a ...
5 votes
2 answers
423 views

Regular or h-regular CW-complex structure for the Poincaré homology sphere

I am looking for a regular (the characteristic maps of the cells are homeomorphisms) or h-regular (the characteristic maps of the cells are homotopy equivalences) CW-complex structure for the Poincaré ...
5 votes
1 answer
272 views

Smoothening pseudo-Anosov flows

A topological Anosov flow on a closed 3-manifold can be replaced by a smooth Anosov flow using an argument of Fried: use Markov partitions to find a surface of section, put in other terms, one can ...

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