All Questions
Tagged with lie-groups gt.geometric-topology
101 questions
35
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Second Betti number of lattices in $\mathrm{SL}_3(\mathbf{R})$
We fix $G=\mathrm{SL}_3(\mathbf{R})$.
Let $\Gamma$ be a torsion-free cocompact lattice in $G$. Is $b_2(\Gamma)=0$?
Here the second Betti number $b_2(\Gamma)$ is both the dimension of the ...
- 63.9k
29
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Simple discrete subgroups of Lie groups
Upon Ian Agol's suggestion, I separated this question from the one on non-residual finiteness in
Non-residually finite matrix groups
Question. Are there infinitely generated simple discrete ...
- 31.2k
24
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is it possible to realize the Moebius strip as a linear group orbit?
On MSE this got 5 upvotes but no answers not even a comment so I figured it was time to cross-post it on MO:
Is the Moebius strip a linear group orbit? In other words:
Does there exists a Lie group $ ...
- 4,081
17
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Examples of the Thurston geometries with transitive Lie group action
Here are some examples of compact homogeneous 3 manifolds for different Thurston geometries:
(1) Spherical: $\mathbb{S}^3 \cong \mathrm{SU}_2$ modulo any finite subgroup
(2) Euclidean: 3 torus $\...
- 4,081
16
votes
2
answers
756
views
Can a sphere glued into a soft 3d-mattress rotate continuously? (manifolds, SU(2) and the belt trick)
The question is triggered by the wonderful animations by Jason Hise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLw3BaliDUQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ul_-ABYaYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...
14
votes
5
answers
1k
views
History of the notion of $(G,X)$-structure
I'm currently searching for sources and historical basis on the notion of $(G,X)$-structure as it appears in Thurston's work.
So far, it appears that he was the first to set it. Many mathematicans ...
- 403
12
votes
3
answers
849
views
$A_{\infty}$-structure on closed manifold
Is there an exmaple of a closed smooth connected manifold $M$ having a structure of $A_{\infty}$-space (with unit) but $M$ is not homeomorphic to a compact connectd Lie group as space ?
Edit: First, ...
- 1,974
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
When does a group act effectively and holomorphically on some Riemann surface?
Given a Riemann surface $X$, we have some fairly standard methods for identifying which groups $G$ admit an effective and holomorphic action $G \times X \to X$. For instance, some fairly elementary ...
- 609
11
votes
2
answers
755
views
Quasi-isometric rigidity of Nil
Let $Nil$ be the unique simply connected non-abelian three-dimensional nilpotent Lie group, i.e. the group of upper triangular matrices with all the eigenvalues equal to 1 (this group is also known as ...
- 3,749
11
votes
1
answer
562
views
orbit space of a topological manifold
Given a compact Lie group G acting freely on a topological manifold M, is it true that the orbit space M/G is also a topological manifold? If so, why?
- 113
11
votes
1
answer
258
views
Algorithmic Borel finiteness for hyperbolic manifolds
It is a theorem of Borel that there is a finite number of arithmetic hyperbolic manifolds of volume bounded above by $V.$ Is there any algorithm (or hope of an algorithm) to actually construct all of ...
- 96.4k
10
votes
3
answers
625
views
Parameterizing rotations of a cube
For $g\in\mathrm{SO}(3),S\subseteq \mathbb{R}^3,$ define $g\cdot S:=\{g\cdot p : p\in S\}.$ In words, if $g$ is a rotation of $\mathbb{R}^3$, $g\cdot S$ is the set of elements of $S$ rotated by $g$. ...
- 705
10
votes
2
answers
538
views
Is there an analogue of Mostow-Palais equivariant embedding theorem for noncompact groups
Let $M$ be a (Hausdorff) smooth compact manifold and $G$ a Lie group acting smoothly on $M$. If $G$ is compact then, by Mostow-Palais theorem, there exists an equivariant smooth embedding $M\to {\...
- 31.2k
9
votes
2
answers
886
views
Hyperbolic $3$-manifold groups that embed in compact Lie groups
Is there a closed hyperbolic $3$-manifold whose fundamental group is isomorphic to a subgroup of some compact Lie group?
It is known that every surface group can be embedded into any semisimple ...
- 29.1k
9
votes
1
answer
444
views
Compact flat orientable 3 manifolds and mapping tori
There are 10 compact flat 3 manifolds up to diffeomorphism, 6 orientable and 4 non orientable. I am looking to better understand how to construct the orientable ones.
The six orientable ones are ...
- 4,081
9
votes
0
answers
230
views
Fixed-points of a topological circle action
Suppose the circle group $G = S^1$ acts on $X$.
If $X$ is a closed smooth manifold (and the action is smooth), then we know the fixed-points $X^G$ are a disjoint union of smooth submanifolds of $X$. ...
- 353
8
votes
2
answers
992
views
Finite-dimensional subgroups of circle diffeomorphism group
Is there a sequence of connected finite-dimensional subgroups Gi of the circle diffeomorphism group G with the following properities:
(a) Gi is contained in Gj for i < j
(b) The union of Gi is ...
- 1,368
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Finite-dimensional subgroups of diffeomorphism groups
This question is a generalization of my previous question about the circle to arbitrary manifolds.
Is there a smooth manifold M with the following property.
There exists a sequence of connected ...
- 1,368
8
votes
2
answers
362
views
Is every contractible homogeneous space of a connected Lie group homeomorphic to a Euclidean space?
Problem. Let $G$ be a connected Lie group and $H$ is a closed subgroup of $G$ such that the homogeneous space $G/H$ is contractible. Is $G/H$ homeomorphic to a Euclidean space $\mathbb R^n$ for some $...
- 41.8k
8
votes
1
answer
599
views
Exact condition for smooth homogeneous to imply Riemannian homogeneous for compact manifolds
Let $ (M,g) $ be a homogeneous Riemannian manifold. That is, the isometry group $ Iso(M,g) $ acts transitively on $ M $. Let $ \pi_1(M) $ be the fundamental group of $ M $. Then $ \pi_1(M) $ has ...
- 4,081
8
votes
0
answers
284
views
Fundamental domains for proper Lie group actions on smooth manifolds
The setting: $M$ an arbitrary smooth manifold, $G$ a Lie group acting effectively and properly on $M$ by diffeomorphisms.
Motivation: when trying to figure out the homeomorphism type of the orbit ...
- 183
7
votes
1
answer
490
views
Classification of fibrations $\Bbb S^k\longrightarrow\Bbb S^d\longrightarrow B$
Does there exist a complete classification of all fiber bundles $\Bbb S^k\longrightarrow\Bbb S^d\longrightarrow B$, that is, fibrations of $\smash{\Bbb S^d}$ with each fiber homeomorphic to $\smash{\...
- 13.6k
7
votes
1
answer
535
views
Isomorphism from $\mathbb{Z}$ to third homotopy group of compact simple Lie group
Let $G$ be a compact connected simple Lie group. It is known that its third homotopy group $\pi_3(G)$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{Z}$. More precisely, there is a Lie group homomorphism
$$\rho:SU(2)\...
- 71
7
votes
1
answer
546
views
Can a hyperbolic manifold be a product?
I was interested in whether a manifold which admits a metric of constant sectional curvature can be homotopy equivalent to a product of non-contractible manifolds. Of course, there are three cases: ...
- 19.3k
7
votes
1
answer
177
views
Ergodicity of action of finite index subgroups in the boundary
Let $\Gamma < \operatorname{PSL}_2(\mathbb{R})= \text{Isom}^+(\mathbb{H^2})$ be a discrete subgroup. Suppose $\Gamma$ acts ergodically on the boundary of the hyperbolic plane $\partial{\mathbb{H}^2}...
- 1,101
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
When a free action gives rise to a $G$-principal bundle
When a free action gives rise to a $G$-principal bundle
Let a (topological) group $G$ act freely on a (topological) space $X$. Assume that
$G \backslash X$ is Hausdorff. (equivalently the image of ...
- 2,639
7
votes
2
answers
728
views
Euler class of S^1-orbibundle
Given a topological space $M$ with a locally free $S^1$ action on it, assume the slice representation holds,(this is often the case, e.g. M is a smooth manifold) then this will make $M$ a principal $S^...
- 73
7
votes
1
answer
640
views
Characterisation of Q-rank 1
I'm looking for a reference and/or the original source for the following fact:
An irreducible non-uniform lattice in a semisimple Lie group without compact factor has Q-rank 1 if and only if it does ...
- 10.4k
7
votes
1
answer
355
views
Outer Automorphisms and the Mapping Class Group of Lie Groups
Let $G$ be a connected Lie Group. We will denote the outer automorphism group of $G$ by $Out(G)$. Consider $\pi_0(Diffeo(G))$, the mapping class group of the underlying manifold of $G$, and the map,
$...
7
votes
1
answer
190
views
Rigidity/flexibility of Nil-, Sol-, $\widetilde{\rm SL}_2$- structures on closed 3-manifolds
It is known that closed spherical and hyperbolic 3-manifolds are rigid. I.e., if two such manifolds are diffeomorphic, then they are isometric (moreover, I think, that every diffeomorphism is isotopic ...
- 353
7
votes
0
answers
172
views
Subgroups of $\mathbb{Z}^{n}$ with rotational symmetries
Schmidt (https://projecteuclid.org/euclid.dmj/1077377618) showed that the number of $m$-dimensional subgroups of $\mathbb{Z}^{n}$ of covolume $\leq X$
is
$$c_{1}\left(m,n\right)X^{n}+O\left(X^{n-\...
- 273
7
votes
0
answers
516
views
Quotient of 3-sphere by binary octahedral group?
Consider the Lie group $Spin(3)$, which can be thought of geometrically as the 3-sphere (e.g., it can be represented by the collection of unit quaternions). The quotient $Spin(3)/\pm I$ yields the ...
- 3,059
6
votes
1
answer
395
views
Explicit fundamental domain for the action of $\operatorname{O}(n,1)(\mathbb{Z})$ on $\operatorname{O}(n,1)(\mathbb{R})$
Minkowski computed explicit fundamental domains for the action of $\operatorname{SL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$ on $\operatorname{SL}_n(\mathbb{R})/\operatorname{SO}_n(\mathbb{R})$ for each $n \leq 6$. In the ...
6
votes
1
answer
466
views
Hyperbolic manifolds with infinite cyclic fundamental group
It is a well known fact that there is a correspondence between complete hyperbolic $n$-manifolds up to isometry and discrete subgroups of isometries of the hyperbolic space $\mathbb{H}^n$ that act ...
- 2,533
6
votes
1
answer
644
views
Torus bundles and compact solvmanifolds
I asked this question on MSE 9 days ago and it got a very helpful comment from Eric Towers providing the Palais Stewart reference, but no answers. So I'm crossposting it here.
Let
$$
T^n \to M \to T^m ...
- 4,081
6
votes
2
answers
320
views
Almost free actions on simply-connected spaces
Let $G$ be a simply-connected compact topological group (you can think of $SU(n)$ if you like it more concrete), and let $X$ be a finite-dimensional simply-connected $G$-CW-complex. If we know that ...
- 11.9k
6
votes
2
answers
342
views
Positive genus Fuchsian groups
Let $G$ be a lattice in $SL(2,\mathbb{R})$. Is it always true that there exists a finite index subgroup $F$ of $G$ such that the quotient surface $\mathbb{H}/F$ has positive genus? Is the statement ...
- 63
6
votes
0
answers
345
views
Why can't a Lie group act transitively on a finite volume hyperbolic manifold?
In the comments on the MathSE question "Is Seifert-Weber space homogeneous for a Lie group?",
it is claimed that if $ M $ is a manifold which admits a finite volume hyperbolic metric (...
- 4,081
6
votes
0
answers
341
views
When exponential map is 1-1 from vector fields to diffeomorphisms
Let $M$ be a connected and complete Riemannian manifold of positive dimension, $k$ be a positive integer, and let $\mathfrak{X}^k_c$ be the set of class $C^k$-vector fields on $M$ of compact support. ...
- 5,405
6
votes
0
answers
196
views
Logarithm on formal power series continuous?
Denote $V:=\mathbb{R}^d$ and consider the Cartesian product $V^\infty:=\prod_{k=0}^\infty V^{\otimes k}$ together with its canonical projections $\pi_k : V^\infty\rightarrow V^{\otimes k}, (v_0, v_1, \...
- 463
6
votes
0
answers
634
views
Quotient space, a fundamental group, and higher homotopy groups 2
Previously, I ask for comments/suggestions on setting up the calculation in Quotient space, homogeneous space, and higher homotopy groups. There, however, I was looking for whatever methods and tools ...
- 10.5k
5
votes
1
answer
356
views
Lattice generated by parabolics
Let $G$ be a semisimple Lie group of split-rank one and let $\Gamma$ be a non-cocompact lattice which is torsion-free.
For the group $G=\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb{R})$ it then follows that $\Gamma$ is ...
- 460
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Matrices generating non-discrete subgroups of SL(2,R)
Jorgensen's inequality $\mid \left(Tr\left(A\right)\right)^2-4\mid+\mid Tr\left[A,B\right]-2\mid\ge 1$ gives a necessary condition for two matrices A,B to generate a discrete subgroup of SL(2,R). Are ...
- 10.4k
5
votes
1
answer
332
views
Homotopy classes of maps between special unitary Lie groups
I am sorry to mislead the notations: $SU(n)$ should be replaced by $PSU(n)$. I will reformulate it now.
We consider the special unitary Lie group $SU(n)$. Then its center is $\mathbb{Z}_n$ and we ...
- 268
5
votes
1
answer
372
views
$\pi_{2n-1}(\operatorname{SO}(2n))$ element represents the tangent bundle $TS^{2n}$, not torsion and indivisible for $n>1$?
Question: Is the element $\alpha$ in $\pi_{2n-1}(\operatorname{SO}(2n))$ representing the tangent bundle $TS^{2n}$ of the sphere $S^{2n}$ indivisible and not torsion?
My understanding so far —
An $\...
- 10.5k
5
votes
1
answer
319
views
"Dimension" of discrete subgroups of infinite covolume in Lie groups
Let $G$ be a semisimple Lie group with finite center, $K$ a maximal compact
subgroup, and $d=\dim(G/K)$. Let $\Gamma$ be a non-cocompact discrete subgroup of $G$. [Edit: assume that $\Gamma$ is ...
- 63.9k
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Which groups admit a unique Lie group structure?
This question is a follow-up on the answer given here Can a Lie group as an abstract group be given more than one topology making it a Lie group?
It is motivated by the following observations:
If $m,...
- 23.5k
5
votes
0
answers
132
views
geometry and connected sum of aspherical closed manifolds
Let $ G $ be a Lie group with finitely many connected components, $ K $ a maximal compact subgroup, and $ \Gamma $ a torsion free cocompact lattice. Then
$$
\Gamma \backslash G/K
$$
is an aspherical ...
- 4,081
5
votes
0
answers
150
views
Lattices of minimal covolume in $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{R}) \times \operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{R})$
What are the (uniform/non-uniform) irreducible lattices of minimal (or even small) covolume in $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{R}) \times \operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{R})$?
Context: Such a lattice will ...
- 2,050
5
votes
0
answers
140
views
Intermediate subgroups between $H(\mathbb{Z})$ and $H(\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}])$, for anisotropic form of $SL_2$
Let $H$ be an anisotropic $\mathbb{Q}$-form of $SL_2$, with $H(\mathbb{R}) = SL_2(\mathbb{R})$.
Are there any results or conjecture regarding the existence, or non-existence of intermediate subgroups ...
- 474