Fixed points and graph images for minimal maps on the once punctured torus (Q719533): Difference between revisions

Denote by \(X\) the once punctured torus and fix two embedded curves \(a\) and \(b\) meeting in exactly one point such that the inclusion of \(a\cup b\) into \(X\) is a homotopy equivalence. Identify homotopy classes of self-maps of \(X\) (up to conjugacy) with endomorphisms of \(\pi_1(X)\). The author proves the following theorems: Let \(W\) be a cyclically reduced word in the free group generated by \(a\) and \(b\). Suppose in addition that \(W\) is a primitive word that cannot be represented by a simple closed curve in \(X\). Let \(i:G\to X\) be a graph embedding which is a homotopy equivalence and let \(f:X\to X\) be a map determined by \(a\mapsto1\) and \(b\mapsto W\). Then \(r\circ f\circ i\) has an essential fixed point where \(r:X\to G\) is any strong deformation retraction. In particular, the word \(W=ab^{-1}a^{-1}bb\) is not represented by a simple closed curve and a map represented by \(W\) must have a fixed point free representative.