Canonical polygons for finitely generated Fuchsian groups (Q2523620): Difference between revisions

From the author's introduction: Finitely generated Fuchsian groups \(G\) are considered. For such groups Fricke defined a class of fundamental polygons which he called canonical. These polygons are such that they are strictly convex and have the smallest possible number of sides. A canonical polygon \(P\) in Fricke's sense depends on a choice of a certain system of generators \(S\) for \(G\). Fricke proved that for a given \(G\) and \(S\) canonical polygons always exist. These polygons, however, are not uniquely determined, there are infinitely many \(P\) for a given \(G\) and \(S\). In this paper the author constructs a uniquely determined fundamental polygon \(P\) which satisfies all of Fricke's conditions for every given \(G\) of positive genus and for every given \(S\). A uniquely determined fundamental polygon \(P\) for every given \(G\) of genus zero, and \(S\) is also defined. The proof involves elementary explicit constructions, and continuity arguments which use quasiconformal mappings, as developed by Ahlfors and Bers.