Complex Kleinian groups (Q5891598): Difference between revisions

A classical Kleinian group is a discrete subgroup of \(\text{PSL}(2, \mathbb{C})\). Since the orientation preserving conformal maps of the Riemann sphere \(S^2\) are exactly the elements of \(\text{PSL}(2,\mathbb{C})\), a classical Kleinian group is a discrete group of conformal automorphisms of \(S^2\) (having a nonempty region of discontinuity), and since \(S^2\) is biholomorphic to the complex projective line \(\mathbb{P}^1_{\mathbb{C}}\), a classical Kleinian group also may be considered as a group of holomorphic automorphisms of \(\mathbb{P}^1_{\mathbb{C}}\). Classical Kleinian groups have played and still play a fundamental role in many areas of mathematics, especially in the theory of automorphic forms, low-dimensional hyperbolic geometry and topology and low-dimensional holomorphic dynamics. The main focus of this monograph is the extension of these concepts to higher dimensions. If we consider the described connections in the low-dimensional case then there are two possible extensions. First, we may extend via the conformal automorphisms of the \(n\)-sphere \(S^n\) and, second, we may extend via the holomorphic automorphisms of the complex projective space \(\mathbb{P}^{n-1}_{\mathbb{C}}\). There are subtle differences between the two possible extensions because in higher dimensions a conformal map is not necessarily holomorphic and a holomorphic map is not necessarily conformal. There is quite an extensive knowledge in the first case, the theory of isometries of real hyperbolic spaces; however, not much is known in the second case, the theory of holomorphic automorphisms of \(\mathbb{P}^n_{\mathbb{C}}\) or, more concrete, the theory of discrete subgroups of \(\text{PSL}(n+1,\mathbb{C})\). The latter is the main subject of this monograph, the theory of complex Kleinian groups, that is, the theory of discrete groups of automorphisms of \(\mathbb{P}^n_{\mathbb{C}}\) having nonempty regions on which they act properly discontinuously. Building up on the low-dimensional situation, which they describe step by step very carefully in detail, the authors develop the concepts for higher dimensions in an impressing manner. This is done for each definition, property and result, exceptionally good and successful for the several types of limit sets. We have here a wonderful monograph on complex Kleinian groups which is of great interest for researchers and graduate students in the area of complex Kleinian groups and hyperbolic geometry. Each individual chapter is a unit by itself. To understand details from the later chapters it is not necessary to read all earlier chapters in detail. The monograph is very well written and structured. In summary, I strongly recommend it.