Orderable 3-manifold groups. (Q1774117)

A group \(G\) is called \textit{left-orderable} (LO) if its elements can be given a total ordering \(<\) such that \(g<h\) implies \(fg<fh\) for \(f,g,h\in G\). \(G\) is \textit{bi-orderable} (O) if it is simultaneously left and right invariant. The authors investigate the orderability of the fundamental groups of compact, connected 3-manifolds. One of their main results is the following: Theorem 1.1: Let \(M\) be a compact, connected and \(P^2\)-irreducible manifold. (1) A necessary and sufficient condition that \(\pi_1(M)\) be LO is that either \(\pi_1(M)\) is trivial or there exists a non-trivial homomorphism from \(\pi_1(M)\) to a LO-group. (2) If \(\pi_1(M)\) is not virtually LO, then \(M\) is closed, orientable and there is no \(\mathbb Z\oplus\mathbb Z\) subgroup in \(\pi_1(M)\). This result implies for example that knot-groups are LO. The authors also give complete necessary and sufficient conditions for the fundamental group of a Seifert fibred space or a Sol manifold to be LO or O. Theorem 1.8: For each of the eight 3-dimensional geometries, there exist closed, connected, orientable 3-manifolds with the given geometric structure whose fundamental groups are LO. There are also such manifolds with the eight geometric structures whose groups are not LO.