A remark about actions of lattices on free groups (Q5928492)

Let \(\Gamma\) be an irreducible nonuniform lattice in a semisimple Lie group of rank at least 2. Then \(\Gamma\) contains a solvable subgroup which is not virtually abelian. (This can be proved using the arithmeticity of such a \(\Gamma\).) On the other hand, every solvable subgroup of the outer automorphism group of a finitely generated free group must be virtually abelian. Exploiting this contrast, the authors prove that every group homomorphism of \(\Gamma\) into an outer automorphism group of a finitely generated free group has finite image. The authors conjecture that such a statement also holds for uniform lattices. This would require a different proof, since for a uniform such lattice every solvable subgroup is virtually abelian. The condition ``and no compact factors'' in the formulation of Theorem 1 is neither needed nor used.