An Alexander method for infinite-type surfaces (Q2169896)

The classical Alexander method says that two homeomorphisms of a finite-type surface \(S\) are isotopic to each other if one can construct a collection of curves with certain properties, called an Alexander system, such that the two homeomorphisms act trivially on the isotopy classes of the Alexander system. This method turns out to be quite useful in understanding mapping class groups of finite-type surfaces. For example, one can deduce the solvability of the word problem for such mapping class groups via the classical Alexander method [\textit{B. Farb} and \textit{D. Margalit}, A primer on mapping class groups. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press (2011; Zbl 1245.57002)]. One version of the Alexander method for infinite-type surfaces has been obtained, for instance, by \textit{J. H. Hernández} et al. [Mich. Math. J. 68, No. 4, 743--753 (2019; Zbl 1481.57038)]. In the paper under review, the author proposes another version for infinite-type surfaces. The novelty of the paper under review is that, unlike the previous extended version which only deals with homeomorphisms fixing each isotopy classes in the Alexander system, it also deals with homeomorphisms that permute the isotopy classes of curves. This gives somehow a more direct generalization of the classical Alexander method given in [\textit{B. Farb} and \textit{D. Margalit}, loc. cit.]. The author also includes three applications and finally points out why the local finiteness condition is essential in her definition of Alexander systems.