Three-dimensional Anosov flag manifolds (Q1035306)

The author extends his study [Geom. Topol. 5, 227--266 (2001; Zbl 1032.57037)] on deformations of discrete faithful representations of hyperbolic surface groups into \(PGL(3,{\mathbb R})\) which factorise through the natural inclusion of \(SL(2,{\mathbb R})\) into \(PGL(3,{\mathbb R})\), by proving that the main results of the aforementioned paper remain valid under the weaker assumption that the deformations are \textsl{Anosov flag representations}, according to \textit{F. Labourie}'s definition in [Invent. Math. 165, No.~1, 51--114 (2006; Zbl 1103.32007)]. More precisely the following is shown: Any projective representation induces a natural action on the flag variety (i.e. the variety parametrising pairs (point of the projective plane, line containing the point)). Anosov flag representations admit a well-specified domain of discontinuity in the flag manifold on which the induced action is free and properly discontinuous. The quotient of the discontinuity domain by the action of the surface group via an Anosov flag representation is called a \textsl{flag manifold}. Flag manifolds admit two natural foliations induced by the tautological foliation of the flag variety. Properties of these foliations are also determined in the paper which ends with a list of open questions on the subject.