Lifting representations to covering groups (Q1068383)

The primary purpose of this note is to prove that if a discrete subgroup \(\Gamma\) of \(PSL_ 2({\mathbb{C}})\) has no 2-torsion then it lifts to SL\({}_ 2({\mathbb{C}})\); i.e., there is a homomorphism \(\Gamma \to SL_ 2({\mathbb{C}})\) such that the composition with the natural projection \(SL_ 2({\mathbb{C}})\to PSL_ 2({\mathbb{C}})\) is the identity on \(\Gamma\). (Note that the absence of 2-torsion is necessary, since cyclic subgroups of even order do not lift.) This extends a result of \textit{I. Kra} [Differential geometry and complex analysis, Vol. dedic. H. E. Rauch, 181-193 (1985; Zbl 0571.30037)], for which \(\Gamma\) was required to be a function group. Our methods are simple and straightforward, requiring only elementary covering space theory.