Generalized primitive elements of a free group (Q1273224)

Let \(F_n\) be a free group with the set \(\{x_1,\ldots,x_n\}\), \(n\geq 2\), of free generators. An element \(u\in F\) is primitive if there exists an automorphism \(\phi\) of the group \(F\) such that \(\phi(x_1)=u\). Suppose that \(n=2\) and \(u\in F_2\setminus 1\). Let \(\psi\) be an endomorphism of the group \(F_2\) preserving the orbit \((\Aut F_2)(u)\). Then \(\psi\) is an automorphism of \(F_2\). The proof is based on the study of \(\Delta\)-primitive elements \(u\) of the integral group ring \(\mathbb{Z} F_n\), i.e. elements \(u\) from the augmentation ideal \(\Delta\) of \(\mathbb{Z} F_n\) such that \[ \sum_{i=1}^n \mathbb{Z} F_n\tfrac{\partial u}{\partial x_i}=\Delta, \] where \(\tfrac{\partial u}{\partial x_i}\), \(i=1,\ldots,n\), are Fox derivatives. If \(n=2m\), then any \(\Delta\)-primitive element in \(F_{2m}\) is an automorphic image of \([x_1,x_2]\cdots[x_{2m-1},x_{2m}]\). Let \(M_2\) be a free metabelian group with the set \(\{x_1,x_2\}\) of free generators. Let now \(\Delta\) be the augmentation ideal of the integral group ring \(\mathbb{Z} M_2\). Then any \(\Delta\)-primitive element of \(M_2\) is an automorphic image of the element \([x_1,x_2]\). In particular there are no \(\Delta\)-primitive elements in the free group \(F_n\), if \(n\) is odd.