Two-generator discrete subgroups of \(\text{Isom}(\mathbb{H}^2)\) containing orientation-reversing elements (Q1275311)

The authors give a complete list of the 2-generator discrete subgroups of \(\text{Isom}(\mathbb{H}^2)\) containing orientation-reversing elements. As applications, they list all extended triangle groups generated by two elements and all Montesinos knots of tunnel number one. The authors produce as well an algorithm that will recognize a given 2-generator subgroup of \(\text{Isom}(\mathbb{H}^2)\) as discrete when it is discrete, but they have been unable to prove in one subcase that the algorithm terminates (with a negative answer) when the subgroup is not discrete. Earlier work by many authors dealt succesfully with the 2-generator discrete subgroups of \(\text{Isom}(\mathbb{H}^2)\) whose elements are all orientation preserving. The authors of the current paper rely on geometric techniques developed in the orientation-preserving case by \textit{J. P. Matelski} [Isr. J. Math. 42, 309-317 (1982; Zbl 0497.20036)]. The proofs require an extensive case by case analysis based on the geometric nature of the generators (reflections, glide-reflections, elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic).