Higher generation subgroup sets and the \(\Sigma\)-invariants of graph groups (Q1385230)

A group \(G\) has the finiteness property \(F_n\) if there is a classifying \(K(G,1) \)-complex with finite \(n\)-skeleton. These finiteness properties are natural extensions of finite generation and finite presentability to higher dimensions. Considering resolutions instead of topological models, one can also define algebraic finiteness properties \(FP_n\). \textit{M. Bestvina} and \textit{N. Brady} [Invent. Math. 129, No. 3, 445-470 (1997; Zbl 0888.20021)] have only recently shown that for certain subgroups of right angled Artin groups the two notions are different in case \(n\geq 2\). Some years ago, Bieri, Neumann, Strebel and Renz introduced so-called \(\Sigma\)-invariants for a group \(G\), certain subsets of the real vector space \(\Hom (G, \mathbb{R})\), that determine, among other things, the \(F\) and \(FP\) properties of subgroups above the commutator subgroup. The important findings of Bestvina and Brady show that the higher homotopical and homological \(\Sigma\)-invariants are different for certain right-angled Artin groups. The authors extend this result by giving a complete description of these invariants for such groups. This is the first complete computation of the \(\Sigma\)-invariants for a family of groups whose higher invariants are not determined by \(\Sigma^1\). This can be considered a true breakthrough in the theory. The results of this article have been reproven by \textit{Bux} and \textit{Gonzales} [The Bestvina-Brady construction revisited -- geometric computation of \(\Sigma\)-invariants for right-angled Artin groups, to appear in J. London Math. Soc.] by geometric methods, extending and considerably simplifying the arguments in the paper of Bestvina and Brady.