Annular Dehn fillings (Q1589757)

Let \(M\) be a compact connected orientable 3-manifold with a torus boundary component \(T\). If \(r\) is a slope (i.e., the isotopy class of an essential unoriented simple loop) on \(T\), then \(M(r)\) denotes the 3-manifold obtained from \(M\) by \(r\)-Dehn filling, that is, attaching a solid torus \(V\) to \(M\) along \(T\) in such a way that \(r\) bounds a meridian disk in \(V\). Denote by \(\Delta (r_1,r_2)\) the distance, or minimal geometric intersection number, between two slopes \(r_1\) and \(r_2\) on \(T\). Suppose \(M\) is irreducible, \(\partial\)-irreducible and anannular. Under these conditions, the authors prove the following nice result: If \(M\) admits two annular Dehn fillings \(M(r_1)\) and \(M(r_2)\) with \(\Delta=\Delta(r_1,r_2)\geq 4\), then one of the following holds: (1) \(M\) is the exterior in the 3-sphere of the Whitehead link, and \(\Delta= 4\); (2) \(M\) is the exterior in the 3-sphere of the 2-bridge link associated to the rational number \(3/10\), and \(\Delta=4\); (3) \(M\) is the exterior in the 3-sphere of the \((-2,3,8)\) pretzel link, and \(\Delta=5\).