Homogeneity in the free group. (Q1759768)

The article brings together geometric group theory and model theory. The main result is on (model-theoretic) homogeneity of the free group: if \(F\) is a non-Abelian free group and two tuples of elements of \(F\) satisfy the same first-order properties, then they are conjugate under \(\Aut(F)\). The case of the free group over two generators was solved in earlier work by \textit{A. Nies} [J. Algebra 263, No. 1, 119-125 (2003; Zbl 1068.20027)]. The proof given in the present paper relies on the techniques invented by Sela and is much more general as it applies to a wide class of hyperbolic groups. The authors also characterize geometrically the elements of a finitely generated group which satisfy the same first-order properties as primitive elements of a free group. As a consequence some (``most'') surface groups are proved not to be homogeneous in the above sense.