Parabolic isometries of CAT(0) spaces and CAT(0) dimensions. (Q1766283)

Let \(G\) be a discrete group acting properly by isometries on a CAT(0) space \(X\). The CAT(0)-dimension of \(G\), \(\text{CAT(0)-dim\,}G\), is the minimal (covering) dimension of such an \(X\). When no such \(X\) exists, \(\text{CAT(0)-dim\,}G=\infty\). The geometric dimension of \(G\), \(\text{geom\,dim\,}G\) is the minimal dimension of a \(K(G,1)\) complex. It is always the case that \(\text{geom\,dim\,}G\leq\text{CAT(0)-dim\,}G\) for torsion-free \(G\). In the article under review the authors investigate the problem of finding a torsion-free \(G\) with \(\text{geom\,dim\,}G<\text{CAT(0)-dim\,}G<\infty\). Imposing the additional condition that the action is by semi-simple isometries, \textit{N. Brady} and \textit{J. Crisp} [Geom. Dedicata 94, 185-214 (2002; Zbl 1070.20043)] and \textit{M. R. Bridson} [Math. Res. Lett. 8, No. 4, 557-567 (2001; Zbl 0990.20026)] found CAT(0) groups where the geometric dimension and CAT(0)-dimension differed by \(1\). In this paper the authors study group actions on CAT(0) spaces with a fixed point in the ideal boundary. In certain situations the authors can replace the condition that the action is by semi-simple isometries with the condition that \(X\) is proper. Combining this with the results of Brady-Crisp or Bridson they conclude that there is a finitely generated group \(G\) with geometric dimension \(2\) such that (1) \(G\) does not act properly on any proper CAT(0) space of dimension \(2\) by isometries; and (2) \(G\) acts properly and co-compactly on some proper CAT(0) space of dimension \(3\) by isometries. They also introduce a new class of examples of groups having gaps between geometric and CAT(0)-dimension with the condition that \(X\) be proper. However, these groups do not act properly, co-compactly on a CAT(0) space, i.e., they are not CAT(0) groups.