Combinatorics of simple closed curves on the twice punctured torus (Q1806715)

The authors show how to parametrize each simple loop \(\gamma\) on a twice-punctured torus \(\Sigma\) as a homotopy class of a path in a groupoid with two base points. Their parametrization determines, and is determined by, (1) the representation of \(\gamma\) as a weighted train track and (2) as a word in \(\pi_1(\Sigma)\); and their representation casts light on each of (1) and (2). In particular, they show how to recognize those patterns in a word representing \(\gamma\) in the fundamental group of \(\Sigma\) which determine the simplicity of \(\gamma\), they obtain an explicit realization of Thurston's projective measured lamination space for \(\Sigma\); and they obtain a good deal of very explicit information on the Maskit embedding of the Teichmüller space of \(\Sigma\) and associated trace formulas. They expect their methods to have substantial extensions to surfaces of higher genus.