Automorphisms of the complex of curves (Q1818705)

Let \(\Sigma= \Sigma_{g,n}\) be a compact orientable surface of genus \(g\) with \(n\) components and \({\mathcal S}(\Sigma)\) be the set of isotopy classes of essential unoriented non-boundary parallel simple loops in \(\Sigma\); two classes are disjoint if they are distinct and have disjoint representatives. The complex of curves \({\mathcal C}(\Sigma)\) is generated by vertices of \({\mathcal S} (\Sigma)\) and simplexes \(\langle\alpha_1, \dots, \alpha_k \rangle\), where \(\alpha_i\) is disjoint from \(\alpha_j\) for \(i\neq j\). The following theorem is proved. Theorem. (a) If the dimension \(3g+n-4\) of the curve complex \({\mathcal C}(\Sigma_{g,n})\) is at least one and \((g,n)\neq(1,2)\), then any automorphism of \({\mathcal C}(\Sigma_{g,n})\) is induced by a self-homeomorphism of the surface. (b) Any automorphism of \({\mathcal C}(\Sigma_{1,2})\) preserving the set of vertices by separating loops is induced by a self-homeomorphism of the surface. (c) There is an automorphism of \({\mathcal C}(\Sigma_{1,2})\) which is not induced by any homeomorphism.