The topology at infinity of Coxeter groups and buildings (Q1864196)

Let \(I\) be a finite index set. A Coxeter matrix on \(I\) is a symmetric \(I\times I\) matrix \(M\) (\(=(m_{ij})\)) with entries in \(\mathbb{N}\cup\{\infty\}\) such that \(m_{ij}=1\) if \(i=j\) and \(m_{ij}\geq 2\) if \(i\neq j\). For each \(i\in I\) introduce a symbol \(s_i\) and let \(S=\{s_i\}_{i\in I}\). The Coxeter group \(W\) associated to a Coxeter matrix \(M\) is the group with generating set \(S\) and defining relations: \((s_is_j)^{m_{ij}}=1\) for all \((i,j)\in I\times I\) where \(m_{ij}\neq\infty\). Given a subset \(J\subset I\), let \(S_J=\{s_j\}_{j\in J}\) and let \((W_J,S_J)\) be the Coxeter system associated to \(M_J\) where \(M_J\) denotes the restriction of \(M\) to \(J\times J\). A subset \(\sigma\subset I\) is spherical if \(W_\sigma\) is finite. Let \(\mathcal S\) denote the poset of all spherical subsets of \(I\) (including the empty set). The subposet \(\mathcal S_{>\emptyset}\) of nonempty spherical subsets of \(I\) is a simplicial complex called the nerve of \((W,S)\) and is denoted by \(L\). In this paper, the authors show that the connectivity at infinity of a finitely generated Coxeter group \(W\) is completely determined by topological properties of its nerve \(L\). For example, \(W\) is simply connected at infinity if and only if \(L\) and the subcomplexes \(L-\sigma\) (where \(\sigma\) ranges over all simplices in \(L\)) are simply connected. The authors also show that this characterization extends to locally finite buildings.