On monomorphisms of free groups (Q1893250)

There is a well-known matrix characterization of automorphisms of a free group due to Birman. Here we give a matrix characterization of monomorphisms as follows: an endomorphism of a free group is a monomorphism if and only if the rows of its Jacobian matrix are left independent over the free group ring. We also show that for an arbitrary finite set of elements of a free group, the rank of the subgroup they generate is equal to the left rank (i.e., to the maximal number of left independent rows) of the corresponding Jacobian matrix.