Sphere paths in outer space (Q1938754)

The outer space of a free group is a sort of classifying space for the group of outer automorphisms. The original description of Culler and Vogtmann is in terms of marked metric graphs. An alternative description of Hatcher is via spheres systems in the double of a handlebody. On the outer space of a free group there are various way to measure ``distances''. First, there is the natural Lipschitz metric on the set of marked metric graphs, analogous to Thurston's metric on Teichmüller space. In the setting of spheres systems we have the notion of intersection number, described in terms of generic intersections between the spheres. Also, there is the Guirardel's intersection number defined in terms of actions on trees. The paper studies relations between these three quantities. In particular, it is shown that in the thick part of outer space, the Lipschitz metric is quasi-isometric to the log of the sphere-intersection number. The paper also provides an accurate study of the so-called combing paths. These are paths in the complex of the spheres systems defined via local surgeries. The intersection number between two endpoints of a combing path staying in the thick part of outer space is estimated. The approach to outer space via sphere systems and combing paths reveals to be very powerful, in particular for questions related to the hyperbolicity of some complexes like the free splitting complex.