Mapping class groups, multiple Kodaira fibrations, and CAT(0) spaces (Q2035581)

The article under review investigates the question whether Kodaira fibrations can fiber in more than two ways. Strong constraints on the existence of such fibrations are provided by the following theorem: ``Let \(X\) be a compact complex surface. Suppose that \(X\) admits three distinct Kodaira fibrations \(p_i:X \to \Sigma_i\), \(1 \leq i \leq 3\). Then the image of the induced morphism \[ \pi_1(X) \to \pi_1(\Sigma_1) \times \pi_1(\Sigma_2) \times \pi_1(\Sigma_3) \] is of finite index in \(\pi_1(\Sigma_1) \times \pi_1(\Sigma_2) \times \pi_1(\Sigma_3)\).'' A necessary condition for a surface-by-surface group to be CAT(\(0\)) is provided: ``Let \(G\) be a surface-by-surface group with infinite monodromy. We fix a normal subgroup \(R \lhd G\) isomorphic to a surface group with \(G/R\) isomorphic to a surface group. If the group \(G\) is CAT(\(0\)) then the monodromy \(G/R\to \mathrm{Out}(R)\) is injective.''