On representations of \(\operatorname{Gal}(\overline{\mathbb{Q}} / \mathbb{Q})\), \(\widehat{GT}\) and \(\operatorname{Aut}(\hat{F}_2)\) (Q2153305)

Let \(G_\mathbb{Q} = \mathrm{Gal}(\bar{\mathbb{Q}}/\mathbb{Q})\) be the absolute Galois group of the field \(\mathbb{Q}\) of rational numbers and let \(A = \mathrm{Aut}(\hat{F}_2)\) be the automorphism group of the free profinite group \(\hat{F}_2\) on two generators. \textit{G. V. Belyi} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 341, 147--156 (1983; Zbl 0515.12008)] showed that there is a canonical embedding \(\iota\) of \(G_\mathbb{Q}\) into \(A\). \textit{V. G. Drinfel'd} [Algebra Anal. 2, No. 4, 149--181 (1990; Zbl 0718.16034)] defined the so-called Grothendieck-Teichmüller group whose profinite version \(\widehat{GT}\) is a certain subgroup of \(A\) that contains the image of \(G_\mathbb{Q}\) under \(\iota\). Thus, \(\iota(G_\mathbb{Q})\le \widehat{GT}\le A\), and much effort has been dedicated to understanding the connection between \(G_\mathbb{Q}\) and \(\widehat{GT}\). It is known that every homomorphism from \(G_\mathbb{Q}\) to an abelian group can be extended to \(\widehat{GT}\) but no similar result is known for non-abelian quotients. \textit{P. Lochak} and \textit{L. Schneps} [Proc. Symp. Pure Math. 74, 165--186 (2006; Zbl 1222.14046)] wrote that ``no irreducible non-abelian representation of any version of (the Grothendieck-Teichmüller group) has been constructed to date.'' The goal of this paper is to address this challenge. The authors do this virtually, namely by showing that a rich class of arithmetically defined representations of \(G_\mathbb{Q}\) can be extended to finite index subgroups of \(\widehat{GT}\). This is achieved, in fact, by extending these representations all the way to finite index subgroups of \(A = \mathrm{Aut}(\hat{F}_2)\). The authors do this by developing a profinite version of the work of \textit{F. Grunewald} and \textit{A. Lubotzky} [Geom. Funct. Anal. 18, No. 5, 1564--1608 (2009; Zbl 1175.20028)] which provided a rich collection of representations for the discrete group \(\mathrm{Aut}(F_d)\).