Finite groups of diffeomorphisms are topologically determined by a vector field (Q2185012)

Let \(M^m\) be a \(C^\infty\) manifold with \(m\ge2\) and \(G\) a finite group of diffeomorphisms of \(M\). Then there is a complete \(G\)-invariant vector field \(X\) on \(M\) such that \(G\times\mathbb R\to\mathrm{Aut}_0(X)\) given by \((g,t)\mapsto g\Phi_t\) is a group isomorphism, where \(\Phi\) is the flow and Aut\(_0(X)\) is the group of continuous automorphisms of \(X\), i.e., the group of homeomorphisms of \(M\) mapping integral curves of \(X\) to integral curves of \(X\). It is here proved that if \(M^4\) is a closed, connected topological manifold and \(G\) is a finite group of homeomorphisms of \(M\) acting freely then there is a continuous flow that determines \(G\).