On large orientation-reversing finite group-actions on 3-manifolds and equivariant Heegaard decompositions (Q2291640)

Let \(G\) be a finite group of diffeomorphisms of a closed 3-manifold \(M\). In this article, the author considers finite group-actions on \(M\) which leave the two handlebodies of a Heegaard splitting invariant for some genus \(g >1\). We will look at the Heegaard decompositions of \(M\) into two handlebodies such that both handlebodies are invariant under the finite actions of \(G\). Note that if \(M\) is non-orientable, so are the two handlebodies. It is known, for example by \textit{D. McCullough} et al. [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 59, No. 2, 373--416 (1989; Zbl 0638.57017)] or \textit{B. Zimmermann} [Arch. Math. 33, 379--382 (1980; Zbl 0411.57005)], that the maximal possible order of an orientation-preserving finite \(G\)-action on an orientable handlebody of genus \(g>1\) is \(12(g-1)\). If the action is non-orientable, then the maximal possible order is \(24(g-1)\). In this article, the author utilizes \textit{Coxeter tetrahedra} to characterize the strong maximally symmetric actions on 3-manifolds. In this sense, [\textit{W. Thurston}, The geometry and topology of 3-manifols. Lecture Notes. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press (1977); Three-dimensional geometry and topology. Vol. 1. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press (1997; Zbl 0873.57001)] will be good reference sources. A \textit{Coxeter tetrahedron} can be realized as a spherical, Euclidean or hyperbolic tetrahedron in \(\mathbb S^3\), \(\mathbb R^3\) or in \(\mathbb H^3\) respectively. They are denoted by \(\mathcal C(n, m; a, b; c, d)\) where \((n, m)\), \((a, b)\) and \((c, d)\) are the labels of pairs of opposite edges. Further, \(C(n, m; a, b; c, d)\) means the \textit{Coxeter group} generated by the reflections in the faces of \(\mathcal C(n, m; a, b; c, d)\), which is a properly discontinuous group of isometries of one of the three geometries. Our interest in this paper is the Coxeter tetrahedra of type \(\mathcal C(n, m; 2, 2; 3, 3)\) including a rotational symmetry \(\tau\) of order two, which exchanges the opposite edges with labels \(2\) and \(3\), and acts as an inversion on the two edges with labels \(n\) and \(m\). The involution \(\tau\) is realizable by an isometry, hence it defines a group of isometries \(C_\tau(n, m; 2, 2; 3, 3)\) containing an index two normal subgroup \(C(n, m; 2, 2; 3, 3)\). The group \(C_\tau(n, m; 2, 2; 3, 3)\) is called a \textit{twisted Coxeter group}. The two statements below are some main results from this article, and the readers will enjoy additional examples such as a \textit{doubly twisted Coxeter group} generated by \(C(n, m; 2, 2; 3, 3)\). If \(M\) \(=\) \(\mathbb S^3\), then the possible genera of the invariant Heegaard splitting are \(g\) \(=\) \(2\), \(4\) or \(6\). Theorem. A reducible, strongly maximally symmetric 3-manifold \(M\) is obtained by doubling a \(G\)-action of maximal possible order \(24(g-1)\) on an orientable or non-orientable handlebody of genus \(g > 1\) by taking the double along the boundary of both the handlebody and its \(G\)-action. Theorem. An irreducible, strongly maximally symmetric 3-manifold \(M\) is spherical, Euclidean or hyperbolic and obtained as a quotient of \(\mathbb S^3\), \(\mathbb R^3\) or \(\mathbb H^3\) by a normal subgroup of finite index, acting freely, of a Coxeter group \(C(n, m; 2, 2; 3, 3)\) or a twisted Coxeter group \(C_\tau(n, m; 2, 2; 3, 3)\). The action of \(G\) is obtained as the projection of the Coxeter or twisted Coxeter group to \(M\).