A note on stamping (Q2385550)

Let \(\Gamma\) be a lattice in \(\text{Isom}(\mathbb{H}^3)\), and let \(M\) be the corresponding hyperbolic \(3\)-orbifold, i.e.\ the quotient of \(\mathbb{H}^3\) by \(\Gamma\). When viewed as a subgroup of the larger group of isometries of \(\mathbb{H}^4\), the ``quasi-Fuchsian'' deformation theory of \(\Gamma\) becomes of interest, and in fact the local deformations of \(\Gamma\) are equivalent to the deformations of the induced flat conformal structure on \(M\). An important class of such deformations is given by Thurston's so-called bending deformations which can be defined when \(M\) contains an embedded two-sided totally geodesic surface across which \(M\) is bent to produce the quasi-Fuchsian deformations. For small enough bending, one component of the convex hull boundary of the resulting quasi-Fuchsian group is three-dimensional and totally geodesic, except along the bent which produces a codimension-one singularity. Only few other types of deformations are known, amongst them the ``stamping deformation'' introduced by Apanasov. This deformation produces a codimension-two singularity in the convex hull boundary. The main result in the paper under review states that the stamping deformation is in fact the sum of three bending deformations.