Algebraic ranks of CAT(0) groups. (Q2453733)

Algebraic rank of a group \(G\), defined by \textit{G. Prasad} and \textit{M. S. Raghunathan}, [Ann. Math. (2) 96, 296-317 (1972; Zbl 0245.22013)], is the smallest number \(r\) such that every finite index subgroup \(G^*\) of \(G\) can be covered by finitely many translates of its subset \(\mathcal A_r(G^*)\) consisting of all elements \(g\in G^*\) whose centralizer is virtually Abelian of rank at most \(r\). In the paper, algebraic ranks of various CAT(0) groups are studied. It is shown that \(\mathrm{rank}(G)=1\) for irreducible, infinite, non-affine right-angled Coxeter groups and irreducible right-angled Artin groups. As a corollary, the author obtains a new proof of the fact that such groups are not commensurable to any uniform lattice in a higher rank non-compact connected semi-simple Lie group. Furthermore, it is proved that the algebraic rank is at most \(1\) for groups relatively hyperbolic with respect to a family of infinite finitely generated subgroups, at least one of which contains an element of infinite order. This result includes in particular groups acting geometrically on CAT(0) spaces with isolated flats.