Splittings of \(\mathbb S^4\) (Q2493413)

This paper generalizes results of the author in [Pac. J. Math. 208, 283--290 (2003; Zbl 1052.57032)] concerning codimension 0 splittings of \(S^4 = M_1 \cup M_2.\) In the current paper the author utilizes techniques from the earlier paper with an algebraic lemma concerning balanced finite presentations and Andrews-Curtis moves to prove that whenever \(P_1,P_2\) are balanced presentations of groups \(G_1,G_2\) with isomorphic abelianizations, then there is a splitting of \(S^4\) as above with \(\pi_1(M_i) = G_i.\) Moreover, each \(M_i\) has a handle decomposition with one 0-handle, \(n\) 1-handles, and \(n\) 2-handles, with the associated group presentation for \(G_i\) being Andrews-Curtis equivalent to \(P_i.\) The proof utilizes the algebraic information to explicitly construct the handle decompositions. The paper concludes with some examples and questions motivated by work of \textit{C. Livingston} [Pac. J. Math. 209, 319--323 (2003; Zbl 1059.57013)], [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 138, 107--115 (2005; Zbl 1079.57021)] regarding embeddings of contractible 4-manifolds is \(S^4.\)