Asymptotically rigid mapping class groups. I: Finiteness properties of braided Thompson's and Houghton's groups (Q2674453)

Given a locally finite tree \(A\) embedded into the plane with discrete vertex set, an \textit{aboreal surface} is obtained as the surface with boundary given by thickening \(A\). The \textit{asymptotically rigid mapping class group} \(\mathfrak{mod}(A)\) consists of isotopy classes of orientation-preserving homeomorphisms which preserve a so-called \emph{rigid} polygonal structure in all but finitely many polygons. This framework is inspired by \textit{L. Funar} and \textit{C. Kapoudjian} [Geom. Topol. 12, No. 1, 475--530 (2008; Zbl 1187.20029)]. Let \(A_{n,m}\) denote the tree with one vertex of valence \(m\) and every other vertex of valence \(n+1\). The groups \(T_{n,m}:=\mathfrak{mod}(A_{n,m})\) are braided versions of Higman-Thompson groups. A \textit{braided Houghton group} \(\mathrm{br} H_n\) is also given in this framwork as \(\mathfrak{mod}(R_n)\) where \(R_n\) is the wedge of \(n\) infinite rays at their origins. For each simplicial tree \(A\) the authors construct a contractible cube complex admitting an action of \(\mathfrak{mod}(A)\) such that every finite order element of \(\mathfrak{mod}(A)\) fixes a vertex. The authors use this to calculate orders of elements in \(\mathfrak{mod}(A)\). The action also has the property that the stabilisers of cubes are isomorphic to finite extensions of braid groups. Recall that a group \(G\) is type \(\mathsf{F}_n\) if it admits a \(K(G,1)\) with finite \(n\)-skeleton. Similarly, \(G\) is type \(\mathsf{FP}_n\) if there exists a projective resolution of trivial \(\mathbb{Z}G\)-module \(\mathbb{Z}\) which is finitely generated up to degree \(n\). The authors prove the braided Higman-Thompson groups \(T_{m,n}\) are type \(\mathsf{F}_\infty\). They also prove braided Houghton group \(\mathrm{br} H_n\) is type \(\mathsf{F}_{n-1}\) but not type \(\mathsf{FP}_n\). The latter result has been obtained independently [\textit{K.-U. Bux}, in: Spectral structures and topological methods in mathematics. Zürich: European Mathematical Society (EMS). 299--321 (2019; Zbl 1472.20074)]. The author's strategy is to study the cube complex via cubical Morse theory, however there is a key technical difficulty in that there exists vertices of arbitrarily large height with non-simply-connected links. To overcome this the authors construct a \(\mathfrak{mod}(A_{m,n})\)-deformation retraction onto the spine of the cube complex. The authors also prove that the descending links of the spine are certain complexes of arcs in a disc or surface. The arguments for this last part are inspired by \textit{K.-U. Bux} et al. [J. Reine Angew. Math. 718, 59--101 (2016; Zbl 1397.20053)].