Rank one lattices whose parabolic isometries have no rotational part (Q4396433)

Let \(X\) denote a rank one symmetric space of noncompact type and \(\sum\) denote a lattice in the isometry group Iso \((X)\). The author gives a simple geometric argument to prove the theorem: For any lattice \(\Sigma\subset\text{Iso}(X)\) in the isometry group of a rank one symmetric space \(X\) of noncompact type, there exists a finite subset \(F\subset \Sigma\) of parabolic isometries such that the following holds. Assume \(\Sigma'\triangleleft\Sigma\) is a normal subgroup and \(\Sigma' \cap F=\varnothing\). Then any parabolic isometry in \(\Sigma'\) has no rotational part. As a consequence of the theorem, he obtains a corollary (the statement is proved in [\textit{H. Garland} and \textit{M. S. Raghunathan}, Ann. Math., II. Ser. 92, 279-326 (1970; Zbl 0206.03603)]).