Abelian covers of graphs and maps between outer automorphism groups of free groups. (Q443944)

Let \(F_n\) be the free group of rank \(n\). In [J. Algebra 229, No. 2, 785-792 (2000; Zbl 0959.20027); Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 35, No. 6, 785-792 (2003; Zbl 1049.20021); Commment Math. Helv. 86, No. 1, 73-90 (2011; Zbl 1223.20033)], the authors have explored properties of the group \(\text{Out}(F_n)\) of outer automorphisms of \(F_n\). Among other results, they have proved that, for \(m<n\), any homomorphism \(\text{Out}(F_n)\to\text{Out}(F_m)\) has image at most \(\mathbb Z_2\), and that the only monomorphisms \(\text{Out}(F_n)\to\text{Out}(F_n)\) are the inner automorphisms. In this paper the authors consider the case where \(m>n\) and deal with the question: For given \(n\), for which values of \(m\) is there a monomorphism \(\text{Out}(F_n)\to\text{Out}(F_m)\), and for which values of \(m\) do all maps \(\text{Out}(F_n)\to\text{Out}(F_m)\) have finite image? Partial answers of this question have been given by \textit{O. V. Bogopol'skij} and \textit{D. V. Puga} [Algebra Logika 41, No. 2, 123-129 (2002); translation in Algebra Logic 41, No. 2, 69-73 (2002; Zbl 1067.20042)] and \textit{D. G. Khramtsov} [in: Group-theoretic studies. Collection of scientific works. Sverdlovsk: Ural'skoe Otdelenie AN SSSR, 95-127 (1990; Zbl 0808.20035)]. In order to construct embeddings, the authors consider characteristic subgroups \(N<F_n\) and, identifying \(F_n\) with the inner automorphisms, examine the splitting of the short exact sequence \[ 1\to F_n/N\to\Aut(F_n)/N\to\text{Out}(F_n)\to 1. \] Using geometric arguments, they translate this splitting problem into a lifting problem for groups of homotopy equivalences of graphs and prove the following Theorem A. Let \(\widehat X\to X\) be a normal covering of a connected graph of genus \(n\geq 2\) with Abelian Galois group \(A\). The action of \(\text{Out}(F_n)\) by homotopy equivalences on \(X\) lifts to an action by fiber-preserving homotopy equivalences on \(\widehat X\) if and only if \(A\cong(\mathbb Z/r)^n\) with \(r\) coprime to \(n-1\). For this Theorem it is proved that it is equivalent to Theorem 1. Let \(F_n\) be a free group of rank \(n\) and let \(N<F_n\) be a characteristic subgroup with \(F_n/N\) Abelian. Then the short exact sequence \[ 1\to F_n/N\to\Aut(F_n)/N\to\text{Out}(F_n)\to 1 \] splits if and only if \(N=[F_n,F_n]F_n^r\) with \(r\) coprime to \(n-1\). Corollary. There exists an embedding \(\text{Out}(F_n)\to\text{Out}(F_m)\) for any \(m\) of the form \(m=r^n(n-1)+1\) with \(r>1\) coprime to \(n-1\). The negative part of Theorem A gives that the sequence \(1\to F_n/F_n'\to\Aut(F_n)/F_n'\to\text{Out}(F_n)\to 1\) does not split. From this the authors deduce the following Theorem B. Let \(M=H_1(F_n)\) be the standard \(\text{Out}(F_n)\)-module and let \(M^*\) be its dual. Then \(H^2(\text{Out}(F_n),M)\neq 0\), but \(H^2(\text{Out}(F_n),M^*)=0\) if \(n\geq 12\). These results give lower bounds on the value of \(m\) such that there is a monomorphism \(\text{Out}(F_n)\to\text{Out}(F_m)\). On the other hand it is proved, in some cases, that every homomorphism \(\text{Out}(F_n)\to\text{Out}(F_m)\) has image of order at most two. Theorem C. Suppose \(n>8\). If \(n\) is even and \(n<m\leq 2n\), or \(n\) is odd and \(n<m\leq 2n-2\), then every homomorphism \(\text{Out}(F_n)\to\text{Out}(F_m)\) factors through \(\det\colon\text{Out}(F_n)\to\mathbb Z/2\).