Categorical group invariants of 3-manifolds (Q470889)

Let \(M\) be a 3-dimensional closed manifold. For a given class of groups \({\mathcal G}\), the \({\mathcal G}\)-category of \(M\) is the smallest integer \( k\) such that \(M\) can be covered by \(k\) open sets \(U_1, \cdots , U_k\) for which for each point \(*\) in some \(U_i\), the image of the natural map \(\pi_1(U_i, *)\) in \(\pi_1(M,*)\) belongs to \({\mathcal G}\). Denote \({\mathcal G}_1\) the category of virtually nilpotent groups and by \({\mathcal G}_2\) the category of amenable groups. In a previous paper [Algebr. Geom. Topol. 13, No. 2, 905--925 (2013; Zbl 1348.55006)], the authors show that the \({\mathcal G}_1\)-category is 3 if and only if the \({\mathcal G}_2\)-category is 3. Here the authors characterize all 3-manifolds of \({\mathcal G}\)-category 1,2 or 3 for various classes of \({\mathcal G}\), the solvable groups, the virtually solvable groups and a new family of groups containing extensions of polycyclic groups.