No label defined (Q4946212)

Each finite subgroup \(G\) of the outer automorphism group \(\text{Out} F_n\) of a free group \(F_n\) can be induced by the action of \(G\) on a finite graph \(\Gamma\) with fundamental group \(F_n\). In the present paper, necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the centralizer of a finite group \(G\) of outer automorphisms (resp. automorphisms) of a free group \(F_n\) to be finite, in terms of the action of \(G\) on such a finite \(G\)-graph \(\Gamma\). This is done on the basis of work of Krstić who showed how to find generators of the centralizer of \(G\) from its action on \(\Gamma\), in terms of graph isomorphisms and certain graph transformations. The necessary and sufficient conditions given in the present paper are alternative to those given by Pettet for a free-by-finite group (the extension of \(F_n\) determined by \(G\)) to have a finite outer automorphism group, in terms of the action of the extension on a tree resp. the associated graph of groups. The question about centralizers is of interest also for the computation of the integral Euler characteristic of \(\text{Out} F_n\) for which it is sufficient to know the rational Euler characteristic of the centralizers of finite order elements in \(\text{Out} F_n\) (computed by Smillie and Vogtmann for the whole group \(\text{Out} F_n\) which may be considered the centralizer of the trivial automorphism). For the entire collection see [Zbl 0930.00042].