Zero entropy subgroups of mapping class groups (Q510389)

Let \(M\) be a compact surface with boundary and let \(X\) be a finite set of points in the interior of \(M\). Let \(\mathcal{B}(M,X)\) denote the mapping class group of \(M\setminus X\), i.e., \(\mathcal{B}(M,X)\) is the group of isotopy classes of homeomorphisms of \(M\) which fix the boundary \(\partial M\) of \(M\) pointwise and permute the elements of \(X\). The isotopies, as well as the homeomorphisms, are required to fix \(\partial M\) pointwise. The authors investigate how the dynamical properties of a group action on a surface with a finite invariant set are affected by the algebraic properties of the induced group of permutations of the invariant set. In particular, they investigate how the dynamical properties of the mapping class group \(\mathcal{B}(M,X)\) are affected by the algebraic properties of the induced group of permutations of the finite set \(X\). It is shown that if the induced permutation group is not solvable, then among the homemorphisms in the group there must in many circumstances be one with a pseudo-Anosov component. For the mapping class group \(\mathcal{B}(M,X)\) the authors obtain the stronger result that in many circumstances (e.g., if \(\partial M \neq \emptyset\)) this group is solvable if it has no elements with pseudo-Anosov components.