Finite group actions on 3-manifolds (Q580780)

The main result of this paper is that if \(M\) is a closed 3-manifold which has a geometric structure based on one of the geometries: \(H^ 2\times {\mathbb{R}}\), \((SL_ 2 {\mathbb{R}})^{\sim}\), Nil, \(E^ 3\), or Sol then any smooth action of a finite group on M must preserve the geometric structure (preserve a metric which induces the given geometry). Thurston has announced that any action of a finite group on a closed 3-manifold based on any of the eight 3-dimensional geometries (the above plus \(S^ 3\), \(S^ 2\times {\mathbb{R}}\), \(H^ 3)\) such that some element of \(G-\{1\}\) has a fixed point set of dimension at least one must preserve the geometric structure. Combining these two results with those of the first author and \textit{S.-T. Yau} [Pure Appl. Math. 112, 167-180 (1984; Zbl 0599.57007)] shows that geometric structures on closed 3-manifolds must be preserved by finite group actions except possibly in the case of structures based on \(S^ 3\) and free actions or structures based on \(H^ 3\) and actions for which each \(g\in G-\{1\}\) has a finite fixed point set. A main ingredient in the arguments is the following theorem: If a finite group, \(G\), acts on a Seifert fibered 3-manifold with infinite fundamental group in such a way as to preserve the subgroup generated by a regular fiber, then the manifold has a \(G\)-invariant Seifert fibration homotopic to the original. Proofs involve minimal surface techniques and also make use of the solution to the Smith conjecture.