A geometric approach to the almost convexity and growth of some nilpotent groups (Q584409)

Let \(N_ 2=<x,y|\) \([[x,y],x]=[[x,y],y]=1>\) be the discrete Heisenberg group of rank 3. The author studies the Cayley graph \({\mathcal C}\) of \(N_ 2\) with respect to the set of generators \(S=\{x,y\}\). His thorough analysis leads to two important results on \(N_ 2.\) 1) An explicit computation of the growth-series of the pair \((N_ 2,S)\) in section 2. This result constitutes the solution of a rather deep combinatorial problem. It is an analogue of results of Benson on almost abelian groups. The formula on the growth series can also be found in the recent thesis of \textit{B. Weber} [Bonn. Math. Schr. 197 (1989; Zbl 0676.20017)]. 2) A determination of the cone types of the Cayley graph \({\mathcal C}\) and a proof of the almost convexity of \({\mathcal C}\). Surprisingly \({\mathcal C}\) has infinitely many cone types. This result contrasts to all known almost convex examples which in fact have finitely many cone types.