On the first cohomology group of cofinite subgroups in surface mapping class groups (Q5930187)

In this paper the author proves two theorems about the first cohomology group of the mapping class group \(M_g\) of a compact Riemann surface \(S\) of genus \(g\). The first theorem is, that if \(g>2\) then, for any subgroup \(\Gamma\) of \(M_g\) of finite index then \(H^1(\Gamma, \mathbb{Z})=0\). The proof uses the known structure theory of the mapping class group, particularly that based on Torelli's theorem, and the knowledge that the congruence subgroup property holds for \(Sp(2g, \mathbb{Z})\) for \(g\geq 2\). The condition \(g>2\) arises from the existence of a particular set of generators for \(M_g\) in this case. The second theorem shows if \(g=2\) the contrary is true, namely that there always exists \(\Gamma\) for which the group \(H^1(\Gamma, \mathbb{Z})\) is non-trivial. This is the more delicate and subtle argument.