The discrete and nondiscrete subgroups of \(SL(2,\mathbb{R})\) and \(SL(2,\mathbb{C})\) (Q5957958)

Let \(G\) be a non-elementary subgroup of \(SL(2,\mathbb{R})\). \(G\) is discrete if and only if each cyclic subgroup of \(G\) is discrete. In addition, we define \(E(G,G)=\{[f,g] \mid f,g\in G\) elliptic elements with \(\langle f,g \rangle\) non-elementary\} and \(TE(G,G)= \{tr Q-2\mid Q\in E(G,G)\}\). It is well known (in a different setting) that also \(G\) is discrete if and only if \(E(G,G)= \emptyset\) or \(\inf\{TE(G,G)\}\geq 2-2\cos {\pi\over 7}\) (see also [\textit{B. Fine} and \textit{G. Rosenberger}; Classification of all generating pairs of two generator Fuchsian groups in Lond. Math. Soc. Lect. Note Ser. 211, 205-232 (1995; Zbl 0847.20044)]). Y. Chu and X. Wang here extend this to the following. \(G\) is not discrete if and only if \(TE(G,G)\) is dense in \([0,\infty)\). Analogous results can be proven if we consider pairs of parabolic or hyperbolic elements in \(G\). The case of pairs of parabolic elements extends to a non-elementary subgroup \(G\) of \(SL(2,\mathbb{C})\). If \(G\) contains parabolic elements then we define \(P(G,G)\) and \(TP(G,G)\) analogously for parabolic elements \(f,g\in G\). Let \(G\) be a non-elementary subgroup of \(SL(2,\mathbb{C})\) containing parabolic elements. Then (1) \(G\) is discrete if and only if \(\inf\{|A|\mid A\in TP(G,G)\}\geq 1\); (2) \(G\) is not discrete if and only if \(TP(G,G) \cap S\neq \emptyset\) for any annulus \(S=\{z\in \mathbb{C}\mid a<|z|<b\}\) \((0<a<b)\).