Two-generator subgroups of the pure braid group. (Q5961887)

Let \(A\) be a set of \(n\) points in the interior of the 2-disc \(B^2\). The pure braid group \(PB_n\) is the group of homeomorphisms of \(B^2\) which keep \(A\cup S^1\) fixed pointwise, modulus isotopy through such homeomorphisms. Of course \(PB_n\) depends only on \(n\) up to isomorphisms. We have \(PB_0\cong PB_1\cong 1\) and \(PB_2\cong\mathbb{Z}\). Moreover \(PB_n\) is not Abelian and torsion free for all \(n\geq 3\). In the paper under review the authors show the following Theorem: any two non-commuting elements \(g,h\in PB_n\) generate a free subgroup of \(PB_n\). This answers a question of Luis Paris. In order to prove this theorem the authors note that it is a consequence of the analogous result for the pure mapping class group \(\mathrm{PMod}(S_{0,n})\) of an \(n\)-punctured sphere, since \(PB_n\cong\mathrm{PMod}(S_{0,n+1})\times\mathbb{Z}\). The statement about \(\mathrm{PMod}(S_{0,n+1})\) is proved by induction on \(n\).