Subgroups of \(\mathrm{PL}_+ I\) which do not embed into Thompson's group \(F\) (Q6039657)

Summary: We will give a general criterion -- the existence of an \(F\)-\textit{obstruction} -- for showing that a subgroup of \(\mathrm{PL}_+ I\) does not embed into Thompson's group \(F\). An immediate consequence is that Cleary's ``golden ratio'' group \(F_{\tau}\) does not embed into \(F\), answering a question of \textit{J. Burillo} et al. [Proc. Edinb. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 65, No. 1, 244--262 (2022; Zbl 1514.20101)]. Our results also yield a new proof that Stein's groups \(F_{p,q}\) do not embed into \(F\), a result first established by \textit{Y. Lodha} [Isr. J. Math. 235, No. 1, 183--212 (2020; Zbl 1487.57042)] using his theory of coherent actions. We develop the basic theory of \(F\)-obstructions and show that they exhibit certain rigidity phenomena of independent interest. In the course of establishing the main result of the paper, we prove a dichotomy theorem for subgroups of \(\mathrm{PL}_+ I\). In addition to playing a central role in our proof, it is strong enough to imply both Rubin's reconstruction theorem restricted to the class of subgroups of \(\mathrm{PL}_+ I\) and also Brin's ubiquity theorem.