Generalized torsion, unique root property and Baumslag-Solitar relation for knot groups (Q6187388)

The authors consider 4 properties (\(R, \overline{R}, R^*, B\)) of groups and investigate which knot groups may enjoy these properties. They note, cite, or prove that these properties are ordered, in the sense that knot groups (indeed all torsion free groups) with property \(\overline{R}\) have property \(R\), knot groups with property \(R^*\) have property \(\overline{R}\), and knot groups (indeed all groups) with property \(B\) have property \(R^*\). The properties in question are defined as follows: A group in which any pair of elements \(x\) and \(y\) satisfying an equation \(x^n = y^n, n >0\) are equal has property \(R\) and is called an \(R\) group. A torsion free group \(G\) in which the normalizer and centralizer of the insulator \(I\langle x\rangle = \{g \in G\mid g^n\in \langle x\rangle \}\) coincide for any \(x \in G\) has property \(\overline{R}\) and is called an \(\overline{R}\) group. If a product of \(n>1\) conjugates of an element of a group is the identity, the element is said to be a generalized torsion element (here shortened to \(gte\)) of order \(n\). A group containing no \(gte\) has property \(R^*\) and is called an \(R^*\) group. The bi-orderable groups are denoted here by \(B\). The authors cite previous work showing precisely which knot groups are \(R\) groups, and, using work of Baumslag and Solitar, prove that those groups are also \(\overline{R}\) groups. Thus while not true in general, for knot groups these two properties are equivalent. As to \(R^*\), they note from previous work that infinitely many hyperbolic knot groups do not have property \(R^*\) but do have property \(\overline{R}\). On the other hand, while not true in general, they conjecture that for 3-manifold groups (this includes knot groups) Properties \(B\) and \(R^*\) are equivalent. Particular attention is given to certain cases where a group lies outside of \(R^*\) because it contains a \(gte\) of order 2. When the group is a knot group this case provides insights into certain (even) cable knot and (even) torus knot groups, which are the only examples of knot groups with a \(gte\) of order \(2\) (from which it follows that the equation \(x^2 = y^2\) does not have a unique solution) and they thus conclude that groups of hyperbolic knots have no \(gte\) of order \(2\). They note that when the knot group contains a \(gte\) of order \(2\) there is an essential map from the Klein bottle into the knot space. The fact that examples of non-unique roots, when they occur in a knot group, are conjugates seems to have motivated the definitions and proofs of the character of the refinements of \(R\), and the authors' theorem equating \(R\) and \(\overline{R}\) captures that nicely.