The geometry of the Gauss-Picard modular group (Q621301)

Let \(H:= \{z\mid z\in\mathbb{P}^2(\mathbb{C})\), \(z= (z_1,:z_2:z_3)\), \(h(z, z)< 0\}\), where \(h(w, z):= \overline w_1z_3+ \overline w_2z_2+\overline w_3z_1\), be the complex hyperbolic space. The authors construct a polyhedron in \(H\), which is a fundamental domain with respect to the action of the discrete group \(\Gamma:= \mathrm{PU}(2, 1)(\mathbb{Z}[i])\), and use their construction to give a presentation of \(\Gamma\); the group \(\Gamma\) turns out to be generated by the three elements \(I\), \(Q\), \(T\) satisfying the following relations: \[ I^2= Q^2= (IQ)^3= (IT)^{12}= (IQT)^8= [(IT)^8,T]= [Q,T]= e \] (here \(e\) denotes the unit element of \(\Gamma\)). They go no to compute the volume of the orbifold \(H/\Gamma\) and show that their computations agree with those of the earlier authors, see, for instance, \textit{L. Cohn} [Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 158, 96 p. (1975; Zbl 0299.32030)]. Such fundamental domains were used by \textit{G. D. Mostow} [Pac. J. Math. 86, 171--276 (1980; Zbl 0456.22012)] in order to show the existence of non-arithmetic lattices in \(PU(2, 1)\). The authors indicate how the group \(\Gamma\) is related to triangle groups, specifically to two of the groups found by \textit{P. Deligne} and \textit{G. D. Mostow} [Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 63, 5--89 (1986; Zbl 0615.22008)].