The algebraic structure of hyperbolic graph braid groups (Q6987064)

This paper investigates the structure of \(3\)-strand graph braid groups associated with sun and pulsar graphs, continuing the study initiated by \textit{A. Genevois} [Int. J. Algebra Comput. 31, No. 1, 81--116 (2021; Zbl 1491.20090)], who classified all graphs whose braid groups are word hyperbolic. The authors confirm a conjecture posed in [loc. cit.] by proving that 3-strand braid groups of sun graphs are free, and establish that the corresponding groups for pulsar graphs almost always contain surface subgroups. In particular, they show that the configuration space of three points on the generalized theta graph~\(\Theta_4\) is a closed orientable surface of genus~\(3\). Using PL Morse theory, they further derive a free product decomposition for these groups, highlighting structural differences between sun and pulsar graph braid groups.