Block mapping class groups and their finiteness properties (Q7022294)

This paper investigates the structure and finiteness properties of block mapping class groups, denoted as \(\mathfrak{B}(H)\), which arise as natural extensions of mapping class groups in the context of surfaces with a Cantor set of ends. The authors introduce a construction where elements of \(\mathfrak{B}(H)\) respect a block decomposition of a surface \(\Sigma_g\) and act eventually as elements of a prescribed subgroup \(H\) of the mapping class group of a single block.\N\NA key contribution of this work is proving that the finiteness properties of \(\mathfrak{B}(H)\) are dictated by those of \(H\). Specifically, \(\mathfrak{B}(H)\) is of type \(F_n\) if and only if \(H\) is. This result extends existing knowledge on asymptotic mapping class groups and Thompson-like groups, with connections to prior work on braided Thompson groups and the Higman-Thompson groups by \textit{D. S. Farley} and \textit{B. Hughes} [Proc. Edinb. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 58, No. 2, 379--402 (2015; Zbl 1367.20044)].\N\NThe article establishes connections with previous research on big mapping class groups by the first author and \textit{N. G. Vlamis} [in: In the tradition of Thurston. Geometry and topology. Cham: Springer. 459--496 (2020; Zbl 1479.57037)] and provides a concrete realization of subgroups within \(\text{Map}(\Sigma_g)\) with prescribed finiteness conditions.