Girth alternative for subgroups of \(\mathrm{PL}_o(I)\) (Q7033963)

This article proves that the Girth alternative holds for finitely generated subgroups of the group \(\mathrm{PL}_o(I)\), the group of orientation-preserving piecewise linear homeomorphisms of the interval \([0,1]\). That is, such subgroups are either solvable or have infinite girth (Theorem 1.2). The girth of a group is the supremum of the minimal lengths of nontrivial relations over all finite generating sets.\N\NThe argument uses structural results about \(\mathrm{PL}_o(I)\), in particular the theory of exemplary towers developed by \textit{C. Bleak} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 78, No. 2, 352--372 (2008; Zbl 1192.20025)]. The author constructs elements simulating iterated wreath products of \(\mathbb{Z}\), showing they generate subgroups with no short relations. This leads to new proofs of the fact that Thompson's group \(F\) and Brin's group \(B\) have infinite girth.\N\NA second main result (Theorem 1.5) shows that finitely generated subgroups of \(\mathrm{Homeo}_+(I)\) containing enough hyperbolic-like elements have infinite girth. Theorem 4.4 further generalizes this to groups acting by homeomorphisms on Hausdorff spaces, via a ping-pong argument.