On the intersection of free subgroups in free products of groups with no 2-torsion. (Q716399)

Let \(L\) be a set, \((G_\ell\mid\ell\in L)\) be a family of groups and \(F\) be a free group. Suppose that \(G=F*(*_{\ell\in L}G_\ell)\) is the free product of \(F\) and of \(G_\ell\), \(\ell\in L\). There is a Bass-Serre tree, say \(T\), on which \(G\) acts. Let \(\mathcal F\) denote the set all finitely generated subgroups of \(G\) which act freely on \(T\). Namely \(\mathcal F\) consists with all the finitely generated subgroups \(H\) of \(G\) with the property \(H\cap G_\ell^g=1\) for all \(g\in G\) and all \(\ell\in L\). Let \(\alpha_3(G)=\inf\{|D|:D\) is a finite subgroup of \(G\) with \(|D|\geq 3\}\) and \(\vartheta(G)=\frac{\alpha_3(G)}{\alpha_3(G)-2}\). For a free group \(H\) the reduced rank of \(H\) is defined as \(\overline r(H)=\max\{\text{rank}(H)-1,0\}\). Let \(\sigma(\mathcal F)=\inf\{s\in[0,\infty]:\) for all \(H,K\in\mathcal F\), \(\sum_{HgK\in H\backslash G/K}\overline r(H^g\cap K)\leq s\cdot\vartheta(G)\cdot\overline r(H)\cdot\overline r(K)\}\in[0,\,\infty]\). The problem is to estimate sharp bounds for \(\sigma(\mathcal F)\). In the special case where the index set \(L\) is empty (\(G=F\) is free) it is well known that \(\sigma(\mathcal F)\in[1,2]\) and it is conjectured (proved) that \(\sigma(\mathcal F)=1\) (the Strengthened Hanna Neumann Conjecture). In the general case it is proved by the authors [in Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 144, No. 3, 511-534 (2008; Zbl 1154.20025)] that again \(\sigma(\mathcal F)\in[1,2]\) and if \(G\) has 2-torsion then \(\sigma(\mathcal F)=2\). Also it is conjectured that if \(G\) is 2-torsion-free then \(\sigma(\mathcal F)=1\). In the paper under consideration the authors examine some partial cases proving that it is possible to have \(\sigma(\mathcal F)<2\) (Theorems 5.3 and 6.3 in the paper). Although the results cover special cases and the arguments seem technical, an assiduous examination of paths in the Bass-Serre tree of the group \(G\) has been done. The reference to a theorem of \textit{J. M. Pollard} [in J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 8, 460-462 (1974; Zbl 0322.10024)] is also necessary. The article concludes with an extensive appendix proving an inequality needed in the proof of Theorem 6.3.