On the graded quotients of the algebra of \(\mathrm{SL}(2)\) characters of free groups (Q7239794)

Let \(F_n\) be a free group of rank \(n\), and let \(K\) be a field of characteristic \(0\). An \(\mathrm{SL}(2)\) character of \(F_n\) is the trace of an \(\mathrm{SL}(2)\) representation of \(F_n\). The natural action of \(\mathrm{Aut}(F_n)\) on the commutative \(K\)-algebra generated by these characters preserves the augmentation ideal \(J_n^+\), and the paper studies the graded quotients \((J_n^+)^k/(J_n^+)^{k+1}\) as \(\mathrm{Aut}(F_n)\)-modules.\N\NThe author determines explicit \(K\)-bases for these graded quotients in low ranks: for \(n=2\) in all degrees \(k\geq 1\), and for \(n=3\) with the corresponding triple-index terms. These bases are used to prove that \((J_2^+)^k/(J_2^+)^{k+1}\) is isomorphic to \(S^k(S^2(H_2))\) for every \(k\geq 1\), while for \(n=3\) and for \(n\geq 4\) in degrees \(1\leq k\leq 3\) the quotient modulo \(V_n^k\) is isomorphic to \(S^k(S^2(H_n))\).\N\NAs an application, the paper proves indecomposability of the representation of \(\mathrm{Aut}(F_n)\) on \((J_n^+) /(J_n^+)^2\) for every \(n\geq 3\), and on \((J_n^+)^2/(J_n^+)^3\) for every \(n\geq 4\).