\(\mathrm{Out}(F_r)\) train track automata. I: Proper full fold decompositions (Q7309900)

The paper constructs finite lamination train track (ltt) automata that encode proper full fold decompositions of train track representatives of fully irreducible elements of \(\mathrm{Out}(F_r)\), for \(r\geq 3\). For a lone axis ideal Whitehead graph \(G\), loops in the automaton \(A(G)\) determine train track maps. Under suitable conditions, these maps represent lone axis fully irreducible outer automorphisms with ideal Whitehead graph \(G\). Conversely, every train track representative of a lone axis fully irreducible \(\varphi\) has a Stallings fold decomposition that is partial-fold conjugate to one determining a directed loop in \(A(IW(\varphi))\).\N\NThe construction is then extended to fully singular train track representatives, namely PNP-free representatives whose vertices are all principal. Under the stated additional conditions, a loop in the corresponding automaton gives an ageometric fully irreducible outer automorphism with prescribed ideal Whitehead graph. Conversely, every proper full fold decomposition of a fully singular train track representative determines such a directed loop. Finally, every bi-infinite path consisting of proper full folds in a fully singular ltt automaton determines a geodesic in \(CV_r\).