Universal central extensions of special automorphism groups of free groups (Q752181)

Let \(SA_ n\) and \(SO_ n\) be respectively the special automorphism group and the special outer automorphism group of the n-generated free group. For \(n\geq 5\) every such group coincides with its commutator subgroup hence it possesses a universal central extension. Its kernel, well known as Schur multiplier, is denoted \(M(SA_ n)\), \(M(SO_ n)\). \textit{S. Gersten} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 33, 269-279 (1984; Zbl 0542.20021)] calculated \(M(SA_ n)\) for \(n\geq 5\). The author of the present paper develops a somewhat different method which permits to calculate \(M(SA_ n)\) and \(M(SO_ n)\) for all \(n\geq 3\). More precisely \(M(SO_ n)\) is isomorphic to \(M(SA_ n)\) for all \(n\geq 3\) and \(M(SA_ 3)\cong Z_ 2\times Z_ 2\times Z_ 2\), \(M(SA_ 4)\cong Z_ 2\times Z_ 2\), \(M(SA_ n)\cong Z_ 2\) for \(n\geq 5\). The calculations are detailed enough and are based on the convenient presentation of \(SA_ n\), \(n\geq 3\) found by Gersten.