Pattern rigidity in hyperbolic spaces: duality and PD subgroups. (Q763711)

Summary: For \(i=1,2\), let \(G_i\) be cocompact groups of isometries of hyperbolic space \(\mathbf H^n\) of real dimension \(n\), \(n\geq 3\). Let \(H_i\subset G_i\) be infinite index quasiconvex subgroups satisfying one of the following conditions: (1) The limit set of \(H_i\) is a codimension one topological sphere. (2) The limit set of \(H_i\) is an even dimensional topological sphere. (3) \(H_i\) is a codimension one duality group. This generalizes (1). In particular, if \(n=3\), \(H_i\) could be any freely indecomposable subgroup of \(G_i\). (4) \(H_i\) is an odd-dimensional Poincaré duality group \(\text{PD}(2k+1)\). This generalizes (2). We prove pattern rigidity for such pairs extending work of \textit{R. E. Schwartz} [Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 82, 133-168 (1995; Zbl 0852.22010)], who proved pattern rigidity when \(H_i\) is cyclic. All this generalizes to quasiconvex subgroups of uniform lattices in rank one symmetric spaces satisfying one of the conditions (1)-(4), as well as certain special subgroups with disconnected limit sets. In particular, pattern rigidity holds for all quasiconvex subgroups of hyperbolic 3-manifolds that are not virtually free. Combining this with results of \textit{L. Mosher, M. Sageev}, and \textit{K. Whyte} [Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 1008 (2011; Zbl 1234.20034)], we obtain quasi-isometric rigidity results for graphs of groups where the vertex groups are uniform lattices in rank one symmetric spaces and the edge groups are of any of the above types.