On free subgroups of semi-simple groups (Q789545)

Let \(\Gamma\) be a non-commutative free group acting on a set X. Assume that \(\Gamma\) acts freely. It was shown in 1956 by T. J. Decker that a strong form of the Hausdorff-Banach-Tarski paradox holds for X, namely X is equivalent to the union of n copies of itself via finite congruences. This leads to the problem of finding free actions of free groups. This problem was considered by A. Borel in the case of homogeneous spaces of compact Lie groups. Theorem: Let U be a non-trivial semisimple compact Lie group. Then U contains a non-commutative free subgroup \(\Gamma\) with the following property: for any proper closed subgroup V, any element \(\gamma\epsilon\Gamma\)-\(\{\) 1) acting by left translation on U/V has exactly \(\chi\) (U/V) fixed points, where \(\chi\) (U/V) is the Euler characteristic of U/V. In particular this theorem implies that \(\Gamma\) acts freely if \(\chi(U/V)=0\). Note that the number of fixed points is the smallest possible. The problem of finding actions of free groups with commutative isotropy groups in cases where free actions are ruled out is discussed in the last section.