Automorphisms of free groups and their fixed points (Q799798)

Let \(\phi\) denote an automorphism of a free group F of finite rank. Then Fi\(x(\phi)\), the set of elements fixed by \(\phi\), is easily seen to be a subgroup of F. It was conjectured by W. Jaco and P. Scott in the early 1970's that Fi\(x(\phi)\) has finite rank, and this conjecture was recently proved by \textit{S. M. Gersten}, using graph-theoretical techniques [Bull. Am. Math. Soc., New Ser. 8, 451-454 (1983; Zbl 0512.20014)]. Gersten's proof is somewhat complicated, however, and the present paper gives one of several simpler proofs which have since appeared. Others are due to D. Cooper; M. Culler and K. Vogtmann; H. Hoare; and J. R. Stallings. For a full discussion and precise references, see the survey article by \textit{P. Scott} [An introduction to automorphisms of free groups (to appear)]. The method applied in the present paper is due originally to J. H. C. Whitehead: realize F as the fundamental group of a closed 3-manifold M, and consider maximal nonseparating sets S, \(\Sigma\) of embedded 2-spheres in M, corresponding to bases B, \(\phi\) (B) of F. By a judicious choice of S and \(\Sigma\), the authors obtain a finite graph W such that \(rank(Fix(\phi))\leq rank(\pi_ 1W)\). The graph W is essentially the same as one which appears in Gersten's proof.