Commensurability of geometric subgroups of mapping class groups (Q845791)

For a compact surface \(M\), we define the mapping class group \({\mathcal M}(M)\) to be the group of isotopy classes of diffeomorphisms of \(M\). If \(M\) is orientable, we consider only orientation preserving maps as elements of \({\mathcal M}(M)\). A subsurface \(N\) of \(M\) is a closed subset of \(M\) which is a surface. The inclusion of a subsurface \(N\) into \(M\) induces a homomorphism \(i_* : {\mathcal M}(N) \to {\mathcal M}(M)\), and its image \(i_* ({\mathcal M}(N))\) in \({\mathcal M}(M)\) is called a geometric subgroup of \({\mathcal M}(M)\). When \(M\) is orientable and subsurfaces are connected, geometric subgroups were studied by \textit{L. Paris} and \textit{D. Rolfsen} [J. Reine. Angew. Math. 521, 47--83 (2000; Zbl 1007.57014)]. In the paper under review, the author extends their analysis to the case where \(M\) can be nonorientable and subsurfaces can be disconnected. The author shows the following. (1) When a subsurface \(N\) is essential, the kernel of \(i_*\) can be described as in Theorem 3.6. (2) In Theorem 5.1, it is shown that, when a subsurface is essential, \(i_*({\mathcal M}(M))\) is virtually abelian if and only if \(N\) is a disjoint union of Klein bottles with one hole, skirts (Möbius band with one hole or puncture), pantalons (disks with three holes or punctures), and annuli. (3) For commensurable geometric subgroups \(i_*({\mathcal M}(N_0))\) and \(i_*({\mathcal M}(N_1))\), when the generic subsurfaces \(N_0\) and \(N_1\) have no common connected components up to isotopy, an algebraic characterization of \(i_*({\mathcal M}(N_0))\) and \(i_*({\mathcal M}(N_1))\) is described in Theorem 6.3, and a geometric characterization of \(N_0\) and \(N_1\) is described in Theorem 7.1. Moreover, a geometric characterization for a more general case is described in Theorem 7.3. (4) In Theorem 8.3, it is shown that the commensurator of \(i_*({\mathcal M}(N))\) is equal to a modified stabilizer of \(N\), and, in Theorem 8.4, the exact relationship between the commensurator of \(i_*({\mathcal M}(N))\) and the stabilizer of \(N\) is described when \(N\) is injective. (4) In section 9, by applying the above results to the action of \({\mathcal M}(M)\) on the reduced complex of curves, the set of equivalence classes of irreducible unitary representations of \({\mathcal M}(M)\) is investigated following the work of \textit{L. Paris} [Math. Ann. 322, No.~2, 301--315 (2002; Zbl 1016.57014)].