Embedding surfaces into \(S^3\) with maximum symmetry (Q902291)

Denote by \(\Sigma_g\) the sphere with \(g\) handles. Denote by \(OE_g\) the maximal \(n\) such that for some smooth embedding \(\Sigma_g \to S^3\) there is a group of \(n\) (pairwise distinct) orientation-preserving self-diffeomorphisms of \(S^3\) which preserve \(\Sigma_g\) and which restrict to \(n\) (pairwise distinct) orientation-preserving self-diffeomorphisms of \(\Sigma_g\). The main result in the present paper is the determination of \(OE_g\) and some related numbers. Except for 23 values of \(g\) not exceeding \(41^2=1681\), \[ OE_g=\begin{cases} 4(g+1) & g\neq k^2\\ 4(\sqrt g+1)^2 & g=k^2. \end{cases} \] The proof is based on a study of the 3-orbifold that is the quotient of \(S^3\) by the \(n\) diffeomorphisms. The proof involves both interesting ideas and technical propositions. Instructions on computer verification of the latter, as well as more details of the proof, are available in the arxiv-version of this article, \url{arXiv:1209.1170}, version 4 or higher.