Hypermap operations of finite order (Q973162)

Playing a key role in the study of hypermaps and oriented hypermaps are the groups \(\Delta = \langle \, a,b,c \, | \, a^2 = b^2 = c^2 = 1 \, \rangle\), which is isomorphic to the free product \(C_2 * C_2 * C_2\), and its index 2 subgroup \(\Delta^{+} = \langle \, x,y,z \, | \, xyz = 1 \, \rangle\), which is isomorphic to the free group \(F_2\). Operations on hypermaps such as duality and reflection correspond to outer automorphisms of these groups (as shown by \textit{L. D. James}, in [``Operations on hypermaps, and outer automorphisms,'' Eur. J. Comb. 9, No.\,6, 551--560 (1988; Zbl 0698.05028)]). In this paper the authors describe the known classification of elements of finite order in the outer automorphism groups of \(\Delta\) and \(\Delta^{+}\), namely \(PGL_2({\mathbb Z})\) and \(GL_2({\mathbb Z})\), and study the corresponding periodic operators on hypermaps and oriented hypermaps. They also discuss canonical forms for elements of \(PGL_2({\mathbb Z})\), and properties of a \textit{generalised chirality group} (associated with an outer automorphism \(\alpha\) of \(\Delta\) or \(\Delta^{+}\) such that \(\alpha^2\) is an inner automorphism).