Fractional powers of Dehn twists about nonseparating curves

DOI10.1017/S0017089513000177zbMATH Open1286.57017arXiv1207.3581MaRDI QIDQ5397665FDOQ5397665

Authors: Kashyap Rajeevsarathy 

Publication date: 24 February 2014

Published in: Glasgow Mathematical Journal (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Let $S_g$ be a closed orientable surface of genus $ggeq2$ and $C$ a simple closed nonseparating curve in $F$. Let $t_C$ denote a left handed Dehn twist about $C$. A extit{fractional power} of $t_C$ of extit{exponent} $fractionelln$ is an $hinMod(S_g)$ such that $h^n=t_C^{ell}$. Unlike a root of a $t_C$, a fractional power $h$ can exchange the sides of $C$. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of both side-exchanging and side-preserving fractional powers. We show in the side-preserving case that if $gcd(ell,n)=1$, then $h$ will be isotopic to the $el{l}^{th}$ power of an $n^{th}$ root of $t_C$ and that $nleq2g+1$. In general, we show that $nleq4g$, and that side-preserving fractional powers of exponents $fraction2g2g+2$ and $fraction2g4g$ always exist. For a side-exchanging fractional power of exponent $fractionell2n$, we show that $2ngeq2g+2$, and that side-exchanging fractional powers of exponent $fraction2g+24g+2$ and $fraction4g+14g+2$ always exist. We give a complete listing of certain side-preserving and side-exchanging fractional powers on $S_5$.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1207.3581

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zbMATH Keywords

mapping class groupDehn twistroot

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Group actions on manifolds and cell complexes in low dimensions (57M60)

Cites Work

• The Geometries of 3-Manifolds
• CYCLIC GROUPS OF AUTOMORPHISMS OF A COMPACT RIEMANN SURFACE
• Dehn twists have roots
• Roots of Dehn twists

Cited In (5)

• ON POWERS OF HALF-TWISTS IN M(0, 2n)
• Split metacyclic actions on surfaces
• Commuting conjugates of finite-order mapping classes
• Factoring periodic maps into Dehn twists
• ROOTS OF DEHN TWISTS ABOUT MULTICURVES

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