Tiny non-Leighton complexes
Combinatorial aspects of simplicial complexes (05E45) Generators, relations, and presentations of groups (20F05) Simplicial sets and complexes in algebraic topology (55U10) 2-dimensional topology (including mapping class groups of surfaces, Teichmüller theory, curve complexes, etc.) (57K20) Triangulating manifolds (57Q15)
\textit{F. T. Leighton}'s Theorem [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. B 33, 231--238 (1982; Zbl 0488.05033)] says that two finite 1-dimensional CW complexes, e.g. graphs, which have a common covering must have a common finite sheeted covering. It is reasonable to ask if the analogous theorem holds for two finite CW complexes of dimension \(n \geq 2\) and, when it is false for a particular \(n\), how complicated the two \(n\)-complexes which provide a counterexample must be. This question motivates a definition. A pair of \(n\)-dimensional spaces \((K_1,K_2)\) are a \textit{non-Leighton pair} if they have a common infinite sheeted cover but no common finite sheeted cover.\N\NOne measure of the complexity of a 2-complex is the number of 2-cells it contains. \textit{D. T. Wise} shows [Comment. Math. Helv. 82, No. 4, 683--724 (2007; Zbl 1142.20025)] that there are non-Leighton pairs in dimension 2 with as few as six 2-cells in each. The authors show [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 174, No. 2, 385--391 (2023; Zbl 1529.57007)] that there are 2-dimensional non-Leighton pairs \((K_1,K_2)\) in which both \(K_1\) and \(K_2\) have CW structures with exactly two 2-cells in them. In the paper currently under review the authors continue their investigations of the existence of non-Leighton pairs of 2-complexes which contain only two 2-cells in the context of other measures of their complexity.\N\NThe \textit{(pseudo-simplicial) complexity} of a 2-complex \(K\) is the number of triangles in a \textit{pseudo simplicial triangulation} of \(K\), that is, a triangulation of \(K\) in which pairs of triangles can share several edges and vertices. The authors show there is a non-Leighton pair of 2-complexes each of complexity five. Specifically, they show\N\N\textbf{Main Theorem.} The complexity five complexes of the presentations \N\[\N H_{\epsilon} \langle a,b,c : c^{-1}ac=a^{\epsilon},d^{-1}cd= c^2 \rangle, \ \ \epsilon \in \{\pm 1\}, \N\] \Ncontaining two 2-cells each have a common covering, but no finite common covering.\N\NNote that the two groups used in the theorem are amalgamated products of the solvable Baumslag-Solitar group \(BS(1,2) = \langle c,d: d^{-1}cd=c^2 \rangle\) with either the fundamental group of the torus or that of the Klein bottle. The authors point out that this is somewhat surprising. Their earlier paper uses a non-residually finite Baumslag-Solitar group in its constructions.
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