Boundaries of Generalized Baumslag-Solitar Groups

Dr. Molly Moran
Colorado College
Assistant Professor of Mathematics

“In Geometric Group Theory, we seek to understand algebraic properties of finitely generated groups by examining the topological and geometric properties of spaces that the group acts on in a “nice” way. In this talk, we are interested in studying Baumslag-Solitar groups, which are a class of two generator and one relator groups. We will give some background on these groups, describe their generalizations, and visualize a space they act on. Once we have this space, we will describe a special way to compactify these spaces so that the compactification does not drastically change the geometry of the space. This type of compactification was introduced by M. Bestvina and is called a Z-structure. By the end of the talk we will show that generalized Baumslag-Solitar groups admit Z-structures thus adding something new to the collection of groups known to admit this type of compactification.”

Light refreshments will be served @ 1:30pm in EMS E424A.