Stallings graphs for quasi-convex subgroups

We show that one can define and effectively compute Stallings graphs for quasi-convex subgroups of automatic groups (\textit{e.g.} hyperbolic groups or right-angled Artin groups). These Stallings graphs are finite labeled graphs, which are canonically associated with the corresponding subgroups. We show that this notion of Stallings graphs allows a unified approach to many algorithmic problems: some which had already been solved like the generalized membership problem or the computation of a quasi-convexity constant (Kapovich, 1996); and others such as the computation of intersections, the conjugacy or the almost malnormality problems. Our results extend earlier algorithmic results for the more restricted class of virtually free groups. We also extend our construction to relatively quasi-convex subgroups of relatively hyperbolic groups, under certain additional conditions.Comment: 40 pages. New and improved versio

The isomorphism problem for all hyperbolic groups

We give a solution to Dehn's isomorphism problem for the class of all hyperbolic groups, possibly with torsion. We also prove a relative version for groups with peripheral structures. As a corollary, we give a uniform solution to Whitehead's problem asking whether two tuples of elements of a hyperbolic group $G$ are in the same orbit under the action of \Aut(G). We also get an algorithm computing a generating set of the group of automorphisms of a hyperbolic group preserving a peripheral structure.Comment: 71 pages, 4 figure

The Grushko decomposition of a finite graph of finite rank free groups: an algorithm

A finitely generated group admits a decomposition, called its Grushko decomposition, into a free product of freely indecomposable groups. There is an algorithm to construct the Grushko decomposition of a finite graph of finite rank free groups. In particular, it is possible to decide if such a group is free.Comment: Published by Geometry and Topology at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/gt/GTVol9/paper41.abs.htm

On the finite presentation of subdirect products and the nature of residually free groups

We establish {\em{virtual surjection to pairs}} (VSP) as a general criterion for the finite presentability of subdirect products of groups: if $\Gamma_1,...,\Gamma_n$ are finitely presented and $S<\Gamma_1\times...\times\Gamma_n$ projects to a subgroup of finite index in each $\Gamma_i\times\Gamma_j$, then $S$ is finitely presentable, indeed there is an algorithm that will construct a finite presentation for $S$. We use the VSP criterion to characterise the finitely presented residually free groups. We prove that the class of such groups is recursively enumerable. We describe an algorithm that, given a finite presentation of a residually free group, constructs a canonical embedding into a direct product of finitely many limit groups. We solve the (multiple) conjugacy problem and membership problem for finitely presentable subgroups of residually free groups. We also prove that there is an algorithm that, given a finite generating set for such a subgroup, will construct a finite presentation. New families of subdirect products of free groups are constructed, including the first examples of finitely presented subgroups that are neither ${\rm{FP}}_\infty$ nor of Stallings-Bieri typeComment: 44 pages. To appear in American Journal of Mathematics. This is a substantial rewrite of our previous Arxiv article 0809.3704, taking into account subsequent developments, advice of colleagues and referee's comment