Actions of SL(n,Z) on homology spheres

Any continuous action of SL(n,Z), where n > 2, on a r-dimensional mod 2 homology sphere factors through a finite group action if r < n - 1. In particular, any continuous action of SL(n+2,Z) on the n-dimensional sphere factors through a finite group action.Comment: 11 page

Spin polarisation by external magnetic fields, Aharonov-Bohm flux strings, and chiral symmetry breaking in QED3_3

In the first part, the induced vacuum spin around an Aharonov-Bohm flux string in massless three-dimensional QED is computed explicitly and the result is shown to agree with a general index theorem. A previous observation in the literature, that the presence of induced vacuum quantum numbers which are not periodic in the flux make an integral-flux AB string visible, is reinforced. In the second part, a recent discussion of chiral symmetry breaking by external magnetic fields in parity invariant QED$_3$ and its relation to the induced spin in parity non-invariant QED$_3$ is further elaborated. Finally other vacuum polarisation effects around flux tubes in different variants of QED, in three and four dimensions are mentioned.Comment: 20 page Latex fil

Simple braids for surface homeomorphisms

Let S be a compact, oriented surface with negative Euler characteristic and let f be a homeomorphism of S that is isotopic to the identity. If there exists a periodic orbit with a non-zero rotation vector, then there exists a simple braid with the same rotation vector.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

On 3-manifolds that support partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms

Let M be a closed 3-manifold that supports a partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism f. If $\pi_1(M)$ is nilpotent, the induced action of f on $H_1(M, R)$ is partially hyperbolic. If $\pi_1(M)$ is almost nilpotent or if $\pi_1(M)$ has subexponential growth, M is finitely covered by a circle bundle over the torus. If $\pi_1(M)$ is almost solvable, M is finitely covered by a torus bundle over the circle. Furthermore, there exist infinitely many hyperbolic 3-manifolds that do not support dynamically coherent partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms; this list includes the Weeks manifold. If f is a strong partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism on a closed 3-manifold M and if $\pi_1(M)$ is nilpotent, then the lifts of the stable and unstable foliations are quasi-isometric in the universal of M. It then follows that f is dynamically coherent. We also provide a sufficient condition for dynamical coherence in any dimension. If f is center bunched and if the center-stable and center-unstable distributions are Lipschitz, then the partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism f must be dynamically coherent.Comment: 21 page

Monotone periodic orbits for torus homeomorphisms

Let f be a homeomorphism of the torus isotopic to the identity and suppose that there exists a periodic orbit with a non-zero rotation vector (p/q,r/q), then f has a topologically monotone periodic orbit with the same rotation vector.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figur