Outer actions of Out(Fn)\mathrm{Out}(F_n) on small right-angled Artin groups

We determine the precise conditions under which $\mathrm{SOut}(F_n)$, the unique index two subgroup of $\mathrm{Out}(F_n)$, can act non-trivially via outer automorphisms on a RAAG whose defining graph has fewer than $\frac 1 2 \binom n 2$ vertices. We also show that the outer automorphism group of a RAAG cannot act faithfully via outer automorphisms on a RAAG with a strictly smaller (in number of vertices) defining graph. Along the way we determine the minimal dimensions of non-trivial linear representations of congruence quotients of the integral special linear groups over algebraically closed fields of characteristic zero, and provide a new lower bound on the cardinality of a set on which $\mathrm{SOut}(F_n)$ can act non-trivially.Comment: 16 pages v.2 Minor changes. Final versio

Low dimensional free and linear representations of Out(F3)\mathrm{Out}(F_3)

We study homomorphisms from $\mathrm{Out}(F_3)$ to $\mathrm{Out}(F_5)$, and $\mathrm{GL}(m,K)$ for $m < 7$, where $K$ is a field of characteristic other than 2 or 3. We conclude that all $K$-linear representations of dimension at most 6 of $\mathrm{Out}(F_3)$ factor through $\mathrm{GL}(3,Z)$, and that all homomorphisms from $\mathrm{Out}(F_3)$ to $\mathrm{Out}(F_5)$ have finite image.Comment: Final versio

Nielsen Realisation by Gluing: Limit Groups and Free Products

We generalise the Karrass-Pietrowski-Solitar and the Nielsen realisation theorems from the setting of free groups to that of free products. As a result, we obtain a fixed point theorem for finite groups of outer automorphisms acting on the relative free splitting complex of Handel--Mosher and on the outer space of a free product of Guirardel--Levitt, as well as a relative version of the Nielsen realisation theorem, which in the case of free groups answers a question of Karen Vogtmann. We also prove Nielsen realisation for limit groups, and as a byproduct obtain a new proof that limit groups are CAT($0$). The proofs rely on a new version of Stallings' theorem on groups with at least two ends, in which some control over the behaviour of virtual free factors is gained.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figur

The 6-strand braid group is CAT(0)

We show that braid groups with at most 6 strands are CAT(0) using the close connection between these groups, the associated non-crossing partition complexes and the embeddability of their diagonal links into spherical buildings of type A. Furthermore, we prove that the orthoscheme complex of any bounded graded modular complemented lattice is CAT(0), giving a partial answer to a conjecture of Brady and McCammond.Comment: 27 pages, 13 figures. To appear in Geometriae Dedicata, the final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10711-015-0138-