Infinite simple characteristic quotients

Abstract: The rank of a finitely generated group is the minimal size of a generating set. Several questions that received a lot of attention around 50 years ago ask about the rank of finitely generated groups, and how this relates to the rank of their direct powers. In this context, Wiegold asked about the existence of infinite simple characteristic quotients of free groups. I will review this framework, present several open questions - old and new - and present a solution to Wiegold's problem.

This is joint with Remi Coulon.

algebraic topologydifferential geometrydynamical systemsgroup theorygeometric topologysymplectic geometry

Audience: researchers in the topic

( paper )

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Geometry and topology online

Series comments: You can also find up-to-date information on the seminar homepage - warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/research/events/seminars/areas/geomtop/

The talks start at 13:30. Talks are typically fifty minutes long, with ten minutes for questions.

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