The metric geometry of mapping class groups

The metric geometry of mapping class groups

Wed, 24/10/2012
16:00 		David Hume Junior Geometric Group Theory Seminar Add to calendar L2
The metric geometry of mapping class groups
We give a brief overview of hyperbolic metric spaces and the relatively hyperbolic counterparts, with particular emphasis on the quasi-isometry class of trees. We then show that an understanding of the relative version of such spaces - quasi tree-graded spaces -  has strong consequences for mapping class groups. In particular, they are shown to embed into a finite product of (possibly infinite valence) simplicial trees. This uses and extends the work of Bestvina, Bromberg and Fujiwara.