The interval conjecture for stable commutator length in a rank-two free group

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Let F2F_2 be the free group of rank 22, and let B1H(F2)B_1^H(F_2) denote the space of real homologically trivial 11-boundaries in F2F_2. An integral chain is an integral element of this space. The stable commutator length of such a chain is denoted by scl⁡\operatorname{scl}.

Interval conjecture. The set of values

{scl⁡(Γ):Γ is an integral chain in B1H(F2)}\{\operatorname{scl}(\Gamma):\Gamma\text{ is an integral chain in }B_1^H(F_2)\}

contains every rational number in the interval [3/4,1][3/4,1].

The conjecture is motivated by a histogram of stable commutator lengths obtained from 7500 random realizations associated to a four-punctured sphere. It predicts that all rational values in the indicated interval occur, but the supplied text gives no resolution.

References

Primary source

Danny Calegari and Alden Walker, “Isometric endomorphisms of free groups”, arXiv:1101.4055 (2011).

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