Torsion characterization by stable torsion length

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Let Mod⁡g\operatorname{Mod}_g be the mapping class group of a closed orientable surface of genus gg. For f∈Mod⁡gf\in\operatorname{Mod}_g, let τg(f)\tau_g(f) be the minimum number of torsion elements whose product is ff, and define the stable torsion length by

∣∣f∣∣τg=lim⁡n→∞τg(fn)n.||f||_{\tau_g}=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\tau_g(f^n)}{n}.

Stable torsion length conjecture. If

∣∣f∣∣τg=0,||f||_{\tau_g}=0,

then ff is torsion. This is presented as a stronger version of the conjecture on Dehn twists. The source notes that torsion elements have stable torsion length zero, but gives no resolution of the converse.

References

Primary source

Mustafa Korkmaz, “On a question of Brendle and Benson”, arXiv:math/0307146 (2003).

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