Braid groups and mapping class groups: The Birman–Hilden theory
Dan Margalit, Rebecca R. Winarski
Abstract
In the 1970s, Joan Birman and Hugh Hilden wrote several papers on the problem of relating the mapping class group of a surface to that of a covering space. Their results provide a bridge between the theories of mapping class groups and braid groups. We survey the work of Birman and Hilden, give an overview of the subsequent developments, and discuss open questions and new directions.
Topics & Concepts
Braid groupMathematicsClass (philosophy)Braid theoryBraidMapping class groupGroup (periodic table)Algebra over a fieldPure mathematicsGeometryArtificial intelligenceSurface (topology)Computer scienceGeographyChemistryArchaeologyOrganic chemistryGeometric and Algebraic TopologyFinite Group Theory ResearchAdvanced Operator Algebra Research