Is there a way to find a homeomorphism of the torus using a 2x2 integer matrix?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of finding a homeomorphism of the 2-torus using a 2x2 integer matrix, specifically focusing on the relationship between such matrices and the induced maps on the first homology group of the torus. The scope includes theoretical considerations, mathematical reasoning, and exploration of related topological concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that for each 2x2 integer matrix with determinant +/-1, there exists a homeomorphism of the 2-torus such that the induced map on the first homology group corresponds to multiplication by this matrix.
  • Others question whether the homeomorphism is defined by the same matrix on the quotient space C/Z^2.
  • One participant notes that there is an isomorphism from the mapping class group of the torus to SL(2, Z), suggesting that this surjectivity supports their claim.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the mapping class group considers only orientation-preserving homeomorphisms, while also noting that including orientation-reversing homeomorphisms could account for determinant -1 matrices.
  • Some express confusion about why the induced map on homology isn't obviously given by the same matrix, arguing that it seems elementary based on the properties of integer matrices and the structure of the torus.
  • Participants discuss the implications of gluing solid tori and how this affects the resulting manifold's homology, with various hypotheses about the types of manifolds that can result from different gluing homeomorphisms.
  • One participant introduces the idea of using functoriality of π1 to show that every automorphism of the torus corresponds to an automorphism of Z(+)Z, suggesting a method to demonstrate that this functor is onto.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between integer matrices and homeomorphisms of the torus, with some asserting clear connections while others remain puzzled or skeptical. The discussion includes multiple competing perspectives on the implications of gluing solid tori and the resulting manifold structures, indicating that consensus has not been reached.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments depend on specific definitions and assumptions about the mapping class group and the nature of homeomorphisms. The discussion also touches on unresolved mathematical steps related to the properties of homology and the classification of resulting manifolds from gluing operations.

lavinia
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For each 2x2 integer matrix with determinant +/-1 is there a homeomorphism of the 2 torus so that the the induced map on the first homology group is multiplication by this matrix?
 
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why not? is it defined by the same matrix, on C/Z^2?
 
Yeah, there is a map from the mapping class group of the torus (the homeomorphism group mod isotopy) to SL(2, Z) that is an isomorphism. You map a guy in the mapping class group to the guy in SL(2, Z) that is the induced map on homology. The surjectivity of this map gives you what you want.

One way to see the surjectivity is that the guy in SL(2, Z) induces a homeomorphism on the universal cover, R^2 (or ℂ), that descends to a homeomorphism downstairs (the deck transformations are integers translations, which commute with the linear maps from SL(2,Z) up to integer translations). A guy (p,q) in the lattice upstairs, with p and q relatively prime corresponds to p, q in homology (homology is the same as the fundamental group, here). So, you can map (1,0) to any such vector upstairs, and map (0,1) to a complementary vector. So, you can get anybody in SL(2,Z) that way.

You can get injectivity from the fact that the torus is an Eilenberg-Maclane space.
 
Oh, I forgot about orientations. Mapping class group is the orientation-preserving homeos, only.

Also, what I said just works for the determinant 1 guys. I think if you include orientation-reversing homeos, you can get the determinant -1 guys. A reflection upstairs of the universal cover should induce a reflection of the torus.
 
i am still puzzled why it isn't obviously given by the same matrix. i.e. given an integer matrix with determinant one, it maps the integer lattice in R^2 isomorphically to itself. As a 2by 2 real matrix it aldo maps the plane R^2 isomorphically to itself, hence it maps the quotient space T = R^2/Z^2, namely the two torus, isomorphically and homeomorphically, onto itself.

Since H^1 of the quotient space R^2/Z^2 is the integer lattice Z^2 itself, the map on H^1(T,Z) is given by the original matrix.

isn't this obvious? or is it wrong for some reason? I.e. it seems very elementary and concrete.
 
homeomorphic said:
Yeah, there is a map from the mapping class group of the torus (the homeomorphism group mod isotopy) to SL(2, Z) that is an isomorphism. You map a guy in the mapping class group to the guy in SL(2, Z) that is the induced map on homology. The surjectivity of this map gives you what you want.

One way to see the surjectivity is that the guy in SL(2, Z) induces a homeomorphism on the universal cover, R^2 (or ℂ), that descends to a homeomorphism downstairs (the deck transformations are integers translations, which commute with the linear maps from SL(2,Z) up to integer translations). A guy (p,q) in the lattice upstairs, with p and q relatively prime corresponds to p, q in homology (homology is the same as the fundamental group, here). So, you can map (1,0) to any such vector upstairs, and map (0,1) to a complementary vector. So, you can get anybody in SL(2,Z) that way.

You can get injectivity from the fact that the torus is an Eilenberg-Maclane space.

Right. So just project the linear map down to the torus.

I was interested in this because I was wondering what closed three manifolds you could get by gluing two solid tori together. Since one of the first homology generators of the torus is null homologous in the solid torus, the resulting manifold's homology would be determined easily from the gluing homeomorphism and Van Kampen's Theorem(meyer vietoris sequence also).

A reversal of first homology generators would yield a simply connected manifold so it is a three sphere. The identity on homology would yield a manifold with first homology group the integers and which has an orientation reversing involution that covers two solid Klein bottles glued together.

The map which takes the null homologous generator to itself plus twice the non null homologous generator would yield a manifold with first homology equal to Z2 so I guess it must be projective space.

And then there are infinitely many others each with distinct homology.
 
Last edited:
i am still puzzled why it isn't obviously given by the same matrix. i.e. given an integer matrix with determinant one, it maps the integer lattice in R^2 isomorphically to itself. As a 2by 2 real matrix it aldo maps the plane R^2 isomorphically to itself, hence it maps the quotient space T = R^2/Z^2, namely the two torus, isomorphically and homeomorphically, onto itself.

Since H^1 of the quotient space R^2/Z^2 is the integer lattice Z^2 itself, the map on H^1(T,Z) is given by the original matrix.

isn't this obvious? or is it wrong for some reason? I.e. it seems very elementary and concrete.

Yeah, pretty much. You could change basis somewhere to make the matrices different, but that's kind of silly.

I was interested in this because I was wondering what closed three manifolds you could get by gluing two solid tori together. Since one of the first homology generators of the torus is null homologous in the solid torus, the resulting manifold's homology would be determined easily from the gluing homeomorphism and Van Kampen's Theorem(meyer vietoris sequence also).

Well, that's a genus one Heegard splitting. Those are known as three dimensional lens spaces, L(p,q), with p and q relatively prime, at least if you use orientation-preserving gluings. I forget why the different lens space definitions are equivalent. I think Hatcher explains it in his 3-manifold notes somewhere. Lens spaces can be classified using Reidemeister torsion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lens_space#Classification_of_3-dimensional_lens_spaces


A reversal of first homology generators would yield a simply connected manifold so it is a three sphere. The identity on homology would yield a manifold with first homology group the integers and which has an orientation reversing involution that covers two solid Klein bottles glued together.

I don't follow. The identity map should also give S^3.


The map which takes the null homologous generator to itself plus twice the non null homologous generator would yield a manifold with first homology equal to Z2 so I guess it must be projective space.

Yes, I think so.
 
homeomorphic said:
I don't follow. The identity map should also give S^3.

I was thinking that if the null homologous circle on one surface torus was identified with the not null homologous circle on the other - and visa versa, then the gluing would cancel all the first homology out and leave a simply connected manifold.
 
Here is another one that is a little different.

Divide the surface torus of a solid torus into two topological cylinders that share their two circles as a common boundary. Identify these circles with a half twist so that the boundary of this solid is now two intersecting Klein bottles.

take two of these solids and identify them along their Klein bottle boundaries to form a closed 3 manifold. What are the possible manifolds that result? I know that one of them is the Hanshe-Wendt manifold, a flat manifold that has zero first Betti number.
 
  • #10
Here is another approach:

By functoriality of π1 , every automorphism of the torus gives rise to

an automorphism ( isomorphism) of Z(+)Z to itself . Now, we need to show that

this functor is onto. We know that Aut(Z(+)Z) is SL(2,Z) .

We also have that SL(2,Z) has a generating set with three elements. These elements

are standard homeomorphisms from the torus to itself. Then, for any matrix in SL(2,Z),

find its expression in terms of these three generators, and you're done.
 

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