Almost-Bieberbach groups with (in)finite outer automorphism group

Abstract

AbstractIf we investigate symmetry of an infra-nilmanifoldM, the outer automorphism group of its fundamental group (an almost-Bieberbach group) is known to be a crucial object. In this paper, we characterise algebraically almost-Bieberbach groupsEwith finite outer automorphism group Out(E). Inspired by the description of Anosov diffeomorphisms onM, we also present an interesting class of infinite order outer automorphisms. Another possible type of infinite order outer automorphisms arises when comparing Out(E) with the outer automorphism group of the underlying crystallographic group ofE.