A rank rigidity result for CAT(0) spaces with one-dimensional Tits boundaries

We prove the following rank rigidity result for proper {\operatorname{CAT}(0)} spaces with one-dimensional Tits boundaries: Let Γ be a group acting properly discontinuously, cocompactly, and by isometries on such a space X. If the Tits diameter of {\partial X} equals π and Γ does not act minimally on {\partial X}, then {\partial X} is a spherical building or a spherical join. If X is also geodesically complete, then X is a Euclidean building, higher rank symmetric space, or a nontrivial product. Much of the proof, which involves finding a Tits-closed convex building-like subset of {\partial X}, does not require the Tits diameter to be π, and we give an alternate condition that guarantees rigidity when this hypothesis is removed, which is that a certain invariant of the group action be even.

Wonderful compactifications of Bruhat-Tits buildings

Given a split semisimple group over a local field, we consider the maximal Satake-Berkovich compactification of the corresponding Euclidean building. We prove that it can be equivariantly identified with the compactification which we get by embedding the building in the Berkovich analytic space associated to the wonderful compactification of the group. The construction of this embedding map is achieved over a general non-archimedean complete ground field. The relationship between the structures at infinity, one coming from strata of the wonderful compactification and the other from Bruhat-Tits buildings, is also investigated.

A free subgroup in the image of the 4-strand Burau representation

It is known that the Burau representation of the 4-strand braid group is faithful if and only if certain matrices f and k generate a (non-abelian) free group. Regarding f and k as isometries of a Euclidean building, we show that f3 and k3 generate a free group. We give two proofs, one utilizing the metric geometry of the building, and the other using simplicial retractions.

Gelfand pairs and strong transitivity for Euclidean buildings

Let $G$ be a locally compact group acting properly, by type-preserving automorphisms on a locally finite thick Euclidean building $\Delta $, and $K$ be the stabilizer of a special vertex in $\Delta $. It is known that $(G, K)$ is a Gelfand pair as soon as $G$ acts strongly transitively on $\Delta $; in particular, this is the case when $G$ is a semi-simple algebraic group over a local field. We show a converse to this statement, namely that if $(G, K)$ is a Gelfand pair and $G$ acts cocompactly on $\Delta $, then the action is strongly transitive. The proof uses the existence of strongly regular hyperbolic elements in $G$ and their peculiar dynamics on the spherical building at infinity. Other equivalent formulations are also obtained, including the fact that $G$ is strongly transitive on $\Delta $ if and only if it is strongly transitive on the spherical building at infinity.

Centralizers in à 2 groups

Let Γ be a torsion-free discrete group acting cocompactly on a two dimensional euclidean building Δ. The centralizer of an element of Γ is either a Bieberbach group or is described by a finite graph of finite cyclic groups. Explicit examples are computed, with Δ of type