The Nielsen-Thurston Classification
The Nielsen-Thurston Classification
This chapter explains and proves the Nielsen–Thurston classification of elements of Mod(S), one of the central theorems in the study of mapping class groups. It first considers the classification of elements for the torus of Mod(T² before discussing higher-genus analogues for each of the three types of elements of Mod(T². It then states the Nielsen–Thurston classification theorem in various forms, as well as a connection to 3-manifold theory, along with Thurston's geometric classification of mapping torus. The rest of the chapter is devoted to Bers' proof of the Nielsen–Thurston classification. The collar lemma is highlighted as a new ingredient, as it is also a fundamental result in the hyperbolic geometry of surfaces.
Keywords: mapping class group, Nielsen–Thurston classification, torus, 3-manifold theory, geometric classification, mapping torus, collar lemma, hyperbolic geometry, surface
Princeton Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
Please, subscribe or login to access full text content.
If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.
To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs , and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us.
