The monomorphism problem in free groups

Abstract

Let $F$ be a free group of finite rank. We say that the monomorphism problem in $F$ is decidable if for any two elements $u$ and $v$ in $F$, there is an algorithm that determines whether there exists a monomorphism of $F$ that sends $u$ to $v$. In this paper we show that the monomorphism problem is decidable and we provide an effective algorithm that solves the problem.