Residually Finite Tubular Groups

Abstract

A tubular group $G$ is a finite graph of groups with ${\mathbb{Z}}^2$ vertex groups and $\mathbb{Z}$ edge groups. We characterize residually finite tubular groups: $G$ is residually finite if and only if its edge groups are separable. Methods are provided to determine if $G$ is residually finite. When $G$ has a single vertex group an algorithm is given to determine residual finiteness.

16 pages