Random subcomplexes of finite buildings, and fibering of commutator subgroups of right-angled Coxeter groups

Abstract

The main theme of this paper is higher virtual algebraic fibering properties of right-angled Coxeter groups (RACGs), with a special focus on those whose defining flag complex is a finite building. We prove for particular classes of finite buildings that their random induced subcomplexes have a number of strong properties, most prominently that they are highly connected. From this we are able to deduce that the commutator subgroup of a RACG, with defining flag complex a finite building of a certain type, admits an epimorphism to $\mathbb{Z}$ whose kernel has strong topological finiteness properties. We additionally use our techniques to present examples where the kernel is of type ${\text{F}}_2$ but not ${\text{FP}}_3$, and examples where the RACG is hyperbolic and the kernel is finitely generated and non-hyperbolic. The key tool we use is a generalization of an approach due to Jankiewicz-Norin-Wise involving Bestvina-Brady discrete Morse theory applied to the Davis complex of a RACG, together with some probabilistic arguments.

arXiv comment32 pages. v2: accepted version, to appear in Journal of Topology