Diffeomorphism groups of prime 3-manifolds

Abstract

Let $X$ be a compact orientable non-Haken 3-manifold modeled on the Thurston geometry $\text{Nil}$. We show that the diffeomorphism group $\text{Diff}(X)$ deformation retracts to the isometry group $\text{Isom}(X)$. Combining this with earlier work by many authors, this completes the determination the homotopy type of $\text{Diff}(X)$ for any compact, orientable, prime 3-manifold $X$.

14 pages, minor updates