A new class of a-T-menable free-by-free groups

Abstract

We prove that a semi-direct product of two finite rank free groups $F_k$ and $F_n$ such that $F_k$ acts on $F_n$ by polynomially growing automorphisms acts properly isometrically on a finite dimensional CAT(0) cube complex provided some finite-index unipotent subgroup of $F_k$ satisfies two supplementary properties. In particular any such group is a-T-menable in the sense of Gromov (equivalently satisfies the Haagerup property).

27 pages, 6 figures