(Non-)Recognizing Spaces for Stable Subgroups

Abstract

In this note, we consider the notion of what we call recognizing spaces for stable subgroups of a given group. When a group $G$ is a mapping class group or right-angled Artin group, it is known that a subgroup is stable exactly when the largest acylindrical action $G\curvearrowright X$ provides a quasi-isometric embedding of the subgroup into $X$ via the orbit map. In this sense the largest acylindrical action for mapping class groups and right-angled Artin groups provides a recognizing space for all stable subgroups. In contrast, we construct an acylindrically hyperbolic group (relatively hyperbolic, in fact) whose largest acylindrical action does not recognize all stable subgroups.

arXiv comment12 pages, 1 figure. To appear in Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society