Geometric realisation over aspherical groups

Abstract

We prove that the direct sums of extensions of scalars of relation modules are geometrically realisable as the second homotopy group of a finite 2-complex. We use this to exhibit a finite 2-complex with fundamental group the $(10,15)$ torus knot group and non-free ${\pi }_2$, yielding exotic presentations of a group for which no such examples had previously been known. We conclude by constructing stably free non-free modules over an infinite family of Baumslag-Solitar groups; it remains to determine whether these modules are geometrically realisable by finite 2-complexes.

18 pages. Comments welcome