Fixed point free homeomorphisms and the $R_{\infty }$-property

Abstract

Let $f:M\to M$ be a diffeomorphism on a compact connected smooth manifold of dimension at least $5$. It is known that the Nielsen number $N(f)$ of $f$ vanishes if and only if $f$ is isotopic to a fixed point free map. For any $n\ge 5$, there exists a compact $n$-dimensional nilmanifold $M$ such that {\it every} self homeomorphism on $M$ is isotopic to a fixed point free map. The proof depends on the fact that nilmanifolds are of {\it Jiang-type} and the fundamental group $\ddot{I}{€}_1(M)$ has the property $R_{\infty }$ for certain nilmanifolds $M$. In this paper we construct the first known examples (an infinite family) of non-aspherical closed manifolds whose fundamental groups have property $R_{\infty }$ and that are also of Jiang-type. In particular, every self homeomorphism on such a manifold is isotopic to be fixed point free. The main objective of this work is to construct non-aspherical manifolds whose fundamental groups have property $R_{\infty }$ and that are also of Jiang-type.

21 pages