Surface subgroups of Baumslag doubles along short words

Abstract

If $U$ is a minimal, diskbusting, finite list of words in a free group $F_n$ of rank $n$ such that the sum of the lengths of words in $U$ is at most $2n+4$, we prove that the natural presentation complex of the Baumslag double of $F_n$ along $U$ virtually contains a ${\pi }_1$-injective embedded closed hyperbolic surface. This verifies the Tiling Conjecture of Kim and Wilton for this type of lists of words, and in particular, implies that the corresponding Baumslag double contains a hyperbolic surface subgroup.

22 pages, 8 figures