Asymptotic geometry of the mapping class group
by
Jason Behrstock
Columbia University

I will discuss some recent progress towards understanding the asymptotic geometry of mapping class groups. Using techniques involving the complex of curves, the first part of my talk will explain some properties of maps from the mapping class group to the curve complex of a subsurface X, which are closely related to the map taking a curve in S to its intersection with X. The second half will describe how the geometry of the mapping class group is encoded by these maps; here we will discuss the relationship between these "projection" maps and the topology of the asymptotic cone of the mapping class group. Time permitting, we will relate this to a discussion of Teichmuller space.

Date received: September 7, 2004