Whitehead Graphs and the Σ1-Invariants of Infinite Groups
Let G be a finitely generated group. The Bieri–Neumann–Strebel invariant Σ1(G) of G determines, among other things, the distribution of finitely generated subgroups N◃G with G/N abelian. This invariant can be quite difficult to compute. Given a finite presentation 〈S:R〉 for G, there is an algorithm, introduced by Brown and extended by Bieri and Strebel, which determines a space Σ(R) that is always contained in, and is sometimes equal to, Σ1(G). We refine this algorithm to one which involves the local structure of the universal cover of the standard 2-complex of a given presentation. Let Ψ(R) denote the space determined by this algorithm. We show that Σ(R) ⊆ Ψ ⊆ Σ1(G) for any finitely presented group G, and if G admits a staggered presentation, then Ψ = Σ1(G). By casting this algorithm in terms of connectivity properties of graphs, it is shown to be computationally feasible.