Spectral gap of scl in free products

Abstract

Let $G=*_\lambda G_\lambda$ be a free product of torsion-free groups, and let $g\in[G,G]$ be any element not conjugate into a $G_\lambda$. Then scl$_G(g)\ge1/2$. This generalizes, and gives a new proof of a theorem of Duncan-Howie.