Vertex separators, chordality and virtually free groups

Abstract

In this paper we consider some results obtained for graphs using minimal vertex separators and generalized chordality and translate them to the context of Geometric Group Theory. Using these new tools, we are able to give two new characterizations for a group to be virtually free. Furthermore, we prove that the Baumslag-Solitar group $BS(1,n)$ is $k$-chordal for some $k$ if and only if $|n|<3$ and we give an application of generalized chordality to the study of the word problem.