$L^2$-torsion of automorphisms

Abstract

We develop the theory of $L^2$-torsion of an automorphism of a group and compute it for every automorphism of a group which is hyperbolic and one-ended relative to a finite collection of virtually polycyclic groups. We also prove a combination formula for the $L^2$-torsion of a group in terms of the $L^2$-torsion of its stabilisers of a sufficiently nice action on a contractible space. We apply it to compute the $L^2$-torsion of a selection of CAT(0) lattices, of many relatively hyperbolic groups and their automorphisms, of higher dimensional graph manifolds, and of handlebody groups.