Finite images of braid group representations and algebraic solutions of KZ-type equations

Abstract

Finite monodromy provides a bridge between group representations and algebraic solutions of differential equations. We study this connection for the Katz-Long-Moody construction, which transforms representations of the semidirect product of a free group and a braid group into new representations of the same group and is related to Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov (KZ)-type equations. For a fixed finite-image input, we classify the parameter values for which the resulting representations have finite image, both on the semidirect product and on its free-group and braid-group subgroups. In particular, finiteness of the braid-group image is independent of the admissible parameter. These results give necessary and sufficient conditions for all solutions of the corresponding regular-singular KZ-type equations to be algebraic. On restriction to the free group, they also characterize finite monodromy and algebraicity of all solutions of the associated Fuchsian systems, connecting the classification to classical questions about algebraic hypergeometric functions.