Relative trisection maps on 4-manifolds

Abstract

We show that for an arbitrary compact orientable smooth $4$--dimensional manifold $M$ with a given open book structure on the boundary $\partial M \neq \emptyset$, which may be disconnected, there exists a generic smooth map of $M$ onto the $2$--disk which gives a relative trisection on $M$ consistent with the given open book structure on $\partial M$. This gives a new proof to the existence of a relative trisection on $M$. In fact, it turns out that every relative trisection can be obtained in this way. As a byproduct, we also show that $M$ always admits a decomposition into a PALF (positive allowable Lefschetz fibration) over the $2$--disk $D^2$ and a fiber bundle over the circle with a sutured compression body fiber, consistent with the given open book structure on $\partial M$ and with the surface bundle structure of the PALF over $\partial D^2$.