A finite generating set for the level 2 mapping class group of a nonorientable surface

TL;DR

This paper identifies a finite generating set for the level 2 mapping class group of closed nonorientable surfaces of genus at least 3, using isotopy classes of crosscap slides.

Contribution

It provides the first finite generating set for this specific group, expanding understanding of mapping class groups of nonorientable surfaces.

Findings

Finite generating set for the level 2 mapping class group established

Generators are isotopy classes of Lickorish's Y-homeomorphisms (crosscap slides)

Applicable to nonorientable surfaces of genus g ≥ 3

Abstract

We obtain a finite set of generators for the level 2 mapping class group of a closed nonorientable surface of genus $g\ge 3$. This set consists of isotopy classes of Lickorish's Y-homeomorphisms also called crosscap slides.