A note on minimal finite quotients of mapping class groups

Abstract

We prove that the minimal nontrivial finite quotient group of the mapping class group M_g of a closed orientable surface of genus g is the symplectic group PSp(2g,Z_2), for g = 3 and 4 (this might remain true, however, for arbitrary genus g > 2). We discuss also some results for arbitrary genus g.

8 pages