Taut branched surfaces from veering triangulations

Abstract

Let $M$ be a closed hyperbolic 3-manifold with a fibered face $σ$ of the unit ball of the Thurston norm on $H_2(M)$. If $M$ satisfies a certain condition related to Agol's veering triangulations, we construct a taut branched surface in $M$ spanning $σ$. This partially answers a 1985 question of Oertel, and extends an earlier partial answer due to Mosher.

25 pages, 8 figures. Revised after receiving feedback from the referee and others; to appear in Algebraic and Geometric Topology