Introduction to [lambda]-trees

The theory of o-trees has its origin in the work of Lyndon on length functions in groups. The first definition of an R -tree was given by Tits in 1977. The importance of o-trees was established by Morgan and Shalen, who showed how to compactify a generalisation of Teichmller space for a finitely generated group using R -trees. In that work they were led to define the idea of a o-tree, where o is an arbitrary ordered abelian group. Since then there has been much progress in understanding the structure of groups acting on R -trees, notably Rips'' theorem on free actions. There has also been some progress for certain other ordered abelian groups o, including some interesting connections with model theory. Introduction to o-Trees will prove to be useful for mathematicians and research students in algebra and topology. Contents: o-Trees and Their Construction; Isometries of o-Trees; Aspects of Group Actions on o-Trees; Free Actions; Rips'' Theorem. Readership: Mathematicians and research students in algebra and topology."