Linearity problem for non-abelian tensor products

Abstract

In this paper we give an example of a linear group such that its tensor square is not linear. Also, we formulate some sufficient conditions for the linearity of non-abelian tensor products $G \otimes H$ and tensor squares $G \otimes G$. Using these results we prove that tensor squares of some groups with one relation and some knot groups are linear. We prove that the Peiffer square of finitely generated linear groups is linear. At the end we construct faithful linear representations for the non-abelian tensor square of free group and free nilpotent group.