Locally finite graphs with ends: A topological approach, II. Applications

Abstract

This paper is the second of three parts of a comprehensive survey of a newly emerging field: a topological approach to the study of locally finite graphs that crucially incorporates their ends. Topological arcs and circles, which may pass through ends, assume the role played in finite graphs by paths and cycles. The first two parts of the survey together provide a suitable entry point to this field for new readers; they are available in combined form from the ArXiv [20]. They are complemented by a third part [31], which looks at the theory from an algebraic-topological point of view. The topological approach indicated above has made it possible to extend to locally finite graphs many classical theorems of finite graph theory that do not extend verbatim. This second part of the survey concentrates on these applications, many of which solve problems or extend earlier work of Thomassen on infinite graphs. Numerous new problems are suggested.