Group orderings, dynamics, and rigidity

Abstract: Let G be a countable group. We show there is a topological relationship between the space CO(G) of circular orders on G and the moduli space of actions of G on the circle; as well as an analogous relationship for spaces of left orders and actions on the line. In particular, we give a complete characterization of isolated left and circular orders in terms of strong rigidity of their induced actions of G on $S^1$ and R. As an application of our techniques, we give an explicit construction of infinitely many nonconjugate isolated points in the spaces CO(F_{2n}) of circular orders on free groups disproving a conjecture from Baik--Samperton, and infinitely many nonconjugate isolated points in the space of left orders on the pure braid group P_3, answering a question of Navas. We also give a detailed analysis of circular orders on free groups, characterizing isolated orders.