The Euler characteristic of Out($F_n$)

Abstract

We prove that the rational Euler characteristic of Out($F_n$) is always negative and its asymptotic growth rate is $\Gamma (n-\frac{3}{2})/\sqrt{2\pi}\log^2n$. This settles a 1987 conjecture of J. Smillie and the second author. We establish connections with the Lambert $W$-function and the zeta function.