6
$\begingroup$

If we consider the category of finite, pointed sets and declare cofibrations to be inclusions and weak equivalences to be bijections, we get a Waldhausen category whose $K$-theory spectrum is the sphere spectrum.

Given a pointed space $X$, is there a nice description (analogous to the one above) of a Waldhausen category whose $K$-theory spectrum is the suspension spectrum of $X$?

My first guess is something like finite, pointed sets equipped with a pointed map to $X$, but I don't really know enough about $K$-theory to prove that this guess is correct (if it even is....)

$\endgroup$
1
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ If I remember correctly, the description of suspension spectra in Segal's "Categories and Cohomology Theories" can be interpreted as the K-theory of a Waldhausen category (well, at least a Waldhausen infinity-category). $\endgroup$ Dec 1, 2013 at 3:33

1 Answer 1

5
$\begingroup$

(1) Given a simplicial monoid $G$ let $R^0(*, G)$ be the Waldhausen category of pointed finite free $G$-simplicial sets weakly equivalent to $(\coprod^k G)_+$, for varying $k\ge0$. This is the special case $n=0$ of the notation from sections 2.1 and 2.2 of Waldhausen's ''Algebraic $K$-theory of spaces''. He obtains a homotopy equivalence $$ |hR^0_k(*, G)| \simeq BH^0_k(G) = B(\Sigma_k \ltimes |G|^k) , $$ so by Segal's theorem $$ \Omega |h N_\bullet R^0(*, G)| \simeq Z \times colim_k |hR^0_k(*, G)|^+ $$ and the Barratt-Priddy-Quillen-Segal theorem $$ Z \times colim_k B(\Sigma_k \ltimes |G|^k)^+ \simeq Q(B|G|_+) $$ you know that the ``direct sum'' $K$-theory $\Omega |h N_\bullet R^0(*, G)|$ of $R^0(*, G)$ is a model for $Q(B|G|)_+)$. I think the natural map $$ |hN_\bullet R^0(*, G)| \to |hS_\bullet R^0(*, G)| $$ is an equivalence, since all cofibrations are split in this case, but I don't have a reference at hand.

For a space $X$, let $R^0(X)$ be the Waldhausen category of finite retractive spaces over $X$, homotopy equivalent to $X$ disjoint union finitely many points (or $0$-cells, if you like). If $X \simeq B|G|$, there is a homotopy equivalence $$ |hS_\bullet R^0(X)| \simeq |hS_\bullet R^0(*, G)| , $$ so $R^0(X)$ should do the trick for you, also if $X$ is not connected.

(2) For simplicial sets $X \colon [q] \mapsto X_q$ there is a different construction, in an unpublished preprint of Igusa-Waldhausen (my copy is from 1991), of a simplicial Waldhausen category $C_0(X)$ that in degree $q$ is given by a non-obvious Waldhausen category of finite sets over $X_q$. Their Corollary 1.5 is an equivalence $$ \Omega |iS_\bullet C_0(X)| \simeq Q(|X|_+) . $$

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.