# In a subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$ which is not simply connected does there exist a simple loop that does not contract to a point?

Given the broad scope of this question I propose this special case as an independent question:

In a path-connected subset of $$\mathbb{R}^2$$ which is not simply connected does there exist a simple loop that does not contract to a point?

• From Wikipedia ... In topology, a topological space is called simply connected (or 1-connected, or 1-simply connected[1]) if it is path-connected and every path between two points can be continuously transformed (intuitively for embedded spaces, staying within the space) into any other such path while preserving the two endpoints in question. SO ... the question is:if there a some closed path does not contract to a point, must there also be one that is simple? – Gerald Edgar Aug 10 at 12:49
• @GeraldEdgar Yes, as referenced in the question this is linked to: "In which topological spaces does the existence of a loop not contractable to a point imply there is a non-contractable simple loop also?" The specific mention of simply connected was to relate it directly to a key topological property and to emphasise the utility of this in proving that a space is not simply connected or just to make more concrete the intuitive view of a simply connected space as one without any holes. – Ivan Meir Aug 10 at 12:54

Proof Sketch. Suppose $$X$$ is a one-dimensional metric space. If $$X$$ contains a simple closed curve, then any loop parameterizing that curve cannot be null-homotopic. A rigorous argument for this requires the shape injectivity of one-dimensional spaces. On the other hand, if $$X$$ contains no simple closed curves, then the image of any loop in $$X$$ is a dendrite, which is contractible. Thus either $$X$$ contains a non-contractible simple closed curve or is simply connected.
Proof Sketch. Suppose $$X\subseteq \mathbb{R}^2$$ is path connected and $$\alpha:S^1\to X$$ is not null-homotopic. Let $$Y=\alpha(S^1)\cup\bigcup\{U\mid U\text{ is a bounded path component of }\mathbb{R}^2\backslash \alpha(S^1)\text{ with }U\subseteq X\}$$. Fischer and Zastrow show $$Y$$ is a Peano continuum homotopy equivalent to a “Sierpinski-like” space, i.e. a copy of the Sierpinski Carpet with some, possibly empty, set of (originally deleted) squares filled back in. Since all we want to do is find some simple closed curve that doesn’t contract, pick any bounded path component $$C$$ of $$\mathbb{R}^2\backslash Y$$ and a point $$z\in C\backslash X$$. While $$C$$ is homeomorphic to an open disk, its boundary need not be a simple closed curve. However, you basically have a planar Peano continuum $$Y$$ surrounding a “hole” at $$z$$. Since $$Y\subseteq X$$ and $$z\notin X$$, any simple closed curve in $$Y$$ with winding number $$1$$ around $$z$$ will do the trick. If you want to create one explicitly, use some planar geometry to cover $$Y$$ with enough arc-wise connected open (in $$Y$$) sets to create a finite loop of neighborhoods in $$Y$$ with winding number $$1$$ around $$z$$ and build your curve piece-wise. This simple closed curve can't contract in $$X$$ since then it would contract in $$\mathbb{R}^2\backslash \{z\}$$, which clearly is impossible.