4
$\begingroup$

Let $X$ be a condensed set, and let $G$ be a (discrete) group. Suppose we have an action $G$ on $X$, which is a group morphism $a:G \rightarrow \mathrm{Aut}(X)$, where $\mathrm{Aut}(X)$ is the group of condensed isomorphisms. In this case, what would be an appropriate definition of the orbit space of $a$?

We may proceed as follows: For each profinite set $S$, we get an action $a_S: G \rightarrow \mathrm{Aut}(X(S))$, where $g \mapsto a(g)_S$, so we can define X/G as \begin{align*} (X/G)(S) = X(S)/G. \end{align*} Where $X(S)/G$ is the orbit space of $a_S$. This defines a presheaf on the category of profinite sets, but I think it might not be a condensed set without additional hypotheses.

$\textbf{Question 0:}$ Is $X/G$ a condensed set? (It is not, see Edit.)

$\textbf{Question 1:}$ If we have additional hypotheses, can we turn $X/G$ into a condensed set?

$\textbf{Question 2: (Main Question)}$ Is $X/G$ the appropriate definition of the orbit space of a condensed set?

$\textit{Edit:}$ I have just checked that even in very good cases, this definition of orbit space is not a condensed set. To see that, take $S^1 = \mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}$, $\alpha$ an irrational real number, and for each $n \in \mathbb{Z}$ and each profinite set $S$, we have \begin{align*} n: C(S, S^1) &\longrightarrow C(S, S^1) \\ f &\longmapsto f + n \alpha \end{align*} This defines an action in the condensed setting. Let $Y = S^1/\mathbb{Z}$. It is not true that $Y(S \sqcup T) = Y(S) \times Y(T)$. To see this, start with a map $f: S \sqcup T \rightarrow S^1$ and define $g(s) = f(s) + n\alpha$ for $s \in S$ and $g(t) = f(t) + m\alpha$ for $t \in T$ with $n \neq m$. This way, $f \neq g$ in $Y(S \sqcup T)$ but the map $\phi: Y(S \sqcup T) \rightarrow Y(S) \times Y(T)$ sends $f$ and $g$ to the same element. Thus, $\phi$ is not bijective, concluding the claim.

$\endgroup$
2
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Also an important question: when you sheafify, will that be a categorical quotient in the category of condensed sets? $\endgroup$
    – user473423
    Commented Mar 26, 2023 at 6:34
  • $\begingroup$ @Echo, thanks for your comment! I wasn't familiar with the definition of categorical quotient. I was looking for a definition like this! $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 26, 2023 at 13:53

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

The answer is no (in general) for question 0 and no for question 2. In the edit of the question I have explained why $S \mapsto X(S)/G$ is not a condensed set in general.

In the following sense, the right generalization of the orbit space seems to be the categorical quotient (thanks to Echo's comment, I got to know this definition), and the categorical quotient of an action of $G$ on $X$ is the sheafification of $Y:S \mapsto X(S)/G$.

To see this, let's start by denoting $Y^+$ as the sheafification of $Y$. Let $\pi: X \rightarrow Y$ and $i: Y \rightarrow Y^+$ be the projection and the canonical morphism, respectively. For every $g \in G$, it is immediate that \begin{align*} i \circ \pi \circ g = i \circ \pi \end{align*} Now, let $Z$ be a condensed set with a map $q:X \rightarrow Z$, such that for each $g \in G$, we have \begin{align*} q \circ g = q \end{align*} Then, for each profinite set $S$, we have $q_S \circ g = q_S$. We define \begin{align*} \phi_S: Y(S) = X(S)/G &\longrightarrow Z(S) \\ \overline{x} &\longmapsto q_S (x) \end{align*} It is easy to check that $\phi_S$ is well-defined and that it defines a natural transformation $\phi:Y \rightarrow Z$. Also, note that $\phi$ is the only option to commute this diagram. Therefore, by the universal property of the sheafification, there is a unique map $Y^+ \rightarrow Z$ commuting the desired diagram.

$\endgroup$
5
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ If $G$ is a (topological or discrete) group acting on a space $X$, wouldn't the condensed orbit space be $S \mapsto C(S,G)\backslash C(S,X)$? $\endgroup$
    – Linus
    Commented Mar 29, 2023 at 14:03
  • $\begingroup$ Prof @Linus, thank you for your comment! What do you mean by $C(S, G) \ C(S,X)$? Do you mean that $C(S,G)$ acts on $C(S,X)$ in some way? I don't see how to do it. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 29, 2023 at 16:25
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Well, $C(S,G)$ is a group and it acts on $C(S,X)$ in a natural way: for $\gamma:S\to G$ and $\phi:S\to X$ put $(\gamma\cdot\phi)(s)=\gamma(s)\phi(s)$. $\endgroup$
    – Linus
    Commented Mar 30, 2023 at 5:10
  • $\begingroup$ Interesting! But I think it might be difficult to generalize it for condensed sets X that don’t come from topological spaces. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 30, 2023 at 16:42
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Prof @Linus, I thought about and in fact there is a way to generalize it for general condensed sets! It is a very nice way to define what a action of a condensed group in a condensed set is. Thank you very much! $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 30, 2023 at 20:06

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.