All Questions
Tagged with at.algebraic-topology fundamental-group
106 questions
3
votes
1
answer
169
views
Express fundamental group of $\mathcal H/\Gamma$ by $\Gamma$
Suppose $\mathcal H$ is the upper half plane, and $\Gamma$ is an arithmetic subgroup of $\operatorname{PSL}_2(\mathbb Z)$, I want to ask can we interpret the fundamental group of $\mathcal H/\Gamma$ ...
- 63.9k
4
votes
1
answer
297
views
Fundamental group of the smooth locus of a normal algebraic surface is a quotient of that of a Zariski open subset
Let $X$ be a normal algebraic surface (over $\mathbb{C}$) and $Y$ its smooth locus, i.e., the complement of the singularities of $X$. Suppose $Z\subset Y$ is a Zariski open subset of $X$. Then is it ...
- 8,803
51
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Fundamental group as topological group
Background
Let $(X,x)$ be a pointed topological space. Then the fundamental group $\pi_1(X,x)$ becomes a topological space: Endow the set of maps $S^1 \to X$ with the compact-open topology, endow the ...
- 35.5k
16
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Fundamental groups of surfaces
What are some properties that hold for the fundamental group of a surface and do not necessarily hold for the fundamental groups of manifolds of higher dimensions?
- 24.2k
3
votes
0
answers
94
views
References for variations of Seifert–van Kampen's theorem: HNN extensions and "sensible" intersections
A basic consequence of the Seifert–van Kampen theorem is the following.
Theorem: Consider a union of topological spaces $X$, $Y$ whose intersection $X\cap Y = Z$ is open connected and $\pi_1$-...
- 12.9k
66
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Is $\mathbb{R}^3 \setminus \mathbb{Q}^3$ simply connected?
Similarly is the complement of any countable set in $\mathbb R^3$ simply connected?
Reading around I found plenty of articles discussing the path connectedness $\mathbb R^2 \setminus \mathbb Q^2$ and ...
- 103
38
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the fewest number of points you must delete from $\mathbb{R}^3$ to make it not simply connected?
This question concerns a set-theoretic aspect that I found interesting in the recent question asked by user Nick R., namely, Is
$\mathbb{R}^3\setminus\mathbb{Q}^3$ simply connected? He had asked ...
- 12.9k
29
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Geometric interpretation of the lower central series for the fundamental group?
For any group $G$ we can form the lower central series of normal subgroups by taking $G_0 = G$, $G_1 = [G,G]$, $G_{i+1} = [G,G_i]$. We can check this gives a normal chain
$$G_0 \ge G_1 \ge ... \ge G_i ...
- 63.9k
34
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is every ''group-completion'' map an acyclic map?
I start with a longer discussion which will result in a precise version of the question. I am puzzled about an issue with the
Quillen plus construction. I have seen outstanding experts being confused ...
- 2,292
2
votes
0
answers
56
views
Fundamental group of cyclic branched cover of affine plane
Let $f\in \mathbb{C}[x,y]$ be an irreducible polynomial. Let $n>0$ be an integer such that the hypersurface $S:=\{ (x,y,z)\in \mathbb{C}^3|z^n=f(x,y) \}$ is a connected complex submanifold of $\...
- 615
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Question about the fundamental group of rational homology 3-spheres
By a rational homology 3-sphere, I mean a compact oriented manifold three-manifold $Y$ with $H_1(Y)$ finite. My question is whether there exists a reasonable classification of such manifolds such that ...
- 68.9k
3
votes
2
answers
425
views
A question on the manifold $ \{n\otimes n-m\otimes m:n,m\in S^2,(n,m)=0\} $
Consider a manifold $ N $ defined as follows
$$
N=\{n\otimes n-m\otimes m:n,m\in S^2,\quad(n,m)=0\}\subset M^{3\times 3},
$$
where $ S^2 $ denotes the two dimensional sphere, $ (\cdot,\cdot) $ ...
- 9,580
6
votes
1
answer
289
views
Relationship between the holonomy pseudogroup and holonomy homomorphism (foliation)
This question is surely a duplication of https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/4343635/relationship-between-the-holonomy-pseudogroup-and-holonomy-homomorphism-foliati , however, I got no replies. ...
- 166
2
votes
1
answer
287
views
How does hyperelliptic involution act on the standard generators of the fundamental group of surfaces of genus g with n punctures?
Let $S_{g,n}$ be the surface of genus $g$ with $n$ punctures. We know that $\pi_1(S_{g,n})$ admits a presentation:
$$\left\langle~ \alpha_1,\beta_1,\dots, \alpha_{g},\beta_{g},\gamma_{1},\dots,\gamma_{...
- 28.2k
1
vote
1
answer
279
views
Ways to prove that $n$-component Brunnian link is nontrivial
The attached image shows a way to construct an $n$-component Brunnian link for any $n\geq 3$. That is, this link is not trivial, but deleting any of its components makes the new link trivial. The ...
- 28.2k
1
vote
0
answers
182
views
Does this sequence stop?
Let $\{ X_i\}$ ($i=1,2,\ldots $) be a family finite CW-complexes such that $X_{i+1}$ is homotopy domintaed by $X_i$, i.e. there exists contionuos maps $g_i:X_i \to X_{i+1}$ and $f_i :X_{i+1} \to X_i$ ...
- 1,182
9
votes
2
answers
711
views
For which spaces $S^n$ ($n\geq 2$) is a universal covering space?
I know that $S^n$ $(n\geq 2)$ is a universal covering space for itself and $\mathbb{RP}^n$. But my question is, for which spaces (up to homotopy equivalence) is $S^n$ ($n\geq 2$) a universal covering ...
- 18.7k
9
votes
1
answer
235
views
Links and non-orientable surfaces
Let $\Sigma \subset \mathbb{R}^3$ be a compact embedded surface with boundary $\partial \Sigma$ and $i:\Sigma\setminus \partial\Sigma \to \mathbb{R}^3 \setminus \partial\Sigma$ the inclusion.
Is the ...
- 28.2k
0
votes
1
answer
207
views
Is $\pi_2 (X_i)$ a free $\mathbb{Z}\pi_1 (X_i)$-module for $i=1,2$?
Let $X_1$ be the suspension of $\mathbb{R}P^2$ and $X_2=\bigvee_{1\leq i\leq n} (\vee_{r_i} \mathbb{S}^i)$.
Is $\pi_2 (X_i)$ a projective (or a free) $\mathbb{Z}\pi_1 (X_i)$-module for $i=1,...
- 19.4k
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Motivation of the fundamental theorem of covering spaces
The fundamental theorem of covering spaces states that for a nice topological space $X$, there is an equivalence of categories between covering spaces over $X$ and left $\pi_1(X)$-sets. "...
- 7,005
0
votes
0
answers
339
views
Can someone explain this proof on aspherical manifolds?
I am trying to understand this proof that the fundamental group of an aspherical manifold is torsion free. The proof is lemma 4.1 from Aspherical manifolds at the Manifold Atlas Project. The proof is:
...
- 12.9k
11
votes
2
answers
287
views
Fundamental group under Gelfand duality
Gelfand duality states that the functor of continuous functions $C(-)$ from compact Hausdorff topological to commutative $C^*$-algebras is an equivalence of categories. In other words, all topological ...
- 21.6k
5
votes
0
answers
87
views
Fundamental groups and cellular walks
Suppose $M$ is a smooth manifold (compact if desired) with a cell structure or other nice stratification.
Call a path $\gamma : [0,1] \to M$ transverse to the stratification if there is a finite ...
- 720
3
votes
2
answers
509
views
Can the loops in the definition of the fundamental group be considered injective?
Let $\mathrm{С}$ be some class of topological spaces that includes at least all subspaces of $\mathbb{R}^n $. Further we are in the category $\mathrm{С}_{*}$ (the category of point spaces; all ...
- 12.9k
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Does the isomorphic of the fundamental groups imply the existence of a mapping inducing an isomorphism?
A pair of continuous mappings $f \colon X \to Y$ and $g \colon Y \to X$ is called $\pi_1$-equivalence if they induce mutually inverse isomorphisms of fundamental groups. Spaces are called $\pi_1$-...
- 6,962
27
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Why are we interested in the Fundamental Groupoid of a Space?
The classical version of the van Kampen theorem is concerned about the fundamental group of a based space. In fact, it says that the functor $\pi_1$ preserves certain types of pushouts in $Top_*$.
...
- 12.3k
4
votes
0
answers
131
views
Fundamental group of hyperbolic 2-orbifold
Suppose $\Gamma$ is a cocompact lattice of $PSL_2(\mathbb{R})$. Then $\mathbb{H}^2/\Gamma$ has a natural structure of orbifold. My questions are:
What is $\pi_1(\mathbb{H}^2/\Gamma)$?
What is $\pi_1^{...
- 563
7
votes
2
answers
566
views
Fundamental group of the space of smooth embeddings of $S^1$ into $\mathbb R^3$
Has the fundamental group of the space of smooth embeddings of $S^1$ into $\mathbb R^3$ been completely computed? Say the basepoint is an unknot. Maybe something is known for other components?
If yes,...
- 44.4k
3
votes
0
answers
58
views
What's the Milnor's link group for the trivial knot in a lens space?
For a link $L$ in a 3-manifold $Y$, Milnor's paper "Link Groups" https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF01393902.pdf defined the link group as some quotient of $\pi_1(Y-L)$. If $L$ ...
- 673
4
votes
1
answer
387
views
Surface bundles associated to a short exact sequence of groups
Suppose $S$ is a closed, connected, oriented surface of genus at least two and $G$ is any group. Suppose further that $\Gamma$ is any group that fits into the following short exact sequence:
$$ 1 \to \...
- 146
3
votes
1
answer
311
views
Fundamental group of twisted loop space
I'm interested in computing the fundamental group of the twisted loop space $$\Omega_f(M)=\{ \gamma \in C^{\infty}(\Bbb R,M) \mid \gamma(s+1)=f\gamma(s)\}$$
where $f \in \text{Aut}(M,x_0)$, for ...
- 35.9k
2
votes
1
answer
282
views
Lifting of a proper map in the cover is a proper map
Let $M$ be an orientable surface without boundary$($I am not assuming $M$ is compact, it can be non-compact$)$. Let $\Phi: M\to M$ be a proper homotopy-equivalnce$($A proper homotopy-equivalence can ...
- 28.8k
3
votes
0
answers
226
views
Is the category of covering spaces always a topos?
It is well knows that for a nice (locally path connected, semi-locally simply connected) topological spaces, the category of covering spaces over $X$ is equivalent to the functor category $\left[\Pi_1\...
- 438
5
votes
1
answer
417
views
triviality of homology with local coefficients
Let $X$ be a manifold or a CW-complex.
Let
$\pi: \tilde X\longrightarrow X$
be a covering map.
Let $\pi_1(X)$ be the fundamental group of $X$ and let $\rho: \pi_1(X)\longrightarrow O(n)$ be an ...
- 12.3k
2
votes
1
answer
275
views
can the actions of fundamental groups annihilate homology?
Let $X$ be a path-connected manifold (or a CW complex).
Let $\pi_1(X)$ be the fundamental group of $X$.
Let $\pi: \tilde X\longrightarrow X$ be a covering map.
For each $m\geq 0$, let $C_m(\tilde X)$ ...
- 1,990
1
vote
0
answers
60
views
Restricted wreath product as fundamental group of a space with coinciding Reidemeister and Nielsen numbers
I am studying a group $\mathbb{Z}_n \wr \mathbb{Z}^k$, where $\wr$ denotes the restricted wreath product:
$$
\mathbb{Z}_n \wr \mathbb{Z}^k = \bigoplus_{x\in\mathbb{Z}^k}(\mathbb{Z_n})_x\rtimes\mathbb{...
- 137
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Action of fundamental group on homotopy fiber
For a Serre fibration of pointed topological spaces $f:X \to B$, there is an action of $\pi_1\left(B,b_0\right)$ on the fiber $F$. The construction of this action I'm familiar with uses a lift $F\...
- 5,770
2
votes
1
answer
275
views
Čech cocycles and monodromy
It is well known that over a topological space $X$ (and choosing an open cover $\mathfrak{U}$) every locally constant Cech cocycle $g$ on $\mathfrak{U}$ with coefficients in a group $G$ yields a $G$-...
- 37.8k
12
votes
1
answer
832
views
Space with semi-locally simply connected open subsets
A topological space $X$ is semi-locally simply connected if, for any $x\in X$, there exists an open neighbourhood $U$ of $x$ such that any loop in $U$ is homotopically equivalent to a constant one in $...
- 1,228
4
votes
0
answers
397
views
Contractibility and orientation double cover
Question. Let $M$ be a triangulated non-orientable 3-manifold with non-orientable boundary. (It is possible to assume that the boundary is the Klein bottle.) Let $\ell$ be a non-orientable loop on the ...
- 976
5
votes
3
answers
401
views
Generalize $H^1_{dR}(X)=\mathrm{Hom} (\pi_1(X),\mathbb R)$ to fundamental Groupoid
Let $X$ be a path-connected smooth manifold, it is known that: $$H^1(X):=H^1_{dR}(X)=\mathrm{Hom} (\pi_1(X),\mathbb R).$$ Explicitly, a closed one-form $\alpha$ gives a function on $\pi_1(X)$ by $[\...
- 1,198
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Fundamental group of punctured simply connected subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$
(This question is originally from Math.SE where it was suggested that I ask the question here)
Let $S$ be a simply connected subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$ and let $x$ be an interior point of $S$, meaning ...
- 17.1k
5
votes
2
answers
581
views
Can we define fundamental groups functorially for non-pointed path connected topological spaces?
Let $\text{ppTop}$ denote the category of pointed and path connected topological spaces with morphisms base-preserve continuous maps. The fundamental group gives a functor $FG: \text{ppTop}\to \text{...
- 1,033
23
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Does anyone know a basepoint-free construction of universal covers?
Let $X$ be a real manifold (for simplicity). The standard construction of the universal cover $\varphi: \widetilde{X} \longrightarrow X$ involves fixing a basepoint $p \in X$ and considering homotopy ...
- 18.9k
7
votes
1
answer
490
views
Categorical Significance of Fibrations
It is well known that the category $\text{Set}$ classifies covering spaces among $1$-categories. That is, for each topological space $X$, there is an equivalence of categories $[ \Pi (X) , \text{Set}]...
- 66.8k
1
vote
0
answers
127
views
Fundamental groups of open algebraic varieties [closed]
Let X be an algebraic variety over $\mathbb C$.
1. Is it possible to compute its fundamental group?
2. If X is two dimensional, what is its fundamental group?
3. Let $X\to \bar X$ be the inclusion to ...
- 169
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
The (topological) fundamental group of (quasi)-projective algebraic varieties
I would like to know:
What does the fundamental group of a quasi-projective algebraic variety look like?
I remember that I have seen somewhere that for a connected, finite-type CW-complex $X$, ...
- 8,529
5
votes
2
answers
457
views
Finite etale covers of products of curves
Probably this question can be phrased in a much greater generality, but I will just state it in the generality I require. I work over $\mathbb{C}$.
Let $C_1, C_2 \subset \mathbb{P}^1$ be non-empty ...
- 16.2k
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Fundamental group of a compact manifold
Why is the fundamental group of a compact manifold finitely presented?
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Fundamental group of a topological group
It is well known that the fundamental group of a path-connected topological group is abelian. Suppose that $G$ is a connected topological group and let $Ab(G)$ the abelianization of the topological ...
- 56.9k