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 $\mathcal H/\Gamma$ ...
- 785
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 ...
- 335
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 $\pi_1$-...
- 1,033
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) $ ...
- 1,219
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 ...
- 1,182
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
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 ...
- 1,187
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_{...
- 79
119
votes
6
answers
10k
views
What properties make $[0,1]$ a good candidate for defining fundamental groups?
The title essentially says it all. Consider the category $\mathfrak{Top}_2$ of triples $(J,e_0,e_1)$ where $J$ is a topological space, and $e_i \in J$. There is an obvious generalization of the ...
- 5,759
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. "...
- 459
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
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 ...
- 214
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
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 ...
- 4,164
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 ...
- 63.1k
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 ...
- 443
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. ...
- 295
62
votes
9
answers
9k
views
Fundamental groups of noncompact surfaces
I got fantastic answers to my previous question (about modern references for the fact that surfaces can be triangulated), so I thought I'd ask a related question. A basic fact about surface topology ...
- 44.8k
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 ...
- 237k
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,...
- 71
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_*$.
...
- 609
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 ...
- 6,962
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?
- 311
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,...
- 1,182
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 \...
- 421
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
$$G_0 \ge G_1 \ge ... \ge G_i ...
- 573
17
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is there a relationship between a quotient group of the fundamental group of X and the fundamental group of a quotient topology of X?
Let ($X$, $x_0$) be a topological space with a base point, and denote the fundamental group of $X$ as $\pi_1(X)$. Let $N$ be a normal subgroup of $\pi_1(X)$.
Does there necessarily exist an ...
- 271
0
votes
0
answers
340
views
Can someone explain this proof on aspherical manifolds?
I am trying to understand this proof that the fundamental group of an aspherical manifold is torsion free. The proof is lemma 4.1 from Aspherical manifolds at the Manifold Atlas Project. The proof is:
...
- 29
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Action of fundamental group on homotopy fiber
For a Serre fibration of pointed topological spaces $f:X \to B$, there is an action of $\pi_1\left(B,b_0\right)$ on the fiber $F$. The construction of this action I'm familiar with uses a lift $F\...
- 834
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Fundamental group of punctured simply connected subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$
(This question is originally from Math.SE where it was suggested that I ask the question here)
Let $S$ be a simply connected subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$ and let $x$ be an interior point of $S$, meaning ...
- 2,889
11
votes
2
answers
287
views
Fundamental group under Gelfand duality
Gelfand duality states that the functor of continuous functions $C(-)$ from compact Hausdorff topological to commutative $C^*$-algebras is an equivalence of categories. In other words, all topological ...
- 21.6k
5
votes
0
answers
87
views
Fundamental groups and cellular walks
Suppose $M$ is a smooth manifold (compact if desired) with a cell structure or other nice stratification.
Call a path $\gamma : [0,1] \to M$ transverse to the stratification if there is a finite ...
- 720
3
votes
1
answer
311
views
Fundamental group of twisted loop space
I'm interested in computing the fundamental group of the twisted loop space $$\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 ...
- 503
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 ...
- 1,990
19
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can one compute the fundamental group of a complex variety? Other topological invariants? [duplicate]
Given a system of polynomial equations with rational coefficients, is there an algorithm to compute the geometric fundamental group of the variety defined by these equations? I'm interested in both ...
- 15.4k
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
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 ...
- 20.9k
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 $...
- 303
5
votes
2
answers
582
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{...
- 9,019
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 $[\...
- 2,789
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
28
votes
2
answers
6k
views
What group is $\langle a,b \,| \, a^2=b^2 \rangle$?
In teaching my algebraic topology class, this group showed up as part of an easy fundamental group computation: $\langle a,b\mid a^2=b^2\rangle$. My first instinct was that this must be $\mathbb{Z}*\...
- 5,544
16
votes
6
answers
6k
views
Fundamental group of the line with the double origin.
In the simplest cases, the fundamental group serves as a measure of the number of 2-dimensional "holes" in a space. It is interesting to know whether they capture the following type of "hole".
This ...
- 3,699
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 ...
- 265
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 ...
- 21.4k
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 ...
- 3,758
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 ...
- 451
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 $X$, ...
- 169
8
votes
2
answers
721
views
Galois categories for topological spaces?
Can the theory of Galois categories (as developed in SGA1) be modified to produce the usual fundamental group of a topological space (maybe assumed to be path connected and locally path connected)?
...
- 3,284
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