All Questions
9,056 questions
2
votes
1
answer
248
views
Wrapping a suitcase with large rotational symmetry
This is a follow-up question to Can I wrap a suitcase with hair ties.
Now we know that it is possible to wrap a suitcase with hair ties without tying them together,
but can you do it with large ...
- 45k
9
votes
2
answers
421
views
How do these definitions of factorization algebra compare?
Question
Several sources define (homotopy) factorization algebras in a seemingly
different manner (I am looking at [CG], [Gi], and
[CFM].) I wish to know how they compare with each other.
I apologize ...
- 2,292
2
votes
0
answers
80
views
An alternative definition for finitely generated (and principal) ideals in a semigroup
Let $S$ be a semigroup. An ideal (of $S$) is a subset $I$ of $S$ such that $SI$ and $IS$ are both contained in $I$. The non-empty ideals constitute a subsemigroup, $\mathfrak I(S)$, of the power ...
- 10.5k
25
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is there a ring stacky approach to $\ell$-adic or rigid cohomology?
Ever since Simpson's paper [Sim], it was observed that many different cohomology theories arise in the following way: we begin with our space $X$, we associate to it a stack $X_\text{stk}$ (which ...
- 721
6
votes
0
answers
122
views
Explicit representatives for Borel cohomology classes of a compact Lie group?
I'm looking for explicit representatives of $H^3_{Borel}(G, R/Z)$, i.e. a measurable function $G^3\to R/Z$ representing a generator of the cohomology group. (Here $G$ is a compact (perhaps simple) ...
- 12.8k
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Proving that a countable group is not finitely generated
I would like to learn about techniques for proving that a countable group is not finitely generated. I am also interested in learning about examples. Finally, I am particularly, but not exclusively, ...
- 121
0
votes
0
answers
146
views
Noether's formula for real algebraic surfaces
Is there a version of Noether's formula for the Euler characteristic of a surface for Real algebraic surfaces?
Specifically, given $X$ a real algebraic compact smooth surface, what is the relationship ...
2
votes
1
answer
235
views
Homotopy classes of homeomorphism vs. Homotopy classes of a biholomorphism
This is a more detailed question about my first question Representation theory and topology of Teichmüller space, I asked there how to understand:
$$T_{g}\hookrightarrow Hom(\pi_{1}({S}),PSL_{2}(\...
- 77
1
vote
0
answers
103
views
Is the mapping space from $\Delta[k]$ to a simplicial set $X$ weak equivalent to $X$?
Let $X$ be a simplicial set. It is well known that a model for the path object can be given by the mapping space $\mathrm{Hom}(\Delta[1], X)$. In particular this offers a fiber replacement for the ...
- 91
6
votes
1
answer
255
views
Does a complex-oriented $E_1$ ring spectrum (not assumed to have graded-commutative homotopy groups) receive a map from $MU$?
It's well-known that complex cobordism $MU^\ast$ is universal among complex-oriented associative, graded-commutative cohomology theories $E$. This means that if $E$ is a multiplicative cohomology ...
- 64k
5
votes
1
answer
328
views
Is the inclusion of the maximal torus in a simply connected compact Lie group null-homotopic?
Let $G$ be a simply connected compact Lie group and $T$ its maximal torus with inclusion $i:T \hookrightarrow G$.
By simply connectedness of the group $G$ and asphericity of the torus $T$, the induced ...
- 53
3
votes
1
answer
242
views
Applications of Thom's first isotopy lemma
Thom's first isotopy lemma says that given a smooth map $f:M\to P$ between smooth manifolds, and a closed Whitney stratified subset $S$ of $M$, such that
$f|_S:S\to P$ is proper and $f|_X:X\to P$ is a ...
- 585
10
votes
2
answers
858
views
Is cohomology with local coefficients a representable functor?
It is well known that the functor of cohomology is representable.
More precisely, given $n\ge1$ and abelian group $G$,
we have $H^n(X;G)\simeq[X,K(G,n)]$.
(Here we probably need some ``nice'' ...
- 1,095
2
votes
1
answer
242
views
Derived category of local systems of finite type on a $K(\pi,1)$ space: an explicit counterexample
Let $X$ be a nice enough topological space. I am mostly interested in smooth complex algebraic varieties. One may ask whether the bounded derived category of the category $\mathrm{Loc}(X)$ of local ...
- 1,071
3
votes
1
answer
134
views
Are the two families of Johnson invariants of the Torelli groups related beyond the first one?
$\newcommand{\sp}{\operatorname{Sp}(H)}$
$\newcommand{\gr}{\operatorname{gr}}$
$\newcommand{\id}{\operatorname{id}}$
$\newcommand{\der}{\operatorname{Der}}$
Johnson has defined two families $\tau_k,\...
- 8,524
8
votes
2
answers
583
views
Homotopic but not equivariantly homotopic maps
Let $G$ be a topological (or simplicial) group, let $X$ and $Y$ be $G$-spaces, and let $f,f':X\to Y$ be $G$-maps which are homotopic as maps of spaces. In general, $f$ and $f'$ may (of course) fail to ...
- 2,292
2
votes
0
answers
112
views
A cell complex constructed from singular knots
Let $\mathcal K_n$ be the set of all $n$-singular knots up to isotopy,i.e. an immersion of $S^1$ into $\mathbb R^3$ with $n$ transverse double points that is an embedding when restricted to the ...
- 141
1
vote
0
answers
61
views
Necessary or sufficient conditions for the $k$-fold intersection to be empty in a covering with a "tree structure"
Consider a finite collection of $d$-dimensional balls $\mathfrak{B}=\{B_1,\ldots,B_n\}$ which cover a PL $d$-manifold $M$, i.e. $M=\bigcup_{i=1}^{n}B_i$. Suppose we want to compute the Euler ...
- 159
3
votes
2
answers
283
views
Is the free algebra functor over an $\infty$-operad symmetric monoidal?
Suppose $F: \mathcal{O}^\otimes \to \mathcal{P}^\otimes$ is a map of $\infty$-operads, and $\mathcal{C}$ is a symmetric monoidal $\infty$-category that admits small colimits, such that the tensor ...
- 898
6
votes
1
answer
231
views
Weakly contractible $X$, but none of the maps $*\to X$ are cofibrations
Let $\mathrm{Top}$ be the category of all topological spaces and continuous maps. The Quillen model structure on $\mathrm{Top}$ has weak equvalences $W = \{ \text{weak homotopy equivalences} \}$, ...
- 331
4
votes
1
answer
273
views
Two $E_\infty$ structures on infinite matrices
Let $O$ be the infinite orthogonal group. By taking a colimit of the diagram of topological groups $O(1) \to O(2) \to O(3) \to \ldots$, we know $O$ has a continuous group operation given by matrix ...
- 41
2
votes
1
answer
390
views
Hypercover and hyper descent
I am trying to understand the descent condition using hypercovers. The condition says that a hyper cover of a scheme $X$ is a simplicial set $Y_{\bullet}$ that satisfies the condition $Y_n\rightarrow ...
- 23
27
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Why the sphere spectrum is more correct than $\mathbb{Z}$?
One may argue that $\mathbb{S}$ is more correct than $\mathbb{Z}$. Can anyone make it more explicitly? For example, what information will be lost if we work in $\mathbb{Z}$ instead of $\mathbb{S}$？
...
- 1,168
9
votes
2
answers
707
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
4
votes
1
answer
230
views
Pontryagin product on the homology of cyclic groups
Consider the cyclic group $C_{p^N}$ of order $p^N$, and let $k$ be a field of characteristic $p$. I would like to know what the algebra structure on the homology $H_*(C_{p^N};k)$ induced by the ...
- 103
4
votes
2
answers
668
views
Determine monodromy representation from local system
Let $X$ be a path-connected manifold nice enough such it's universal covering
space $p:\widetilde{X} \to X$ exists, $k$ a field. Then there exist a wellknown
correspondence
$$
\{\textit{linear}\text{ ...
- 619
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Computation on characteristic classes
I am organizing a reading seminar on characteristic classes. The audience in the seminar is interested in symplectic and contact manifolds. I work in categorification and would like to compute some ...
- 341
4
votes
0
answers
206
views
Reference for a folklore theorem about h-cobordisms
I've seen referenced here that if $M$ and $N$ are closed topological $n$-manifolds and $f: \mathbb{R}\times M \to \mathbb{R}\times N$ is a homeomorphism, then $M$ and $N$ are h-cobordant.
I know that ...
- 41
6
votes
1
answer
173
views
References on semigroup actions
I posted this question on Math Stack Exchange about 10 days ago, but received no answer (https://math.stackexchange.com/q/4843881/1223994).
I would like to ask for references on semigroup actions on ...
- 339
3
votes
1
answer
150
views
Homogeneous regular (= polynomial component) maps with odd degree and their being global homeomorphisms in dimensions higher than one?
Let $F:\mathbb{R}^m \to\mathbb{R}^m, F:=(F_1\dots F_m)$ be a regular map, i.e. with components $F_i$ that are polynomials.
Assume further that each $F_i$ is an odd degree (say $d$) homogenous ...
- 1,467
14
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Recommendations for getting into sheaves with emphasis on differential geometry and algebraic topology
I want to study the theory of sheaves from a categorical point of view with an emphasis on applications in algebraic topology and differential geometry and I'm looking for a good introductory book to ...
- 141
4
votes
1
answer
361
views
Spaces that are contractible mod diagonal
I bumped into a seemingly natural strengthening of contractibility, which I refer to as "contractible mod diagonal". I'd like to know if this is something standard and whether it appears ...
- 6,652
2
votes
0
answers
55
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
0
votes
0
answers
60
views
The size of super level sets and the symmetry on a sphere
Let $u$ be a smooth function defined on the sphere $\mathbb{S}^2$, and let $R \in \mathrm{SO}(3)$ be a three-dimensional rotation. Define
$$
S_R = \{x \in \mathbb{S}^2 : u(x) \neq u(Rx)\}.
$$
Suppose ...
- 434
4
votes
1
answer
489
views
Cohomology of finite symmetric products of manifolds
Let $M$ be a closed, orientable manifold of dimension $k$. I am looking for results to determine explicitly the (co)homology groups and/or cohomology ring structure (in integer or rational ...
- 506
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Applications of the Dold-Kan correspondence
The Dold-Kan correspondence says essentially that simplicial abelian groups and nonnegative chain complexes of abelian groups are equivalent objects. While this is a very natural statement, I am not ...
- 129
9
votes
1
answer
444
views
Hochschild cohomology of a group algebra
Let $K$ be a field and $G=\pi_1(\Sigma_g)$ the surface group of genus $\geq 2$. I want to know the Hochschild cohomology of the group algebra $A=K[G]$ with coefficients in $A$ and $A\otimes A$, namely,...
- 985
2
votes
2
answers
275
views
The complex $K$-theory of the Thom spectrum $MU$
The Atiyah-Hirzebruch spectral sequence is a strong computational tool that yields several interesting computation in (co)homology. I want to know whether $K_\ast(MU)$ and $K^\ast(MU)$ have been ...
- 21
3
votes
2
answers
285
views
Cut a homotopy in two via a "frontier"
Consider a space $G$ obtained by glueing two disjoint cobordisms (the fact that they are might be irrelevant, assume they are topological spaces at first) $L$ and $R$ on a common boundary $C$.
(...
2
votes
0
answers
208
views
Classification of bundles with fixed total space
I am aware of classification theorems for principal bundles, vector bundles, and covering spaces $\pi:E\to B$ over a fixed base space $B$. Principal and vector bundles over $B$ are classified by ...
- 501
7
votes
1
answer
415
views
Classifying abelian (but non-central) group extensions using homotopy theory
Let $G$ be a group and let $A$ be an abelian group equipped with an action of $G$. Group extensions
$$1 \longrightarrow A \longrightarrow \Gamma \longrightarrow G \longrightarrow 1$$
inducing the ...
- 44.8k
0
votes
0
answers
101
views
Finding an example if it exists, for a non-contractible and contractible space with special requirement on quotients of their union?
Let $A$ and $B$ be subsets of $n$-dimensional Euclidean space $\mathbb{R}^{n}$, such that $A$ is non-contractible, $B$ is contractible and $B$ is not an one-point set.
I would like to find example(s) ...
4
votes
0
answers
226
views
Is the total space of a $ U_1 $ principal bundle over a compact homogeneous space always itself homogeneous?
Let $ U_1 \to E \to B $ be a $ U_1 $ principal bundle. Suppose that $ B $ is homogenous (admits a transitive action by a Lie group) and compact. Then must it be the case that $ E $, the total space of ...
- 4,081
3
votes
1
answer
144
views
Linearity of topological periodic cyclic homology
Let $A$ be an $E_\infty$ ring spectrum, $B$ a ring spectrum. Then if I understand correctly, $TP(A)$ is a ring spectrum by the lax monoidal property of $TP$. Suppose there is a map of ringed spectra ...
- 959
11
votes
1
answer
380
views
Chromatic representation theory of the symmetric groups?
We know that in characteristic 0, the group ring of the symmetric group $\Sigma_n$ splits via one idempotent for each partition of $n$.
In characteristic $p$, I believe the analogous statement is that ...
- 64k
2
votes
0
answers
117
views
Hypercube of chain complexes as functor from (Δ^1 )^n to ∞-category of chain complexes
A hypercube of chain complexes consists of $\mathbb{Z}$-graded vector spaces $C_\epsilon$ for $\epsilon\in\{0,1\}^n$ and maps $D_{\epsilon,\epsilon^\prime}:C_{\epsilon}\to C_{\epsilon^\prime}$ for $\...
- 673
1
vote
1
answer
153
views
For topological torus action, there is a subcircle whose fixed point is the same as the torus
Let $T=\mathbb{S}^{1}\times \mathbb{S}^{1}\times \cdots \times \mathbb{S}^{1}
$ ($n$ times) be an $n$-dimensional torus acting on any topological space $X$.
The group $G$ is said to act on a space $X$ ...
- 1,367
4
votes
1
answer
250
views
On the initiality of the inclusion from the simplex category to the paracycle category
Thm B.3 of Nikolaus and Scholze shows that the natural inclusion $\Delta \to \Lambda_\infty$, from the simplex category to the paracycle category, is an initial functor, i.e. satisfies the hypotheses ...
- 64k
4
votes
0
answers
249
views
Homotopy group of maps into S^3 using its Lie group multiplication to define the group operation
The Bruschlinsky group of maps of a space X into S1 up to homotopy, using the multiplication on S1, is well-known to equal the first cohomology group of X (at least assuming X is a reasonably nice ...
- 2,858
149
votes
7
answers
23k
views
Homotopy groups of Lie groups
Several times I've heard the claim that any Lie group $G$ has trivial second fundamental group $\pi_2(G)$, but I have never actually come across a proof of this fact. Is there a nice argument, ...
- 4,014