All Questions
Tagged with fundamental-group at.algebraic-topology
106 questions
9
votes
1
answer
657
views
Must an inverse limit of simply connected groups be simply connected?
While the fundamental group $\pi_1$ preserves products, it is not true in general that an inverse limit of simply connected topological spaces is simply connected. I would like to know if similar ...
- 7,203
17
votes
1
answer
574
views
Simply connected slices
Assume $\Omega$ is an open set in $\mathbb R^3$
such that the intersection of $\Omega$ with any horizontal plane is simply connected.
Can you prove that $\Omega$ is simply connected?
(Note that ...
- 45k
5
votes
1
answer
353
views
Fundamental groups of open sets in $R^n$ with $n=3,4$
It is well known that every finitely presented group may be realised as fundamental group of some closed $4$-manifold.
What groups can be obtained as fundamental groups of open subsets of $R^4$? I'...
- 9,340
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Under what conditions is the induced map of etale fundamental groups surjective?
Let $f:X \to Y$ be a morphism of schemes. I am interested in sufficient conditions on $f$ which would ensure that the induced map $\pi_1^{et}(X) \to \pi_1^{et}(Y)$ of etale fundamental groups is ...
- 2,974
4
votes
1
answer
375
views
What is kernel $\phi:G\rightarrow \pi_1(X/G,p(x_0))$?
Let $G$ be a discontinuous group (this means that it acts discontinuously with finite stabilizers) of homeomorphisms of a simply connected, locally compact metric space $X$. Let $p:X\rightarrow X/G$ ...
- 399
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is the algebraic fundamental groups of $SO(n)$ and $Sp(2n)$?
Let $k$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. and let $$\sigma: SL_n(k)\rightarrow SL_n(k)$$
be an involution.
My questions are:
How could one calculate the fundamental group of $...
- 307
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
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
0
answers
317
views
A homomorphism in the long exact sequence of a fibration for a homogeneous space of a Lie group
Let $G$ be a connected Lie group, and let $H\subset G$ be a (closed) Lie subgroup, not necessarily connected. Set $X=G/H$.
The fibration $j\colon G\to X$ with fiber $H$ induces an exact sequence
$$
\...
- 14.2k
4
votes
1
answer
573
views
A lower-dimensional algebraic topology problem between homology group and fundamental group
Let
\begin{equation}
A\stackrel{\alpha}{\longrightarrow}B\stackrel{\beta}{\longrightarrow}C\quad\quad (1)
\end{equation}
be a short sequence of (abelian or nonabelian) groups and homomorphisms. We say ...
- 1,881
27
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Teaching the fundamental group via everyday examples
This question is a "prequel" to a similar question about homology. Both questions were inspired by seeing a talk, by Tadashi Tokieda, about the interesting physics that appears in toys.
What ...
2
votes
3
answers
651
views
question about the induced homomorphism of etale fundamental groups
Background/Setup
For any connected scheme $S$, let $\text{FEt}_S$ denote the category of finite etale $S$-schemes. Let $f : X\rightarrow Y$ be a morphism of connected schemes, then for any finite ...
- 10.7k
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
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
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
On the fundamental group of closed 3-manifolds
I know that every finitely presented group can be realized as the fundamental group of a compact, connected, smooth manifold of dimension 4 (or higher). In dimension 2 there are strong restriction on ...
- 683
6
votes
2
answers
595
views
Fundamental group of a manifold with an $S^1$-action
Let $M$ be a compact connected manifold with an $S^1$-action. Suppose that $S^1$ has a fixed point in $M$. Is it true that $\pi_1(M)=\pi_1(M/S^1)$?
I is there some reference or a short proof of this ...
- 14.3k
2
votes
1
answer
368
views
fundamental group and torus action
Let $T$ be the complex torus acting on a complex connected algebraic variety $X$
and let $p \colon X\rightarrow Y$ be a good quotient for this action.
For any $y\in Y$ we have a sequence $p^{-1}(y) \...
- 1,595
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Computing the fundamental group of a flag variety
Let $G$ be a compact and connected and simply connected Lie group and $\mathfrak{g}$ be its Lie algebra and $x\in\mathfrak{g}^*$. How can we compute the fundamental group of $G/G_x$ where $G_x$ is ...
user21574
20
votes
0
answers
617
views
On a homological finiteness condition
Assumption: $X$ is a connected CW complex, and $H_{\ast}(X;\mathbb{Z})=\bigoplus_{n \geq 0} H_n (X; \mathbb{Z})$ is finitely generated.
Question: does there exist a finite CW complex $Y$ and a map $f:...
- 20.9k
1
vote
1
answer
379
views
Finding the 2nd homotopy group $\pi_2(G^\mathbb{C}/P)$
Let $G$ be a compact connected and simply connected Lie group and $G^\mathbb{C}$ be the complexification of Lie group (with is diffeomorphic with $G^\mathbb{C}\cong T^*G$) then I am looking for ...
user21574
1
vote
1
answer
151
views
A formula for isotropy group $\pi_1(G_a)$
Let $G$ be a compact Lie group and $T$ be its maximal tours, and $a\in \mathfrak{g}^*$. and $G_a$ be the isotropy group of $G$ then $T\subset G_a$ and we know that $\pi_1(T)=\mathbb{Z}^n$. My ...
user21574
13
votes
0
answers
863
views
About maps inducing bijections on homotopy classes
Let us assume that $f:X \to Y$ is a map of connected CW complexes, having the following property: if $K$ is a finite CW complex, then the induced map $f_{\ast}:[K,X] \to [K,Y]$ on \emph{free} homotopy ...
- 20.9k
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Computing fundamental groups of the complement of plane curves
This paper of Zariski contains this statement: If $C$ is a curve in $\mathbb{CP}^2$, and $L$ is a generic line, then the injection $L\setminus C \hookrightarrow \mathbb{CP}^2\setminus C$ induces an ...
- 5,359
8
votes
3
answers
943
views
Smooth projective varieties with infinite abelian fundamental group and finite $\pi_2$
Let $X$ be a smooth projective complex algebraic variety of general type. Suppose that the (topological) fundamental group of $X$ is an infinite abelian group and that $\pi_2(X^{an})$ is finite.
What ...
- 81
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
The fundamental group of a $3$-manifold with a boundary of genus $>0$
Let $M$ be an orientable $3$-manifold with connected boundary $\Sigma_g$, a surface of genus $g>0$.
I would like to find a reference to the following two statements.
1) $\pi_1(M)\ne 0$.
2) $\...
- 14.3k
1
vote
1
answer
307
views
The fundamental group of an $S^1$-quotient
Let $M$ be a compact manifold with an $\mathbb S^1$-action that fixes a point on $M$.
Is it correct that $\pi_1(M/S^1)=\pi_1(M)$?
I believe this is correct and is a corollary of some well-known ...
- 14.3k
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
The fundamental group of a closed surface without classification of surfaces?
The fundamental group of a closed oriented surface of genus $g$ has the well-known presentation
$$
\langle x_1,\ldots, x_g,y_1,\ldots ,y_g\vert \prod_{i=1}^{g} [x_i,y_i]\rangle.
$$
The proof I know ...
- 20.9k
1
vote
1
answer
438
views
When is the class of functions between sets a set?
I'm reading the paper 'The big fundamental group, big Hawaiian earrings and the big free groups'. The authors state that the class of homotopy equivalences of loops in the space he dubs as the big ...
- 189
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Fundamental group of a compact manifold
Why is the fundamental group of a compact manifold finitely presented?
- 217
5
votes
2
answers
399
views
Conjugation of homogeneous spaces
Let $X$ be a smooth irreducible algebraic variety
over the field of complex numbers ${\mathbb{C}}$.
Let $x\in X({\mathbb{C}})$.
Let $\tau$ be an automorphism of ${\mathbb{C}}$ (not necessarily ...
- 14.2k
36
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Is the fundamental group functor a left-adjoint?
Theorem 1B.9 in Hatcher's Algebraic Topology says that for a (pointed) connected CW complex $X$ and group $G$, there is a bijection $\text{Hom}(\pi_1(X), G) \cong [X,K(G,1)]$, where $\pi_1(X)$ is the ...
- 1,446
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
13
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Manifolds with prescribed fundamental group and finitely many trivial homotopy groups
Fix $G$, a finitely generated presented group.
It is known that for every $k > 3$ there is a closed $k$-manifold whose fundamental group is $G$. Similarly, there is a topological space with ...
- 3,165
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
$\pi_1$ Sequence of Topological Groups
Consider a connected topological group $G$ (not necessarily Lie). You have some maps $G\times G\to G$, such as projection to either summand, or multiplication $(g,h)\mapsto gh$. Now let's look at a ...
- 17.5k
16
votes
0
answers
645
views
Codimension Two Embeddings in Goodwillie-Weiss Manifold Calculus, and the Difficulty of Fundamental Groups
In manifold calculus, there are various analyticity estimates which run into trouble for codimension two embeddings. For instance, the functor $\operatorname{Emb}(M,N)$ is analytic in $M$ if $\dim M \...
- 3,351
8
votes
6
answers
4k
views
connected compact semisimple lie group finite fundamental group
I was told that the fundamental group of a connected, compact, semisimple Lie group is finite, with the outline of a possible way to prove this fact. Is there any source however that fleshes this out ...
- 993
8
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Homology of Covering Spaces
Let $A$ be a subgroup of a group $G$. Then since $A$ is a subgroup of the fundamental group $\pi_1(K(G,1))=G$, there is a covering space $p\colon Y\to K(G,1)$ with $p_*(\pi_1(Y))=A$. So the homology ...
- 1,108
10
votes
1
answer
761
views
fundamental groups of smooth projective variety.
Is there a discrete group G which is the fundamental group of a compact Kahler
manifold but which is not the fundamental group of any smooth projective complex algebraic variety?
It is known that ...
- 3,867
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
14
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Are acyclic subcomplexes of finite contractible 2-complexes contractible?
Let $Y$ be a contractible finite simplicial 2-complex.
Let $X$ be an acyclic subcomplex of $Y$ (i.e. $X$ connected, $H_1(X)=0$, $H_2(X)=0$).
Is $X$ contractible? (Equivalently, is $\pi_1(X)$ trivial?)...
- 1,481
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
9
votes
1
answer
266
views
Branch cuts of $GL_n^+(\mathbb{R})$
Branch cuts
Let $GL_n^+(\mathbb{R})$ denote the group of $n\times n$ real matrices with positive determinant. Topologically, $GL_n^+(\mathbb{R})$ is connected, and
$$ \pi_1(GL_2^+(\mathbb{R})) = \...
- 13k
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
8
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Fundamental group of R^2-Q^2
After learning about the fundamental group, and proving that $\mathbb{R}^n$ minus any countable set is path-connected, I started wondering if the fundamental group of $\mathbb{R}^2-\mathbb{Q}^2$ is ...
- 3,079
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Fundamental groups of closed hyperbolic 3-manifolds are freely indecomposable
I believe the following statement is true, and I've even seen it referenced here. Could someone point me to a proof?
The fundamental group of a closed hyperbolic 3-manifold is not a free product.
- 726
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Topological vs pro fundamental groups
Consider the following two structure-adding refinements of the fundamental group of a topological space:
the set $\pi_1(X)$ inherits a quotient topology from the compact-open topology of $X^{S^1}$, ...
- 66.8k
5
votes
2
answers
756
views
explicit linear representations of fundamental groups of surfaces
I am looking for an explicit representation of the fundamental group of a closed orientable surface of genus >1. I guess they should be abundant in degree 2. Did anyone see the explicit matrix ...
- 1,050
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
31
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Can the fundamental group of any manifold be realized as the fund grp of a finite space?
Recently, I was asked to calculate the fundamental group of the space $X= \{a,b,c,d\}$ with open sets generated by $\{ a, c, abc, acd \}$.
Turns out, $\pi_1(X)\cong \mathbb Z$ and in fact, $X$ is the ...
- 899
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Computing `$\pi_1 S^1$` using groupoids
I believe it is possible to compute $\pi_1 S^1$ by applying the groupoid version of the Seifert-Van Kampen Theorem (in the version presented in May's Concise Course) to a covering of the circle by ...
- 8,803