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Questions tagged [fundamental-group]

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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 ...
4 votes
0 answers
517 views

Exact sequence of the fundamental group of the general fiber

Let $f\colon X\rightarrow Y$ be a morphism of complex algebraic varieties. Let $y\in Y$ be a general point, then we have a sequence of homomorphisms of fundamental groups induced by the inclusion of ...
1 vote
0 answers
136 views

algebraic varieties whose fundamental group is subgroup separable wrt subvariety subgroups

Call an algebraic variety $\pi_1$-subgroup separable iff, for every $Y\subseteq X$ a closed subvariety and $\hat Y\xrightarrow{i} Y$ a normalisation of $Y$, and subgroup $\Gamma=Im(\pi_1(\hat Y,y)\...
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 ...
4 votes
0 answers
152 views

local systems with cyclic monodromy

In their book "Lectures on vanishing theorems", Esnault and Viehweg used finite cyclic covering of varieties constructed as follows: Let $X$ be a smooth projective variety over some field $k$ of ...
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 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 ...
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 ...
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:...
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 ...
20 votes
2 answers
2k views

Unipotency in realisations of the motivic fundamental group

Deligne, in his 1987 paper on the fundamental group of $\mathbb{P}^1 \setminus \{0,1,\infty\}$ (in "Galois Groups over $\mathbb{Q}$"), defines a system of realisations for a motivic fundamental group. ...
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 ...
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 ...
5 votes
0 answers
287 views

Nori fundamental group and etale fundamental group in positive characteristic

Let $X$ be a smooth projective surface over an algebraically closed field of char $p > 0$. Suppose that $\pi_{1}^{et}(X) = \{1\}$. Can Nori fundamental group scheme of $X$ be non-trivial?
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 ...
1 vote
1 answer
436 views

Find a simple closed curve in $S$ which represents a commutator in $\pi_1 S$

I am interested in the following problem : decide if a certain element of the fundamental group can be represented by a simple closed curve. The general case has already been asked and answered on MO (...
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 ...
4 votes
1 answer
481 views

local fundamental group of elliptic singularities

Is the local fundamental group of an elliptic singularity virtually solvable ? Here (the terminology is sometimes divergent) an elliptic singularity is a (germ of) normal surface $(X,x)$ such that $X$ ...
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Fundamental group of an hyperbolic $4$-manifold

Good afternoon everyone, I have a very general question about hyperbolic manifolds and their fundamental groups in high dimension (at least $4$). If the theory of surfaces and $3$-manifolds provide ...
9 votes
1 answer
627 views

Do all varieties have only finitely many etale covers of fixed degree

I've been wondering about the following "finiteness statement" concerning etale covers for a while. Let $K$ be a field of characteristic zero, not necessarily algebraically closed. A variety over $K$ ...
8 votes
1 answer
573 views

Do elements of the fundamental group give rise to isometries

Let $X$ be a complex algebraic variety, and let $\tilde X\to X$ be its universal cover. Suppose that there exists a Kahler-Einstein metric on $\tilde X$. Note that $\pi_1(X) \subset Aut(\tilde X)$. ...
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?)...
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 ...
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) $\...
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 ...
4 votes
1 answer
369 views

Structure of fundamental groups arising from smooth projective morphisms

Let $f:X\to B$ be a smooth projective morphism of complex algebraic varieties. If $f$ is of relative dimension zero, i.e., $f$ is a finite etale cover, then the image of the topological fundamental ...
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Algebraic numbers and the complex projective line minus three points

Deligne's monograph “Le Groupe Fondamental de la Droite Projective Moins Trois Points” begins by remarking that when X is the projective line over the complex numbers, minus three points: "every ...
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 ...
1 vote
1 answer
329 views

$P^1$ minus k points

For $k\geq 3$, and $k$ arbitrary points $S=( z_1,\cdots,z_k ) \in \mathbb{P}^1$, we can write $$ P^1 \setminus S \cong \mathbb{H}/G $$ where $\mathbb{H}$ is the upper-half plane and $G\subset PSL(2,...
3 votes
1 answer
209 views

Is $\pi_1(\widetilde{X/G})$ always finite if $\pi_1(X)$ is finite?

Let $X$ be a smooth complex manifold with finite fundamental group. Suppose that a finite group $G$ acts on $X$ and let $\widetilde{X/G}$ be a resolution of singularities. Is $\pi_1(\widetilde{X/G})$ ...
25 votes
2 answers
2k views

Profinite groups as étale fundamental groups

Does every profinite group arise as the étale fundamental group of a connected scheme? Equivalently, does every Galois category arise as the category of finite étale covers of a connected scheme? ...
24 votes
5 answers
6k views

How should one understand orbifold fundamental groups?

I am studying orbifold fundamental group (or more generally orbifold homotopy groups). In a nutshell, my questions is: what are they intuitively? In what follows I give definitions and more precise ...
18 votes
3 answers
1k views

3-manifolds with solvable fundamental group

Is there a nice reference for the classification of closed 3-manifolds with solvable (nilpotent, abelian, etc.) fundamental group, assuming the Geometrization Conjecture?
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

About "de-Rham" and "l-adic" local systems - comparison

Hello, Suppose that $k$ is an algebraically closed field of char. 0. Let $X$ be a smooth connected variety over $k$. Then I have the category $A$ of Regular Singular smooth $D$-modules on $X$ (i.e. ...
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 ...
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Fundamental Group and Etale Cohomology

I encountered the following statement without a reference many times. For a smooth variety $X$ over a perfect field $k$. $Hom(H^1_{et}(X, \mathbb{Z}/n), \mathbb{Z}/n) \cong \pi^{ab}_1(X)/n$ Is there ...
3 votes
1 answer
600 views

Grothendieck's section conjecture and base change: restricting sections

Let $X$ be a smooth projective geometrically connected curve over $\mathbf{Q}$ of genus at least two. Fix an algebraic closure $\overline{\mathbf{Q}}$ of $\mathbf{Q}$ and let $G_{\mathbf{Q}}$ be the ...
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 ...
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 ...
4 votes
2 answers
349 views

Number of connected components of the Hurwitz space $H_n^o$ and subgroups of the fundamental group

A cover (of $\mathbf{P}^1_{\overline{\mathbf{Q}}}$) is a finite morphism $X\to \mathbf{P}^1_{\overline{\mathbf{Q}}}$, where $X$ is a smooth projective connected curve over $\overline{\mathbf{Q}}$. ...
4 votes
1 answer
604 views

A question about the Tannakian etale fundamental group of a curve

Let $X$ be a smooth connected quasi-projective curve over $\mathbf{Q}$. Let $U$ be the pro-unipotent etale fundamental group of $X$ over $\mathbf{Q}_p$. $U^1 = U$ and let $U^n =[U,U^{n-1}]$. Let $n\...
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 ...
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 votes
3 answers
352 views

When is a three-manifold deck transformation group solvable?

Suppose that $\pi:Y \to Y'$ is a regular covering of closed, connected, orientable three-manifolds and let $G$ be the deck transformation group. Furthermore, suppose that $Y$ is a rational homology ...
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 ...
14 votes
3 answers
1k views

Can we define homotopy groups using Tannakian categories

This is another vague question. Hope you guys don't mind. Let $T$ be a Tannakian category. For any fibre functor $F$ on $T$ we define the fundamental group of $T$ at $F$, denoted by $\pi_1(T,F)$, to ...
17 votes
3 answers
4k views

What is π_1(BG) for an arbitrary topological group $G$?

The classifying space $BG=|Nerve(G)|$ of an arbitrary topological group $G$ does not necessarily have the homotopy type of a CW-complex but the fundamental group should still be accessible. What is $\...
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 ...
0 votes
0 answers
173 views

Analytic Characterization of Parallel Transport of Fundamental Groups

(Note that I've edited the main body of the question to make it clear for other readers.) Fix a principal $G$-bundle $\rho: P \rightarrow X$ and fix a point $p \in P_x$ in the fiber above $x \in X$. ...
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})) = \...