All Questions
97 questions
41
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Homotopy type of TOP(4)/PL(4)
It is known (e.g. the Kirby-Siebenmann book) that $\mathrm{TOP}(n)/\mathrm{PL}(n)\simeq K({\mathbb Z}/2,3)$ for $n>4$. I believe it is also known (Freedman-Quinn) that $\mathrm{TOP}(4)/\mathrm{PL}(...
- 6,210
39
votes
3
answers
4k
views
In which situations can one see that topological spaces are ill-behaved from the homotopical viewpoint?
In the eighties, Grothendieck devoted a great amount of time to work on the foundations of homotopical algebra.
He wrote in "Esquisse d'un programme": "[D]epuis près d'un an, la plus grande partie ...
30
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is the space of diffeomorphisms homotopy equivalent to a CW-complex?
Clarification: My question concerns the homotopy type of the space of $C^k$ diffeomorphisms with the compact-open $C^k$ topology, where $0< k \leq\infty$. I have stated my question below with $k=1$ ...
- 6,210
28
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is there a general theory of fiber theorems?
Here are three vague theorems rolled up in one.
Let $X$ and $Y$ be sufficiently nice topological spaces and $f:X \to Y$ a sufficiently nice surjection. If for each $y \in Y$, the fiber $f^{-1}(y) \...
- 15.5k
27
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Failure of smoothing theory for topological 4-manifolds
Smoothing theory fails for topological 4-manifolds, in that a smooth structure on a topological 4-manifold $M$ is not equivalent to a vector bundle structure on the tangent microbundle of $M$. Is ...
- 967
21
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Does this approach for the Poincaré conjecture work?
Several months ago a paper was posted at
http://arxiv.org/abs/1001.4164
called "Another way of answering Henri Poincaré's fundamental question." The author gave a talk on it today at my institution. ...
21
votes
2
answers
622
views
Morphism from a surface group to a symmetric group, lifted to the braid group
Let $\Sigma_g$ be the fundamental group of the closed orientable surface of genus $g\ge 2$; let $B_n$ be the braid group on $n\ge 3$ braids; let $S_n$ be the symmetric group on $n$ letters; let $p:B_n\...
- 2,479
20
votes
2
answers
870
views
Distinct manifolds with the same configuration spaces?
For a space $X$, let $C_k X$ denote the space of configurations of $k$ distinct unordered points in $X$.
What is an example of a pair of smooth manifolds $M$ and $N$ that are not homeomorphic but ...
- 3,103
19
votes
1
answer
790
views
Which cohomology classes are detected by tori?
Given a space $X$, I am looking for a characterization of classes $\alpha \in H^n(X;\bf Q)$ such that there is a map $f\colon T^n \to X$ so that $f^{\ast} \alpha$ pairs non-trivially against the ...
- 11.9k
19
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is obstructing two stably-isomorphic vector bundles from being isomorphic?
The specific situation is the following:
Let $n>0$ be a natural number, let $X$ be a finite CW complex of dimension $n$, and let $\xi_0,\xi_1$ be oriented real vector bundles of rank $n$ over $X$ ...
- 521
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is the generator of $\pi_9(S^2)$?
This is more or less the same question as
[ What is the generator of $\pi_9(S^3)$? ], except what I would like to know is if it is possible to describe this map in a way
not only topologists can ...
- 6,891
18
votes
0
answers
496
views
Orientation-reversing homotopy equivalence
If there is an orientation-reversing homotopy equivalence on a closed simply-connected orientable manifold is there an orientation-reversing homeomorphism?
It is not true, for instance, that if there ...
user164740
17
votes
2
answers
2k
views
homotopy type of embeddings versus diffeomorphisms
Previously, I asked a question on mathoverflow comparing smooth embeddings and diffeomorphisms, which received a very interesting and somewhat unexpected answer by Agol. I now ask a further question ...
- 6,210
14
votes
1
answer
933
views
Smooth structures on PL 4-manifolds
Is it known whether $O(4) \to PL(4)$, the map from the orthogonal group to the group of piecewise linear homeomorphisms of $\mathbb{R}^4$, is a homotopy equivalence? By smoothing theory for PL ...
- 967
14
votes
1
answer
681
views
Alexander duality for non-manifolds
Let $X$ be a CW complex and $A$ a subcomplex. I will assume that both are compact, and that $X$ is $n$-dimensional. Furthermore, assume that the local homology of $X$ is that of a manifold in a ...
- 4,133
13
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is there a good definition of (topological) K-Theory over arbitrary spaces?
Hi
(this is my very first question here, so please don't hurt me...)
for some time now i've been looking for a sufficiently aesthetical definition of (topological) K-theory of arbitrary spaces, yet ...
- 333
13
votes
0
answers
330
views
One periodic cohomology theories?
Is there a classification of one periodic cohomology theories? In other words, spaces $X$ such that $\Omega X \simeq X$? For example, $X=*$ and $X= K(G,0) \times K(G,1) \times \dots$ are examples. ...
- 5,839
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Stable homotopy groups of $RP^{\infty}$
Are the stable homotopy groups $\pi^s_i(\mathbb R P^{\infty})$ known for small $i$? In particular, I would be interested in the values for $i = 5,6$. A quick Internet search did not lead to anything.
- 11.9k
12
votes
1
answer
489
views
Homological stability and Waldhausen A-theory
$\DeclareMathOperator{\Diff}{Diff}$
From the work of Galatius - Randall-Williams and Berglund - Madsen we have homological stability (with respect to g) of $B\Diff_\partial (W_{g,1})$ and rational ...
- 5,839
12
votes
0
answers
408
views
The $\infty$-category of $n$-manifolds and open embeddings determined homotopically from that of topological manifolds?
Let $\mathrm{Diff}_n$, $\mathrm{PL}_n$, $\mathrm{Top}_n$ denote the $\infty$-categories of $n$-manifolds which are respectively smooth/PL/topological, and open embeddings (for instance by taking the ...
- 7,789
11
votes
1
answer
379
views
Smooth structure on direct product
Let $M$ be the $E_8$ manifold. Is there a closed manifold $N$ such that $M\times N$ is smoothable? What is the smallest possible dimension of $N$?
user164740
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Complements of Simply Connected Subsets of the Plane
this is my first question here! Hopefully it is appropriate. Let $\mathbb{A}$ be the punctured plane, i.e. the 'standard' annulus. For compact, connected subsets of the plane (planar continua) $X \...
- 439
10
votes
2
answers
757
views
Embedded (framed) cobordisms
[The title initially was "Actions of gauge groups on framed cobordisms. This has been changed.]
This question is a follow-up to my answer to When is a submanifold of $\mathbf R^n$ given by global ...
- 23.5k
9
votes
1
answer
588
views
Oriented bordism in higher dimensions (e.g. $12 \leq d \leq 28$)
The classification of oriented compact smooth manifolds up to oriented cobordism is one
of the landmarks of 20th century topology. The techniques used there form the part of the foundations of ...
- 10.5k
9
votes
1
answer
322
views
Torsion and nilpotence of framed manifolds under the Pontryagin-Thom map
The framed Pontryagin Thom construction produces a graded ring isomorphism from the framed cobordism ring $\Omega^{fr}_*$ to the stable ring of homotopy groups of spheres $\pi_*(\mathbb{S})$. I have a ...
9
votes
1
answer
349
views
Smooth complex projective surface as the total space of a Serre fibration
Let $M$ be the underlying topological manifold of a smooth complex projective surface. Assume $\pi_1(M)=\{0\}$ and $\pi_2(M)\neq \mathbb{Z}^2$.
Is there a Serre fibration $M\to B$ where $B$ is a CW ...
user164740
9
votes
1
answer
541
views
cohomology of classifying space of permutation groups
Let $\Sigma_k$ be the permutation group of order $k$.
Let $r: \Sigma_k\to GL(k)$ be the regular representation by permuting the order of the standard basis of $\mathbb{R}^n$.
Let $\rho: B\Sigma_k\...
- 1,990
9
votes
0
answers
333
views
Homotopical characterization of CW complexes
Let $X$ be a compact metrizable topological space of covering dimension $n\leq 3$.
Is it possible to give a necessary and sufficient condition for $X$ to be a CW complex in terms of the homotopy types ...
- 117
9
votes
0
answers
200
views
Homotopical characterization of manifolds
Let $X$ be a compact metrizable topological space of covering dimension $4$.
Assume that for any point $x\in X$ any neighbourhood of $x$ contains a contractible open neighbourhood $U$ such that $U\...
- 117
8
votes
2
answers
849
views
quotient space of Eilenberg-MacLane space
Let $\pi$ be a group and $K(\pi,1)$ the Eilenberg-MacLane space. Let $G$ be a finite group acting on $K(\pi,1)$ such that the following is a covering map
$$
K(\pi,1)\longrightarrow K(\pi,1)/G.
$$
...
- 1,990
8
votes
1
answer
391
views
Homotopy type of diffeomorphism which are the identity on and near the boundary
Let $M$ be a compact manifold with boundary. Denote by $Diff(M), Diff_\partial(M)$ and $Diff_{U\partial}(M)$ the groups of diffeomorphisms of $M$ and the subgroups of the ones that are the identity on ...
- 81
8
votes
0
answers
151
views
The James and Morse filtrations of homotopy groups
Denote by $JX$ the James construction on a path connected, well-pointed space $X$. This space is filtered by subspaces $X=J_1X\subseteq\dots\subseteq J_nX\subseteq\dots\subseteq JX$ and is the domain ...
- 5,596
8
votes
0
answers
217
views
Hopf invariants of elements from spherical fibrations
Let $G_n$ be the space of homotopy-equivalences of $S^{n-1}$. Evaluation produces a map $G_{n} \to S^{n-1}$. For $n = 2m+1$, I would like to understand the induced map on $\pi_{4m-1}$. More precisely, ...
- 11.9k
7
votes
2
answers
726
views
contractible configuration spaces
Let $F(M,k)=\{(x_1,\cdots,x_k)\mid x_1\cdots,x_k\in M,x_i\neq x_j, \text{ for } i\neq j \}$. It is known that $F(\mathbb{R}^\infty,k)$ is contractible for each $k$.
My question: is $F(S^\infty,k)$ ...
- 1,990
7
votes
3
answers
444
views
An obstruction theory for promoting homotopy equivalences that are equivariant maps to equivariant homotopy equivalences?
Say I have a map of $G$-spaces $f : X \to Y$ and I know it is a homotopy-equivalence in the plain sense that there exists a map (maybe not equivariant) $g : Y \to X$ such that the two composites are ...
- 44.4k
7
votes
1
answer
364
views
Aspherical homotopy orbit space of configurations on the 2-sphere
The group SO(3) acts naturally on $S^2$ and thus on $Conf(S^2, q)$, the configuration space of $q$ distinct points on the 2-sphere, via the diagonal action on $S^2 \times...\times S^2$. This is a ...
- 2,734
7
votes
1
answer
447
views
Computing $\pi_2$ of the complement of a 2-knot or spaces with aspherical splittings?
As far as I know, it is an open question if the complement of a ribbon disk $D^2 \subset B^4$ is aspherical. In reading "Some remarks on a problem of J.H.C Whitehead" by Howie, it is noted that there ...
- 5,349
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
classifying space of orthogonal groups
Let $O(n)$ be the $n$-th orthogonal group and $O$ be the direct limit of $O(n)$ with respect to $n$. Let $BO(n)$ and $BO$ be the classifying spaces.
Question:
Why $BO$ is an $H$-space? My supervisor ...
- 1,990
6
votes
1
answer
414
views
Do $h$-cobordism groups arise from a 'Thom-like' spectrum?
Not thinking about $h$-cobordism, one usually defines a cobordism between manifolds, realizes it is an equivalence relation, chooses an appropriate class of structured manifolds (framed, unoriented, ...
- 609
6
votes
1
answer
506
views
Map which is null-homotopic on compacts
This is the missing ingredient towards answering my previous question.
Let $M$ and $N$ be path connected locally compact, locally contractible metric spaces (you may assume that they are manifolds). ...
- 5,529
6
votes
1
answer
426
views
When are principal bundles preserved by colimits?
Let $G$ be a topological group and consider a family $$G\rightarrow E_i\rightarrow B_i$$ of $G$-principal bundles indexed over the natural numbers. Suppose we have $G$-bundle morphisms (equivariant ...
- 489
6
votes
1
answer
206
views
A stable splitting of linear surjections
Some computations I've been doing in Weiss calculus predict the following stable splitting of the space of linear surjections: $\Sigma^\infty_+ \mathrm{Sur}(\mathbb{R}^n,\mathbb{R}^{m_1+m_2})$
as the ...
- 5,839
6
votes
0
answers
162
views
Uniqueness of normal microbundle of a smooth embedding
Suppose $M$ is a topological manifold and $\iota: N\hookrightarrow M$ be a submanifold. A normal microbundle of $N$ consists of an open neighborhood $U$ of $N$ and a retraction $\pi: U \to N$ such ...
- 803
6
votes
0
answers
634
views
Quotient space, a fundamental group, and higher homotopy groups 2
Previously, I ask for comments/suggestions on setting up the calculation in Quotient space, homogeneous space, and higher homotopy groups. There, however, I was looking for whatever methods and tools ...
- 10.5k
6
votes
0
answers
391
views
Smooth manifold with non-trivial inertia group? (wrt homotopy spheres)
Let $\Theta_n$ be the set of orientation-preserving diffeomorphism classes of homotopy spheres, with abelian group structure given by #. Then for any smooth manifold $M^n$ one defines the "inertia ...
- 732
6
votes
0
answers
312
views
homotopy domination that splits a non-split epimorphism and still wants to be a homotopy equivalence
Can a homotopy domination by a space supporting a free action of $G$ be promoted to a homotopy equivalence with such a space? As stated, this is not a serious question (multiply by an $EG$). But with ...
- 5,575
5
votes
1
answer
502
views
Are two equivariant maps between aspherical topological spaces homotopic?
Let $f: X \rightarrow Y$ be continuous, X,Y pathwise connected and aspherical (i.e. trivial higher homotopy groups). Then $\pi_1(X)$ acts on the universal cover of $X$ via deck transformations, and on ...
- 73
5
votes
1
answer
372
views
$\pi_{2n-1}(\operatorname{SO}(2n))$ element represents the tangent bundle $TS^{2n}$, not torsion and indivisible for $n>1$?
Question: Is the element $\alpha$ in $\pi_{2n-1}(\operatorname{SO}(2n))$ representing the tangent bundle $TS^{2n}$ of the sphere $S^{2n}$ indivisible and not torsion?
My understanding so far —
An $\...
- 10.5k
5
votes
1
answer
425
views
how to prove the $n$-times self-product of a map is null-homotopic
Let $k$ be a fixed positive integer and $\Sigma_k$ the $k$-th symmetric group. By letting $\Sigma_k$ permuting an orthonormal basis of a $k$-dimensional Euclidean space, there is a "regular ...
- 519
5
votes
1
answer
799
views
Exotic spheres detected in higher homotopy
Thinking about exotic 7-spheres, one can look at the maps $\cdots \rightarrow \Omega^2Diff(D^4, rel \space \partial) \rightarrow \Omega Diff(D^5, rel \space \partial) \rightarrow Diff(D^6, rel \space \...
- 2,734