All Questions
Tagged with gt.geometric-topology at.algebraic-topology
1,145 questions
4
votes
0
answers
160
views
Cell structure on the function space $\operatorname{Hom}(X,Y)$
By the Theorem of Milnor in his paper "On spaces having the homotopy type of a CW-complex", the function space $\operatorname{Hom}(X,Y)$ (with the compact-open topology) is homotopy ...
- 12.9k
10
votes
1
answer
659
views
Are there any tests for knowing whether a topological space admits a CW structure?
We know that for n $\ge$ 5, a manifold admits a piecewise linear structure if and only if its Kirby-Siebenmann class vanish and Galewski and Stern showed the existence of a similar invariant to test ...
- 66.3k
2
votes
1
answer
380
views
Is it always possible to connect the endpoints of a smooth injective path, so the resulting path is smooth, closed and simple?
Motivation
The motivation for this question arises from the following problem: Is there a closed, simple, and infinitely differentiable path on the (complex) plane such that every straight line has a ...
- 91.8k
3
votes
0
answers
119
views
Signature vs commensurability
If a closed oriented $4n$-dimensional manifold $M$ has an orientation-reversing homeomorphism, then the signature $\sigma(M)$ of the intersection form vanishes. More generally, $\sigma(M) = 0$ if $M$ ...
- 41
4
votes
0
answers
177
views
Basis of topology on space of properly embedded smooth manifolds
In A Short Exposition of the Madsen-Weiss Theorem, Hatcher discusses (starting at p.6) a basis for a topology on the space $\mathcal{C}^n$, the space of all smooth oriented $d$-dimensional ...
- 141
8
votes
1
answer
224
views
Can increasing the winding number of a 2-cell make a CW complex embeddable?
Let $X$ be a 2-dimensional CW complex and let $c\subset X$ be a 2-cell attached along a simple closed loop $\gamma$ in the 1-skeleton $X^{(1)}$.
For a natural number $n\ge 2$ consider the operation of ...
- 976
5
votes
1
answer
378
views
Why is this Brieskorn manifold a rational homology sphere?
In Némethi's book "Normal surface singularities", Example 5.1.17, there is a formula to find the Seifert invariants of a Brieskorn complete intersection $\Sigma(a_1,...,a_n)$. I am ...
- 197
25
votes
1
answer
582
views
Does every oriented $3$-dimensional submanifold of $\mathbb{R}^6$ bound an oriented $4$-dimensional submanifold?
In my recent research, I encountered the following problem about embeddings. Let $M^3$ be a closed compact oriented smooth $3$-dimensional submanifold of $\mathbb{R}^6$. Does there exist a compact ...
- 161
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
When does a CW-complex of dimension 2 embed in $\Bbb R^4$?
Let $X$ be a finite CW-complex of dimension two having just one 0-cell
(+ finitely many 1-cells + finitely many 2-cells).
Is it true that X can be embedded in $\Bbb R^4$?
If true, is it due to ...
- 13.6k
9
votes
0
answers
159
views
Is there a closed aspherical manifold with infinitely many symmetries and without essential immersed tori?
The precise question is the following:
Is there a closed aspherical manifold $M$ of dimension $n\geq 3$ such that Out($\pi_1(M)$) is infinite and $\pi_1(M)$ does not contain $\mathbb Z \times \mathbb ...
- 10.5k
60
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Torsion in homology or fundamental group of subsets of Euclidean 3-space
Here's a problem I've found entertaining.
Is it possible to find a subset of 3-dimensional Euclidean space such that its homology groups (integer coefficients) or one of its fundamental groups is not ...
- 4,713
7
votes
1
answer
435
views
What are the covering spaces of $\mathbb{Q}$?
Let $X = \mathbb{Q}$, topologized as a subset of the real line. Is there a reasonable description of the covering spaces of $X$?
Here is something more precise. One way of constructing covers $p: \...
- 55.9k
5
votes
0
answers
92
views
For spaces $U$ and discrete sets $I,J$, are maps $f\colon U \times I \rightarrow U \times J$ commuting with the projection to $U$ covering spaces?
Let $U$ be a topological space, let $I$ and $J$ be discrete sets, and let $f\colon U \times I \rightarrow U \times J$ be a continuous map that commutes with the projection onto the first factor. In ...
- 395
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 ...
- 11.1k
5
votes
1
answer
380
views
Proving the Cork Theorem
I am reading Kirby's paper paper "Akbulut's corks and h-cobordisms of smooth simply connected 4-manifolds" and I have a question about how to actually prove the cork theorem from the results ...
- 1,040
8
votes
1
answer
222
views
Non-additivity of intersection forms
Given two oriented $4k$-manifolds $X_1$ and $X_2$, Novikov additivity tells us that
$$
\sigma(X_1 \sharp X_2) = \sigma(X_1) + \sigma(X_2).$$
More generally, if we glue the boundaries of two such ...
1
vote
0
answers
61
views
Map from simplex to itself that preserves sub-simplices: revisited
Here it is proved that, if $f$ is a continuous map from an $n$-simplex $\Delta$ to itself, that maps each sub-simplex of $\Delta$ to itself, then $f$ must be onto $\Delta$ (surjective).
I would like ...
- 3,549
4
votes
1
answer
253
views
Intersection pairing on non-compact surface
Let $S$ be a smooth oriented connected $2$-manifold. We have an algebraic intersection pairing $\omega\colon H_1(S) \times H_1(S) \rightarrow \mathbb{Z}$. If $S$ is compact, then this is ...
- 23.5k
14
votes
0
answers
326
views
When can we extend a diffeomorphism from a surface to its neighborhood as identity?
Let $M$ be a closed and simply-connected 4-manifold and let $f: M^4 \to M^4$ be a diffeomorphism such that $f^*: H^*(M;\mathbb{Z})\to H^*(M;\mathbb{Z})$ is the identity map. Moreover, let $\Sigma \...
- 3,751
13
votes
1
answer
518
views
Low dimensional homotopy groups of $\operatorname{Top}(4)$
$\DeclareMathOperator\Top{Top}$I would like to compute $\pi_3\Top(4)$ and $\pi_4\Top(4)$. It is known that $\Top(4)/O(4) \rightarrow \Top/O$ is 5-connected and
$$
\pi_k(\Top/O) =
\begin{cases}
...
- 8,167
2
votes
0
answers
116
views
Generalized Stokes's theorem and the relationship of volume to surface area of objects of arbitrary genus
In this post I saw that it could be explained with the Generalized Stokes's theorem why the derivative of the area of a circle is equal to the boundary of the circle (the circumference):
$$C=\frac{d}{...
- 131
1
vote
0
answers
48
views
Connected pre-images spanning $n$-cubes under dimension reducing maps
Let $I^n = [0,1]^n$ be the $n$-dimensional hypercube. For a continuous function $f: I^n \to \mathbb{R}^m$ with $m < n$, we're interested in the existence of points $p \in \mathbb{R}^m$ whose ...
- 63.9k
3
votes
1
answer
431
views
Detecting a PL sphere and decompositions
Question 1. A PL $n$-sphere is a pure simplicial complex that is a triangulation of the $n$-sphere. I'm looking for a computer algorithm that gives a Yes/No answer to whether a given simplicial ...
- 903
2
votes
1
answer
179
views
Model structures on simplicial presheaves of piecewise-linear manifolds
Let $\mathbf{PL}$ denote the category of piecewise-linear manifolds. The goal is to embed $\mathbf{PL}$ into a category of simplicial presheaves, endow it with a model structure, and then localize it ...
- 37.8k
8
votes
0
answers
118
views
Defining convex sums locally on the sphere?
$S^1$ and the torus $T^2$ are spaces in which convex combinations don't make sense globally but do locally. Despite their standard representations in $\mathbf{R}^2$ and $\mathbf{R}^3$ respectively not ...
- 637
4
votes
1
answer
276
views
Preserving simple-connectedness under intersection complexes
Given a simplicial complex $X$, and a family of its subcomplexes $\{U_i\}_{i\in I}$, we define the corresponding intersection complex to be the simplicial complex $X_U$ with vertex set $I$ where $A \...
- 55.9k
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 ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
341
views
Induced fiber sequence and Eilenberg–MacLane space in Whitehead tower of $BO$
In Whitehead tower of $BO$, there is a induced fiber sequence:
1.
$$
Z_2 \to B SO \to BO \overset{w_1}{\rightarrow} B Z_2
$$
How does this map $\overset{w_1}{\rightarrow}$ from $BO$ to $B Z_2$?
...
- 19.3k
27
votes
1
answer
4k
views
connectivity of the group of orientation-preserving homeomorphisms of the sphere
In the paper "Local Contractions and a Theorem of Poincare" Sternberg has mentioned the following question which was open when the paper was written:
Is the group of orientation-preserving ...
- 1,446
8
votes
1
answer
557
views
Relation between 16 $\mathbf{CP}^2$ and $\overline{K3}$
In bordism theory and algebraic topology, 4d spin bordism group is generated by $K3$ surface, while 4d $SO$ bordism group generated by $\mathbf{CP}^2$.
$K3$'s 4-manifold signature is $- 16$
and $\...
- 663
6
votes
1
answer
373
views
Fivebrane bordism $\Omega_d^{\mathrm{Fivebrane}}$
$\newcommand{\Fr}{\mathrm{Fr}}\newcommand{\Fivebrane}{\mathrm{Fivebrane}}\newcommand{\String}{\mathrm{String}}\DeclareMathOperator\Spin{Spin}\DeclareMathOperator\SO{SO}\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}$What ...
- 35.5k
15
votes
1
answer
541
views
Where is the Steenrod Realization problem at?
I'm wondering if there is a more modern reference out there for the Steenrod Realization Problem than the book of Connor and Floyd?
Realizing homology classes in a manifold via embedded submanifolds, ...
- 12.9k
1
vote
0
answers
57
views
extendability of fibre bundles on manifolds with same dimensions
Let $M$ be an $m$-manifold. Let $M'\subseteq M$, where
$M'$ is also an $m$-manifold.
Let $N$ be an $n$-manifold. Let $N'\subseteq N$, where
$N'$ is also an $n$-manifold.
Suppose there is fibre ...
- 123
0
votes
1
answer
135
views
Local embedding and disk in domain perturbation
Consider say $M=(\mathbb{S}^1\times\dotsb\times \mathbb{S}^1)-q$ ($n$-times). Assume that $B$ is an $n$ disk in $M$ (for instance, thinking of $\mathbb{S}^1$ as gluing $-1$ and $1$, the cube $B=[-\...
- 508
1
vote
0
answers
132
views
The equation of cubic surface
I was studying the nature of singularities of cubic hypersurface on $\Bbb P^{n+1}$. The chosen form was
$$f(x_0,x_1 \dots , x_{n+1})=x_0^3+x_1^3+\dotsb+x_{n+1}^3-c(x_0+x_1+\dotsb+x_{n+1} )^3=0.$$
I ...
- 12.9k
3
votes
3
answers
537
views
Fundamental group of a generalized connected sum
Let $M$ and $N$ be two $n$ dimensional connected closed manifolds with $n \ge 3$, and let $S$ be a $(n-1)$ dimensional closed submanifold common to $M$ and $N$. Consider the connected sum of $M$ and $...
- 25k
0
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Identifying the orientation bundle uniquely
A nonorientable surface $S$ is homeomorphic to the $k$-th connected sum
$\mathbb{R}P^2 \sharp \ldots \sharp \mathbb{R}P^2$.
For each nonorientable surface $S$ there exists an oriented $2$-fold ...
- 1,446
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
5
votes
1
answer
430
views
Linking number and intersection number
Consider a disjoint union of two circles $A$ and $B$ smoothly embedded in $\mathbb{R}^3$ with linking number more than $1$. Suppose we know that there exists a disc $D$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$ such that $\...
- 125
0
votes
1
answer
328
views
Relationship between quotient CW-complexes after attaching cells
I have been trying to prove the following simple-looking result which I require for some work in low-dimensional topology. I expect it is likely true and in a textbook somewhere so any reference or ...
- 20k
4
votes
0
answers
184
views
Obstruction to finding a Whitney disk
Let $p,q\geq 3$ be integers. Let $M$ be a compact oriented smooth $(p+q)$-manifold and $P$ and $Q$ compact submanifolds of dimensions $p$ and $q$ intersecting transversely. Assume that $M,P$ and $Q$ ...
- 10.4k
13
votes
1
answer
580
views
Identifying two definitions of orientation on a vector space
Let $V$ be an $n$-dimensional real vector space. Here are two definitions of an orientation on $V$:
A generator of the $1$-dimensional vector space $\wedge^n V$, up to multiplication by positive ...
- 10.8k
2
votes
1
answer
130
views
Space of the trivial long knot in the thickened surface
Let $F$ be a compact oriented surface and $x_0\in F$ a basepoint. Consider the set $\mathcal E=Emb_0(I,F\times I)$ of embeddings $\sigma\colon I\hookrightarrow F\times I$, $\sigma(\partial I)=\{x_0\}\...
- 357
2
votes
0
answers
414
views
$$ \left(\frac{\text{Man}^{\text{fr}}}{\text{Cobordism}},\coprod,\times \right)\simeq \left((\text{Fin}^{\simeq},\coprod)^{\text{gp}},\times\right)?$$ [closed]
If we combine a theorem of Pontryagin and the Barratt-Priddy-Quillen theorem we get that both sides of
$$
\left(\frac{\mathrm{Man}^{\mathrm{fr}}}{\mathrm{Cobordism}},\coprod,\times \right)\simeq \left(...
- 705
35
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Intuition behind Alexander duality
I was wondering if anyone could offer some intuition for why Alexander duality holds. Of course, the proof is easy enough to check, and it is also easy to work out many examples by hand. However, I ...
- 4,898
27
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Need for support and guidance for my near future as a PhD student (or: has stable homotopy theory become an overly algebraic theory?)
The question in brackets in the title is my main mathematical question, but does not reflect my initial motivation for writing this post. It is in fact above all for personal reasons that I'm ...
- 30.3k
7
votes
1
answer
292
views
Computing $\pi_1$ of the complement of a non-singular plane curve
The following is a well-known fact:
Theorem. The fundamental group of the complement of a non-singular curve of degree $d$ in the complex projective plane is cyclic of order $d$.
This was further ...
- 3,599
3
votes
1
answer
200
views
Does the group of compactly supported diffeomorphisms have the homotopy type of a CW complex?
It is known that the group of diffeomorphisms of a compact manifold with the natural $C^{\infty}$ topology has the homotopy type of a countable CW complex. See for instance this thread: Is the space ...
- 5,596
3
votes
1
answer
132
views
Geodesic laminations on the 4-punctured sphere
Let $S_{0,4}$ be the 4-punctured sphere equipped with a hyperbolic metric of finite volume (thus all punctures are cusps). Consider $\gamma$ to be a simple geodesic of $S_{0,4}$ (not necessarily ...
- 28.2k
5
votes
0
answers
158
views
Representing some odd multiples of integral homology classes by embedded submanifolds
Consider an $m$-dimensional compact closed orientable smooth manifold $M$ and an $n$-dimensional integral homology class $[\Sigma]$ on $M$, with $1 \le n \le m-1$. Then does there exist an odd integer ...
- 587