All Questions
Tagged with gt.geometric-topology differential-topology
424 questions
12
votes
1
answer
567
views
+200
Fundamental group of the complement of a codimension two submanifold
Let $M$ denote an arbitrary smooth, closed, connected, n-dimensional manifold for $n\geq 4$. For every such $M$, does there exist a closed (not necessarily connected!) codimension two submanifold $S \...
- 1,174
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
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 ...
- 587
2
votes
0
answers
82
views
Is isoperimetric hypersurface unique up to homeomorphism?
Is there a Riemannian structure on $\mathbb{R}^n $with two non homeomorphic compact hypersurfaces $M,N$ such that both satisfy the isoperimetric inequality. I precisely meanthe following:
$$\...
- 356
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
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 ...
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
17
votes
0
answers
593
views
Must the number of smooth structures be countable or continuum?
Let $M$ be a manifold. Must the number of non-diffeomorphic smooth structures on $M$ be either countable or continuum? Could it be something in between when the continuum hypothesis fails?
Edit:
By ...
- 623
2
votes
1
answer
146
views
Extending diffeomorphisms between surfaces
Suppose we have two smooth compact oriented surfaces $M_1$ and $M_2$ with boundary,both of them have genus $g$, and there are orientation preserving diffeomorphisms $\psi_1, \psi_2, \cdots, \psi_n$, ...
- 23
3
votes
1
answer
268
views
If the complement of a knot $K$ fibers over the circle is $K$ necessarily fibered?
Let $K \subseteq S^3$ be a knot in the $3$-sphere and assume there exists a smooth map $p \colon S^3\setminus K \to S^1$ which is a fiber bundle.
For every point $\require{enclose} \enclose{...
- 195
3
votes
0
answers
86
views
Topological constraints on real algebraic surfaces from mean curvature constraints
The mean curvature of a real algebraic surface $S$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$ defined as the zeroes of a polynomial $P$ of degree $d$ with real coefficients in three variables is given by the formula
\begin{...
- 183
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
7
votes
2
answers
614
views
Locally conformally flat
Is there any example of a locally conformally flat manifold that is neither a space form nor a product of space forms?
- 71
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=[-\...
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
80
views
Continuous modification of tangent vector fields
Let $\Omega$ be an open subset of $S^2$, and assume that there exists a continuous tangent vector field $F(x)$ defined on $\bar{\Omega}\neq S^2$ with $|F(x)|=1$ for all $x\in \bar{\Omega}$. Suppose a ...
- 434
2
votes
0
answers
137
views
Are oriented-$h$-cobordant lens spaces orientation-preservingly homeomorphic?
Consider two three-dimensional lens spaces $N_1=L(p,q_1)$ and $N_2=L(p,q_2)$, and assume that there is an oriented-$h$-cobordism between them. In other words, we assume that there is an oriented four-...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
77
views
Representing geodesic compactifications of $S^1\times \Bbb R$ as analytic sections over base (analytic) foliations
Given a smooth nested set of "partial" foliations $\mathcal F_{\alpha}=\big\lbrace e^{\frac{\alpha}{\log x}}: \alpha \in (1/k,k), x\in(0,1),k\in [1,\infty) \big\rbrace$ of $X^2=(0,1)^2$ with ...
- 383
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 ...
- 491
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
14
votes
0
answers
376
views
Nonsmoothable 4-manifolds
Does there exist a closed connected nonsmoothable 4-manifold $M$ such that:
$\kappa(M)=0$ (Kirby-Siebenmann invariant vanishes, hence, there is no "classical" obstruction to smoothability) ...
- 12.3k
13
votes
1
answer
518
views
Impossibility of realizing codimension 1 homology classes by embedded non-orientable hypersurfaces
Suppose we have an $n+1$-dimensional compact closed oriented manifold $M$ and an $n$-dimensional integral homology class $[\Sigma]\in H_n(M,\mathbb{Z})$ on $M.$ Then is it true that $[\Sigma]$ mod $2$ ...
- 587
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
12
votes
1
answer
747
views
Isotopic diffeomorphisms of the sphere
Assume that $f:\mathbb{S}^n\to\mathbb{S}^n$ is a diffeomorphism and assume that there is an orientation preserving diffeomorphism $F:\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\to\mathbb{R}^{n+1}$ such that $F|_{\mathbb{S}^n}=f$...
- 28k
5
votes
1
answer
415
views
A question about the existence of spin maps
Let $M, N$ be two smooth manifolds, not necessarily spin. My question is the following:
How can we construct a non-constant spin map $f:M\to N$ of degree zero?
Here spin map means that $f$ preserves ...
- 563
0
votes
1
answer
376
views
Relation between trivial tangent bundle $\Leftrightarrow$ certain characteristic classes of tangent bundle vanish [closed]
We know that
framing structure means the trivialization of tangent bundle of manifold $M$.
string structure means the trivialization of Stiefel-Whitney class $w_1$, $w_2$ and half of the first ...
- 447
2
votes
0
answers
147
views
Extension of isotopies
In what follows $M$ will be a manifold (without boundary, for simplicity) and $C\subseteq M$ will denote a compact subset. In the paper Deformations of spaces of imbeddings Edwards and Kirby prove the ...
- 641
0
votes
0
answers
120
views
Topological transversality by dimension
We know that to achieve transverality in the topological category, for example to make a continuous map into a manifold transverse to a topological submanifold, we need the existence of micro normal ...
- 803
0
votes
2
answers
348
views
If a graph embedded on a surface is divided by a curve into a right and left that do not intersect can it be embedded on a surface of smaller genus?
Suppose we have a graph $G$ embedded on a (smooth, orientable etc) surface $Q$. Suppose there is a cycle $C$ of $G$ such that
$C$ does not separate our surface $Q$ into two connected regions and ...
- 111
4
votes
1
answer
453
views
Detecting a "bad map" in Fintushel-Stern knot surgery
Background
Let $X$ be a simply-connected smooth 4-manifold which contains a smoothly embedded torus $T$ with trivial normal bundle (in other words, $T^2\times D^2\subset X$). Let $K$ be a knot in $S^3$...
- 159
4
votes
1
answer
192
views
Version of pseudo-isotopy $\neq$ isotopy for $(n+1)$-framings
Let $M$ be a closed $n$-manifold and $\varphi$ be a self-diffeomorphisms of $M$.
There is a bordism from $M$ to itself given by $M\times [0,1]$ with the identification $M \cong M \times \{0\}$ induced ...
- 890
16
votes
0
answers
425
views
Is the oriented bordism ring generated by homogeneous spaces?
I am trying to find a Riemannian geometrically well-understood set of generators of the oriented bordism ring, including the torsion parts. By a set of generators, I mean that the set generates the ...
- 587
6
votes
0
answers
209
views
"Inclusion" between higher categories of framed bordisms?
Let $\mathrm{Bord}_n$ be the bordism $(\infty, n)$-category of unoriented manifolds.
It can be viewed as an $(\infty, n+1)$-category whose $n+1$-morphisms are equivalences.
If $n$ is large enough, ...
- 890
21
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Intuition behind manifolds which are homeomorphic but not diffeomorphic
Popular articles on mathematics often explain the difference between homeomorphism and diffeomorphism with statements like - "A rectangle is homeomorphic to the circle but not diffeomorphic to it&...
- 463
1
vote
0
answers
160
views
Higher dimensional Seifert surfaces and link numbers of higher knots
In 3-manifold topology, the notion of Seifert surface is well known. It is then used to define link numbers of knots.
Question: Consider embedding $N^n \rightarrow M^{2n+1}$ of n-dimensional manifold $...
- 593
0
votes
0
answers
329
views
Pushforwards in vector bundles over a topological spaces
I have been reading the discussion from Pushforward and pullback..
I understand that it is quite straight forward to construct a pullback of a vector bundle. In the discussion it is clear that if we ...
- 615
2
votes
0
answers
146
views
Explicit S-duality map
$\DeclareMathOperator{\Th}{Th}$
The Thom space of a closed manifold $M$ ($\Th(M)$) is the $S$-dual to $M_+ (=M \cup \{pt\})$. Let $M$ be embedded in $\mathbf R^{n+k}$. I found the duality map from $S^...
13
votes
1
answer
386
views
Realizing integral homology classes on non-orientable manifolds by embedded orientable submanifolds
Let $M^m$ denote a compact, non-orientable smooth manifold and $\nu$ an integral homology class of dimension $n$. I am interested in understanding the representability of $\nu$ by embedded, orientable ...
- 587
11
votes
1
answer
331
views
Embedded 2-tori in $S^1\times S^4$
I am interested in understanding the smooth isotopy class of embedded 2-tori in $S^1\times S^4$. Is it true that every two homotopic embedded 2-tori in $S^1\times S^4$ are smoothly isotopic? It would ...
- 129
20
votes
2
answers
902
views
Integral homology classes that can be represented by immersed submanifolds but not embedded submanifolds
Let $M$ be an $m$-dimensional compact closed smooth manifold and $z\in H_n(M,\mathbb{Z})$ an $n$-dimensional integral homology class, with $m>n.$ Does there exist a pair of $M$ and $z$ so that $z$ ...
- 587
12
votes
0
answers
419
views
Is the Lipschitz structure on $\mathbb{S}^4$ unique?
Sullivan [S] proved that on any $n$-dimensional, $n\neq 4$, topological manifold there is a unique Lipschitz structure. Although it is generally accepted result, it seems that the proof lacks some ...
- 28k
1
vote
1
answer
256
views
Reference request and prerequisites for understanding the Sphere Theorem and the Loop Theorem in 3-manifold theory
As part of my directed studies project, my advisor has suggested that I completely understand the proof of the Sphere Theorem and the Loop Theorem in 3-manifold theory and explain it to him. I have ...
- 131
9
votes
1
answer
381
views
Mapping class groups are finitely generated
Let $N$ be a compact smooth manifold. By "mapping class group" I will mean
$$\pi_0 \operatorname{Diff}(N)$$
i.e. the isotopy-classes of diffeomorphisms of $N$.
My presumption is that this ...
- 44.4k
8
votes
1
answer
217
views
Integral homology classes of which no multiples admit embedded representatives with trivial normal bundle
Let $M$ be a closed smooth manifold of dimension $n$ and $z\in H_l(M,\mathbb{Z})$ a $k$-dimensional integral homology class. Theorem II.4 of Thom's classical 1954 paper states that for $l< n/2$ or $...
- 587
2
votes
0
answers
142
views
Characterization of the homotopy type of the $C^\infty$ topology
One of the subtle aspects of geometric topology is the interaction of function space topologies and homotopy theory. There are many reasonable topologies to put on the space of smooth embeddings $\...
- 5,839
6
votes
1
answer
328
views
Does $\overline{\mathbb{C}P^2 \setminus B^4}$ embed (smoothly/topologically) in $\mathbb R^5$?
Question: Does $\overline{\mathbb{CP}^2 \setminus B^4}$ (that is the closure of complex projective plane minus a 4-ball) embed (smoothly/topologically/piecewise linearly) in $\mathbb R^5$?
Background: ...
- 976
6
votes
0
answers
133
views
S¹ action on a manifold which generates "non-torsion" loop in diffeomorphism group
I am interested in $S^1$-actions on smooth, closed, and oriented manifolds $M$. I suppose that the action has a fixed point (I also suppose $M$ is connected). Let $\operatorname{Diff}(M)$ denote the ...
- 959
10
votes
3
answers
684
views
Doubles of 2-handlebodies
Let $X$ denote a $4$-manifold with boundary obtained by adding $k_1$ $1$-handles to $B^4$ and $k_2$ many $2$-handles to the resulting manifold i.e. $X$ is an arbitrary $4$-dimensional $2$-handlebody. ...
- 1,174
2
votes
0
answers
127
views
Foliation of $X$ by once punctured planes without any singularities
Let $n=3.$
Take $X=(0,1)^n.$ Fix points $p,q$ s.t. $\text{dist}_n(p,q)=\sqrt{n}.$ Construct a smooth regular foliation of $X$ with $(n-1)-$dim. leaves which are topologically $(0,\sqrt{n})\times S^{n-...
- 383
13
votes
1
answer
459
views
Compact closed aspherical manifolds with vanishing second homology in all the covering spaces
I wonder if there exists a compact closed smooth aspherical manifold $M$ of dimension at least $4$, so that for any covering space $\tilde{M}$ over $M,$ we always have $H_2(\tilde{M},\mathbb{Z})=0$ ...
- 587