Questions tagged [kt.k-theory-and-homology]
Algebraic and topological K-theory, relations with topology, commutative algebra, and operator algebras
112
questions
50
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0
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Atiyah's paper on complex structures on $S^6$
M. Atiyah has posted a preprint on arXiv on the non-existence of complex structure on the sphere $S^6$.
https://arxiv.org/abs/1610.09366
It relies on the topological $K$-theory $KR$ and in ...
98
votes
10
answers
23k
views
Motivation for algebraic K-theory?
I'm looking for a big-picture treatment of algebraic K-theory and why it's important. I've seen various abstract definitions (Quillen's plus and Q constructions, some spectral constructions like ...
33
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What are the "correct" conventions for defining Clifford algebras?
I have three related questions about conventions for defining Clifford algebras.
1) Let $(V, q)$ be a quadratic vector space. Should the Clifford algebra $\text{Cliff}(V, q)$ have defining ...
14
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Finite dimensional real division algebras
A celebrated theorem of Milnor and Kervaire asserts that any finite dimensional (not necessarily associative, unital) division algebra over the real numbers has dimension 1,2,4 or 8. This result is ...
12
votes
1
answer
694
views
"The" kronecker foliation or "a" kronecker foliation?
Consider the following two foliations of torus:
1)The Kronecker foliation with slope $\sqrt{2}$
2)The Kronecker foliation with slope $\pi$
As I learn from the literature, these two foliations are ...
57
votes
2
answers
7k
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What arithmetic information is contained in the algebraic K-theory of the integers
I'm always looking for applications of homotopy theory to other fields, mostly as a way to make my talks more interesting or to motivate the field to non-specialists. It seems like most talks about ...
31
votes
6
answers
2k
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Bass' stable range of $\mathbf Z[X]$
Let $n$ be a positive integer and $A$ be a commutative ring. The ring $A$ is said to be of Bass stable range $\mathrm{sr}(A)\leq n$ if for $a, a_1, \dots, a_n \in A$ one has the following implication:
...
14
votes
2
answers
2k
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Motivic cohomology and cohomology of Milnor K-theory sheaf
Let $X$ be a smooth variety over a field $k$. (Assume $k$ has characteristic 0 if it helps; in fact I'd be happy to assume that $k$ is a finite extension of either $\mathbf{Q}$ or $\mathbf{Q}_p$).
...
5
votes
2
answers
588
views
Topological K-theory for commutative C*-algebras
It is in some sense folklore that given two arbitrary abelian groups $G,H$ one can find a $C^*$ algebra $A$ such that $K_0(A)=G$ and $K_1(A)=H$. My question is the following: what is known in the case ...
171
votes
7
answers
18k
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Proofs of Bott periodicity
K-theory sits in an intersection of a whole bunch of different fields, which has resulted in a huge variety of proof techniques for its basic results. For instance, here's a scattering of proofs of ...
88
votes
5
answers
7k
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Algorithm or theory of diagram chasing
One of the standard parts of homological algebra is "diagram chasing", or equivalent arguments with universal properties in abelian categories. Is there a rigorous theory of diagram chasing, and ...
81
votes
3
answers
12k
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Intuitive explanation for the Atiyah-Singer index theorem
My question is related to the question Explanation for the Chern Character to this question about Todd classes, and to this question about the Atiyah-Singer index theorem.
I'm trying to learn the ...
73
votes
1
answer
8k
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Derived Functors Versus Spectral Sequences
Let $A{\buildrel F\over\rightarrow}B{\buildrel G\over\rightarrow}C$ be additive functors between abelian categories.
Hartshorne, in Proposition 5.4 of Residues and Duality, constructs the obvious ...
54
votes
6
answers
6k
views
What happened to online articles published in K-theory (Springer journal)?
As most people probably know, the journal "K-theory" used to be published by Springer, but was discontinued after the editorial board resigned around 2007. The editors (or many of them) started the ...
48
votes
0
answers
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What is the current understanding regarding complex structures on the 6-sphere?
In October 2016, Atiyah famously posted a preprint to the arXiv, "The Non-Existent Complex 6-Sphere" containing a very brief proof $S^6$ admits no complex structure, which I immediately read and ...
35
votes
5
answers
5k
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Understanding a quip from Gian-Carlo Rota
In the chapter "A Mathematician's Gossip" of his renowned Indiscrete Thoughts, Rota launches into a diatribe concerning the "replete injustice" of misplaced credit and "forgetful hero-worshiping" of ...
26
votes
1
answer
1k
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Group with finite outer automorphism group and large center
Does there exist a finitely generated group $G$ with outer automorphism group $\mathrm{Out}(G)$ finite, whose center contains infinitely many elements of order $p$ for some prime $p$?
A motivation is ...
26
votes
1
answer
4k
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Voevodsky's counterexample to the existence of a motivic t-structure
I have been trying to unravel some of the known relationships between various ideas on mixed motives. I find the literature quite hard to follow -"from experts, for experts".
Voevodsky in "...
23
votes
3
answers
3k
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Plus construction considerations.
In order to realise the K-groups of a ring as the homotopy groups of some space associated to that ring, Quillen proposed the following (roughly-sketched) construction:
Recall that $K_1(R) = GL(R)/E(...
18
votes
3
answers
2k
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Can eta invariant be written in terms of topological data?
The eta invariant was introduced by Atiyah, Patodi, and Singer. It roughly measures the asymmetry of the spectrum of a self-adjoint elliptic operator with respect to the origin. In the paper "Exotic ...
14
votes
1
answer
943
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Characteristic classes for odd $K$-theory
There are different models of odd $K$-theory. In one case,
one takes the group $U=\lim\limits_{\longrightarrow}U(n)$ as classifying space. Similarly, if $\mathcal U$ denotes the unitary group of a ...
14
votes
1
answer
784
views
Is there a category whose isomorphisms are precisely the simple homotopy equivalences?
If we start with the category of finite complexes and continuous maps, and then identify two morphisms iff they are homotopic, we get the homotopy category of finite complexes, and it is trivial to ...
13
votes
2
answers
3k
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Is every homology theory given by a spectrum?
Let $E$ be a spectrum. For any CW complex $X$, define $h_*=\pi_i(E\wedge X)$. Then we know that $h_*$ form a homology theory. In other words, there functors satisfy the homotopy invariance, maps a ...
13
votes
3
answers
3k
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Zero divisor conjecture and idempotent conjecture
Let $G$ be a torsion-free group and $C$ the ring of complex numbers. The zero divisor (idempotent, resp.) conjecture is that there is no nontrivial zerodivisor (idempotent, resp.) in $CG$.
The wiki ...
10
votes
3
answers
3k
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The localisation long exact sequence in K-theory over an arbitrary base
If I work over a field k,write D for the formal disk k[[t]] and Dx for the formal punctured disk k((t)), then there is an associated long exact sequence in algebraic K-theory
... Kn+1(Dx) --> Kn(k) --...
10
votes
1
answer
766
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Morava $K$-theory of $K( \mathbb{Z}/p^2)$
The $p$-adic completion of $K( \mathbb{F}_p)$ is known (by Quillen's calculation) to be $H \mathbb{Z}_p$; in particular, $K(\mathbb{F}_p)$ is acyclic with respect to all Morava $K$-theories $K(n), 0 &...
9
votes
0
answers
366
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Which of the physics dualities are closest in essence to the Spanier-Whitehead duality (with a subquestion)?
First of all, what I want to ask is slightly more elaborate than what stands in the title (hence the subquestion).
I am telling this since as it is, the title contains a meaningful question, but it ...
9
votes
1
answer
781
views
The connective $k$-theory cohomology of Eilenberg-MacLane spectra
Consider the connective $K$-theory spectrum $ku$. Let $H\mathbb{Z}$ be the Eilenberg-MacLane spectrum and $H\mathbb{F}_p$ be the mod-$p$ Eilenberg-MacLane spectrum.
Is it known what $ku^{*}(H\...
8
votes
1
answer
655
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Equivalent fomulations of Bott periodicity
Is there an easy way to see the equivalence of the two statements of Bott periodicity.
$$BU \times \mathbb{Z} \simeq \Omega^2BU$$ and
$$K(X)\otimes K(S^2) \cong K(X\times S^2)$$
8
votes
1
answer
432
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Spin cobordism v.s. KO theory in low or in any dimensions
It seems that from this webpage, the spin cobordism is equivalent to KO theory in low dimension.
If we denote the $p$-torsion part (mean $\mathbb{Z}_{p^n}$ for some $n$) $$\Omega_d(BG)_p.$$
...
8
votes
1
answer
868
views
Is Margolis's axiomatisation conjecture still alive?
The construction of the category of finite spectra is easy, but there are different constructions of the whole homotopy category of spectra, all of which leading to the same result up to an ...
6
votes
2
answers
2k
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On two spectral sequences for the cohomology of a double complex
For a (bounded) double complex (of abelian groups or vector spaces) one can consider two spectral sequences that converge to the cohomology of the totalization: one can first compute either the ...
5
votes
1
answer
215
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commutative diagram with $K_{i+1}(A)\to K_i(A\rtimes_{\rho} \mathbb{R})$ (for $C^*$-algebras)
I have a question about a proof in Rosenberg and Schochet's paper "the Künneth theorem and the Universal Coefficient Theorem for Kasparov's generalized K-functor", proposition 2.6. First of all, the ...
2
votes
1
answer
261
views
Are these vector bundles, trivial bundle?
We identify the vector space tensor product $\mathbb{R}^{m} \otimes \mathbb{R}^{n}$ with $\mathbb{R}^{mn}$
Let $X$ be the space of all non zero simple tensors $X=\{a\otimes b \mid a\in \...
163
votes
38
answers
27k
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Short exact sequences every mathematician should know
I'd like to have a big-list of "great" short exact sequences that capture some vital phenomena. I'm learning module theory, so I'd like to get a good stock of examples to think about. An ...
71
votes
3
answers
7k
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Where do all these projection formulas come from?
I have been intrigued for a long time by the formal similarity of results from different areas of mathematics. Here are some examples.
Set theory Given a map $f:X\to Y$ and subsets $X' \subset X, Y'\...
61
votes
3
answers
5k
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Atiyah-Singer theorem-a big picture
So far I made several attempts to really learn Atiyah-Singer theorem. In order
to really understand this result a rather broad background is required: you need
to know analysis (pseudodifferential ...
57
votes
5
answers
8k
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Why are spectral sequences so ubiquitous?
I sort of understand the definition of a spectral sequence and am aware that it is an indispensable tool in modern algebraic geometry and topology. But why is this the case, and what can one do with ...
53
votes
4
answers
13k
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Explanation for the Chern character
The Chern character is often seen as just being a convenient way to get a ring homomorphism from K-theory to (ordinary) cohomology.
The most usual definition in that case seems to just be to define ...
51
votes
5
answers
5k
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What (if anything) unifies stable homotopy theory and Grothendieck's six functors formalism?
I know of two very general frameworks for describing generalizations of what a "cohomology theory" should be: Grothendieck's "six functors", and the theory of spectra.
In the former, one assigns to ...
36
votes
5
answers
6k
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What is the equivariant cohomology of a group acting on itself by conjugation?
This question makes sense for any topological group $G$, but I'd particularly like to know the answer for $G$ a compact, connected Lie group.
$G$ acts on itself by conjugation. One has the equivariant ...
36
votes
0
answers
1k
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Functor that maps to both $KO^n$ and $KO^{-n}$
(my question is also meaningful for complex K-theory, but since Kn(X) is always isomorphic to K-n(X), it's less interesting)
I start by recalling the analytic definition of KO-theory:
The following ...
27
votes
0
answers
1k
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Computational complexity of topological K-theory
I am a novice with K-theory trying to understand what is and what is not possible.
Given a finite simplicial complex $X$, there of course elementary ways to quickly compute the cohomology of $X$ with ...
23
votes
4
answers
3k
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What are Picard categories, where can I learn more about them, and why should I care to?
I have the category-theoretic background of the occasional stroll through MacLane's text, so excuse my ignorance in this regard. I was trying to learn all that I could on the subject of tensor ...
23
votes
1
answer
445
views
To what extent can we characterise the image of the topological Chern character?
For a finite CW complex $X$, the Chern character gives an isomorphism
of finite-dimensional vector spaces:
$$
ch : K^*(X)\otimes \mathbb{Q} \to H^*(X, \mathbb{Q}).
$$
The vector space $V = H^*(X, \...
23
votes
3
answers
2k
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Brauer Groups and K-Theory
Is there some a priori reason why we should expect the Brauer group of real [complex] super vector spaces to be closely related to periodicity in real [complex] K-theory? By "a priori" I mean a proof ...
23
votes
0
answers
569
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What is the symmetric monoidal functor from Clifford algebras to invertible K-module spectra?
There ought to be a symmetric monoidal functor from the symmetric monoidal $2$-groupoid whose objects are Morita-invertible real superalgebras (precisely the Clifford algebras), morphisms are ...
21
votes
2
answers
2k
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Algebraic K-theory of the group ring of the fundamental group
I know of two places where $K_{*}(\mathbb{Z}\pi_{1}(X))$ (the algebraic $K$-theory of the group ring of the fundamental group) makes an appearance in algebraic topology.
The first is the Wall ...
19
votes
2
answers
649
views
Besides $F_q$, for which rings $R$ is $K_i(R)$ completely known?
With the exception of finite fields and "trivial examples", which rings $R$ are such that Quillen's algebraic $K$ groups $K_i(R)$ are completely known for all $i\geq 0$?
Here, by "trivial examples" ...
18
votes
1
answer
981
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Which motivic cohomology groups of complex numbers are non-torsion?
I would like to know which motivic cohomology groups of complex numbers are non-zero and ("better") non-torsion, i.e., for which $(i,j)$ the $i$th cohomology of the complex ${\mathbb{Q}}(j)$ over $\...