%!TEX root = ../blob1.tex

\def\xxpar#1#2{\smallskip\noindent{\bf #1} {\it #2} \smallskip}

\section{$n$-categories (maybe)}

\label{sec:ncats}

\nn{experimental section.  maybe this should be rolled into other sections.

maybe it should be split off into a separate paper.}

\subsection{Definition of $n$-categories}

Before proceeding, we need more appropriate definitions of $n$-categories, 

$A_\infty$ $n$-categories, modules for these, and tensor products of these modules.

(As is the case throughout this paper, by ``$n$-category" we mean

a weak $n$-category with strong duality.)

Consider first ordinary $n$-categories.

We need a set (or sets) of $k$-morphisms for each $0\le k \le n$.

We must decide on the ``shape" of the $k$-morphisms.

Some $n$-category definitions model $k$-morphisms on the standard bihedron (interval, bigon, ...).

Other definitions have a separate set of 1-morphisms for each interval $[0,l] \sub \r$, 

a separate set of 2-morphisms for each rectangle $[0,l_1]\times [0,l_2] \sub \r^2$,

and so on.

(This allows for strict associativity.)

Still other definitions \nn{need refs for all these; maybe the Leinster book}

model the $k$-morphisms on more complicated combinatorial polyhedra.

We will allow our $k$-morphisms to have any shape, so long as it is homeomorphic to 

the standard $k$-ball.

In other words,

\xxpar{Morphisms (preliminary version):}

{For any $k$-manifold $X$ homeomorphic 

to the standard $k$-ball, we have a set of $k$-morphisms

$\cC_k(X)$.}

Terminology: By ``a $k$-ball" we mean any $k$-manifold which is homeomorphic to the 

standard $k$-ball.

We {\it do not} assume that it is equipped with a 

preferred homeomorphism to the standard $k$-ball.

The same goes for ``a $k$-sphere" below.

Given a homeomorphism $f:X\to Y$ between $k$-balls (not necessarily fixed on 

the boundary), we want a corresponding

bijection of sets $f:\cC(X)\to \cC(Y)$.

(This will imply ``strong duality", among other things.)

So we replace the above with

\xxpar{Morphisms:}

{For each $0 \le k \le n$, we have a functor $\cC_k$ from 

the category of $k$-balls and 

homeomorphisms to the category of sets and bijections.}

(Note: We usually omit the subscript $k$.)

We are being deliberately vague about what flavor of manifolds we are considering.

They could be unoriented or oriented or Spin or $\mbox{Pin}_\pm$.

They could be topological or PL or smooth.

\nn{need to check whether this makes much difference --- see pseudo-isotopy below}

(If smooth, ``homeomorphism" should be read ``diffeomorphism", and we would need

to be fussier about corners.)

For each flavor of manifold there is a corresponding flavor of $n$-category.

We will concentrate of the case of PL unoriented manifolds.

Next we consider domains and ranges of morphisms (or, as we prefer to say, boundaries

of morphisms).

The 0-sphere is unusual among spheres in that it is disconnected.

Correspondingly, for 1-morphisms it makes sense to distinguish between domain and range.

(Actually, this is only true in the oriented case, with 1-morphsims parameterized

by oriented 1-balls.)

For $k>1$ and in the presence of strong duality the domain/range division makes less sense.

\nn{maybe say more here; rotate disk, Frobenius reciprocity blah blah}

We prefer to combine the domain and range into a single entity which we call the 

boundary of a morphism.

Morphisms are modeled on balls, so their boundaries are modeled on spheres:

\xxpar{Boundaries (domain and range), part 1:}

{For each $0 \le k \le n-1$, we have a functor $\cC_k$ from 

the category of $k$-spheres and 

homeomorphisms to the category of sets and bijections.}

(In order to conserve symbols, we use the same symbol $\cC_k$ for both morphisms and boundaries.)

\xxpar{Boundaries, part 2:}

{For each $k$-ball $X$, we have a map of sets $\bd: \cC(X)\to \cC(\bd X)$.

These maps, for various $X$, comprise a natural transformation of functors.}

(Note that the first ``$\bd$" above is part of the data for the category, 

while the second is the ordinary boundary of manifolds.)

Given $c\in\cC(\bd(X))$, let $\cC(X; c) \deq \bd^{-1}(c)$.

Most of the examples of $n$-categories we are interested in are enriched in the following sense.

The various sets of $n$-morphisms $\cC(X; c)$, for all $n$-balls $X$ and

all $c\in \cC(\bd X)$, have the structure of an object in some auxiliary category

(e.g.\ vector spaces, or modules over some ring, or chain complexes),

and all the structure maps of the $n$-category should be compatible with the auxiliary

category structure.

Note that this auxiliary structure is only in dimension $n$;

$\cC(Y; c)$ is just a plain set if $\dim(Y) < n$.

\medskip

\nn{

%At the moment I'm a little confused about orientations, and more specifically

%about the role of orientation-reversing maps of boundaries when gluing oriented manifolds.

Maybe need a discussion about what the boundary of a manifold with a 

structure (e.g. orientation) means.

Tentatively, I think we need to redefine the oriented boundary of an oriented $n$-manifold.

Instead of an ordinary oriented $(n-1)$-manifold via the inward (or outward) normal 

first (or last) convention, perhaps it is better to define the boundary to be an $(n-1)$-manifold

equipped with an orientation of its once-stabilized tangent bundle.

Similarly, in dimension $n-k$ we would have manifolds equipped with an orientation of 

their $k$ times stabilized tangent bundles.

Probably should also have a framing of the stabilized dimensions in order to indicate which 

side the bounded manifold is on.

For the moment just stick with unoriented manifolds.}

\medskip

We have just argued that the boundary of a morphism has no preferred splitting into

domain and range, but the converse meets with our approval.

That is, given compatible domain and range, we should be able to combine them into

the full boundary of a morphism:

\xxpar{Domain $+$ range $\to$ boundary:}

{Let $S = B_1 \cup_E B_2$, where $S$ is a $k$-sphere ($0\le k\le n-1$),

$B_i$ is a $k$-ball, and $E = B_1\cap B_2$ is a $k{-}1$-sphere.

Let $\cC(B_1) \times_{\cC(E)} \cC(B_2)$ denote the fibered product of the 

two maps $\bd: \cC(B_i)\to \cC(E)$.

Then (axiom) we have an injective map

\[

	\gl_E : \cC(B_1) \times_{\cC(E)} \cC(B_2) \to \cC(S)

\]

which is natural with respect to the actions of homeomorphisms.}

Note that we insist on injectivity above.

Let $\cC(S)_E$ denote the image of $\gl_E$.

We will refer to elements of $\cC(S)_E$ as ``splittable along $E$" or ``transverse to $E$". 

We will call the projection $\cC(S)_E \to \cC(B_i)$

a {\it restriction} map and write $\res_{B_i}(a)$

(or simply $\res(a)$ when there is no ambiguity), for $a\in \cC(S)_E$.

These restriction maps can be thought of as

domain and range maps, relative to the choice of splitting $S = B_1 \cup_E B_2$.

If $B$ is a $k$-ball and $E \sub \bd B$ splits $\bd B$ into two $k{-}1$-balls

as above, then we define $\cC(B)_E = \bd^{-1}(\cC(\bd B)_E)$.

Next we consider composition of morphisms.

For $n$-categories which lack strong duality, one usually considers

$k$ different types of composition of $k$-morphisms, each associated to a different direction.

(For example, vertical and horizontal composition of 2-morphisms.)

In the presence of strong duality, these $k$ distinct compositions are subsumed into 

one general type of composition which can be in any ``direction".

\xxpar{Composition:}

{Let $B = B_1 \cup_Y B_2$, where $B$, $B_1$ and $B_2$ are $k$-balls ($0\le k\le n$)

and $Y = B_1\cap B_2$ is a $k{-}1$-ball.

Let $E = \bd Y$, which is a $k{-}2$-sphere.

Note that each of $B$, $B_1$ and $B_2$ has its boundary split into two $k{-}1$-balls by $E$.

We have restriction (domain or range) maps $\cC(B_i)_E \to \cC(Y)$.

Let $\cC(B_1)_E \times_{\cC(Y)} \cC(B_2)_E$ denote the fibered product of these two maps. 

Then (axiom) we have a map

\[

	\gl_Y : \cC(B_1)_E \times_{\cC(Y)} \cC(B_2)_E \to \cC(B)_E

\]

which is natural with respect to the actions of homeomorphisms, and also compatible with restrictions

to the intersection of the boundaries of $B$ and $B_i$.

If $k < n$ we require that $\gl_Y$ is injective.

(For $k=n$, see below.)}

\xxpar{Strict associativity:}

{The composition (gluing) maps above are strictly associative.}

Notation: $a\bullet b \deq \gl_Y(a, b)$ and/or $a\cup b \deq \gl_Y(a, b)$.

In the other direction, we will call the projection from $\cC(B)_E$ to $\cC(B_i)_E$ 

a {\it restriction} map and write $\res_{B_i}(a)$ for $a\in \cC(B)_E$.

Compositions of boundary and restriction maps will also be called restriction maps.

For example, if $B$ is a $k$-ball and $Y\sub \bd B$ is a $k{-}1$-ball, there is a

restriction map from $\cC(B)_{\bd Y}$ to $\cC(Y)$.

%More notation and terminology:

%We will call the projection from $\cC(B)_E$ to $\cC(B_i)_E$ a {\it restriction}

%map

The above two axioms are equivalent to the following axiom,

which we state in slightly vague form.

\xxpar{Multi-composition:}

{Given any decomposition $B = B_1\cup\cdots\cup B_m$ of a $k$-ball

into small $k$-balls, there is a 

map from an appropriate subset (like a fibered product) 

of $\cC(B_1)\times\cdots\times\cC(B_m)$ to $\cC(B)$,

and these various $m$-fold composition maps satisfy an

operad-type strict associativity condition.}

The next axiom is related to identity morphisms, though that might not be immediately obvious.

\xxpar{Product (identity) morphisms:}

{Let $X$ be a $k$-ball and $D$ be an $m$-ball, with $k+m \le n$.

Then we have a map $\cC(X)\to \cC(X\times D)$, usually denoted $a\mapsto a\times D$ for $a\in \cC(X)$.

If $f:X\to X'$ and $\tilde{f}:X\times D \to X'\times D'$ are maps such that the diagram

\[ \xymatrix{

	X\times D \ar[r]^{\tilde{f}} \ar[d]_{\pi} & X'\times D' \ar[d]^{\pi} \\

	X \ar[r]^{f} & X'

} \]

commutes, then we have 

\[

	\tilde{f}(a\times D) = f(a)\times D' .

\]

Product morphisms are compatible with gluing (composition) in both factors:

\[

	(a'\times D)\bullet(a''\times D) = (a'\bullet a'')\times D

\]

and

\[

	(a\times D')\bullet(a\times D'') = a\times (D'\bullet D'') .

\]

\nn{if pinched boundary, then remove first case above}

Product morphisms are associative:

\[

	(a\times D)\times D' = a\times (D\times D') .

\]

(Here we are implicitly using functoriality and the obvious homeomorphism

$(X\times D)\times D' \to X\times(D\times D')$.)

Product morphisms are compatible with restriction:

\[

	\res_{X\times E}(a\times D) = a\times E

\]

for $E\sub \bd D$ and $a\in \cC(X)$.

}

\nn{need even more subaxioms for product morphisms?}

\nn{Almost certainly we need a little more than the above axiom.

More specifically, in order to bootstrap our way from the top dimension

properties of identity morphisms to low dimensions, we need regular products,

pinched products and even half-pinched products.

I'm not sure what the best way to cleanly axiomatize the properties of these various is.

For the moment, I'll assume that all flavors of the product are at

our disposal, and I'll plan on revising the axioms later.}

\nn{current idea for fixing this: make the above axiom a ``preliminary version"

(as we have already done with some of the other axioms), then state the official

axiom for maps $\pi: E \to X$ which are almost fiber bundles.

one option is to restrict E to be a (full/half/not)-pinched product (up to homeo).

the alternative is to give some sort of local criterion for what's allowed.

state a gluing axiom for decomps $E = E'\cup E''$ where all three are of the correct type.

}

All of the axioms listed above hold for both ordinary $n$-categories and $A_\infty$ $n$-categories.

The last axiom (below), concerning actions of 

homeomorphisms in the top dimension $n$, distinguishes the two cases.

We start with the plain $n$-category case.

\xxpar{Isotopy invariance in dimension $n$ (preliminary version):}

{Let $X$ be an $n$-ball and $f: X\to X$ be a homeomorphism which restricts

to the identity on $\bd X$ and is isotopic (rel boundary) to the identity.

Then $f$ acts trivially on $\cC(X)$; $f(a) = a$ for all $a\in \cC(X)$.}

We will strengthen the above axiom in two ways.

(Amusingly, these two ways are related to each of the two senses of the term

``pseudo-isotopy".)

First, we require that $f$ act trivially on $\cC(X)$ if it is pseudo-isotopic to the identity

in the sense of homeomorphisms of mapping cylinders.

This is motivated by TQFT considerations:

If the mapping cylinder of $f$ is homeomorphic to the mapping cylinder of the identity,

then these two $n{+}1$-manifolds should induce the same map from $\cC(X)$ to itself.

\nn{is there a non-TQFT reason to require this?}

Second, we require that product (a.k.a.\ identity) $n$-morphisms act as the identity.

Let $X$ be an $n$-ball and $Y\sub\bd X$ be an $n{-}1$-ball.

Let $J$ be a 1-ball (interval).

We have a collaring homeomorphism $s_{Y,J}: X\cup_Y (Y\times J) \to X$.

(Here we use the ``pinched" version of $Y\times J$.

\nn{need notation for this})

We define a map

\begin{eqnarray*}

	\psi_{Y,J}: \cC(X) &\to& \cC(X) \\

	a & \mapsto & s_{Y,J}(a \cup ((a|_Y)\times J)) .

\end{eqnarray*}

\nn{need to say something somewhere about pinched boundary convention for products}

We will call $\psi_{Y,J}$ an extended isotopy.

\nn{or extended homeomorphism?  see below.}

\nn{maybe remark that in some examples (e.g.\ ones based on sub cell complexes) 

extended isotopies are also plain isotopies, so

no extension necessary}

It can be thought of as the action of the inverse of

a map which projects a collar neighborhood of $Y$ onto $Y$.

(This sort of collapse map is the other sense of ``pseudo-isotopy".)

\nn{need to check this}

The revised axiom is

\xxpar{Pseudo and extended isotopy invariance in dimension $n$:}

{Let $X$ be an $n$-ball and $f: X\to X$ be a homeomorphism which restricts

to the identity on $\bd X$ and is pseudo-isotopic or extended isotopic (rel boundary) to the identity.

Then $f$ acts trivially on $\cC(X)$.}

\nn{need to rephrase this, since extended isotopies don't correspond to homeomorphisms.}

\smallskip

For $A_\infty$ $n$-categories, we replace

isotopy invariance with the requirement that families of homeomorphisms act.

For the moment, assume that our $n$-morphisms are enriched over chain complexes.

\xxpar{Families of homeomorphisms act.}

{For each $n$-ball $X$ and each $c\in \cC(\bd X)$ we have a map of chain complexes

\[

	C_*(\Homeo_\bd(X))\ot \cC(X; c) \to \cC(X; c) .

\]

Here $C_*$ means singular chains and $\Homeo_\bd(X)$ is the space of homeomorphisms of $X$

which fix $\bd X$.

These action maps are required to be associative up to homotopy

\nn{iterated homotopy?}, and also compatible with composition (gluing) in the sense that

a diagram like the one in Proposition \ref{CDprop} commutes.

\nn{repeat diagram here?}

\nn{restate this with $\Homeo(X\to X')$?  what about boundary fixing property?}}

We should strengthen the above axiom to apply to families of extended homeomorphisms.

To do this we need to explain how extended homeomorphisms form a topological space.

Roughly, the set of $n{-}1$-balls in the boundary of an $n$-ball has a natural topology,

and we can replace the class of all intervals $J$ with intervals contained in $\r$.

\nn{need to also say something about collaring homeomorphisms.}

\nn{this paragraph needs work.}

Note that if we take homology of chain complexes, we turn an $A_\infty$ $n$-category

into a plain $n$-category (enriched over graded groups).

\nn{say more here?}

In the other direction, if we enrich over topological spaces instead of chain complexes,

we get a space version of an $A_\infty$ $n$-category, with $\Homeo_\bd(X)$ acting 

instead of  $C_*(\Homeo_\bd(X))$.

Taking singular chains converts a space-type $A_\infty$ $n$-category into a chain complex

type $A_\infty$ $n$-category.

\medskip

The alert reader will have already noticed that our definition of (plain) $n$-category

is extremely similar to our definition of topological fields.

The only difference is that for the $n$-category definition we restrict our attention to balls

(and their boundaries), while for fields we consider all manifolds.

\nn{also: difference at the top dimension; fix this}

Thus a system of fields determines an $n$-category simply by restricting our attention to

balls.

The $n$-category can be thought of as the local part of the fields.

Conversely, given an $n$-category we can construct a system of fields via 

\nn{gluing, or a universal construction}

\nn{see subsection below}

\nn{Next, say something about $A_\infty$ $n$-categories and ``homological" systems

of fields.

The universal (colimit) construction becomes our generalized definition of blob homology.

Need to explain how it relates to the old definition.}

\medskip

\nn{these examples need to be fleshed out a bit more}

Examples of plain $n$-categories:

\begin{itemize}

\item Let $F$ be a closed $m$-manifold (e.g.\ a point).

Let $T$ be a topological space.

For $X$ a $k$-ball or $k$-sphere with $k < n$, define $\cC(X)$ to be the set of 

all maps from $X\times F$ to $T$.

For $X$ an $n$-ball define $\cC(X)$ to be maps from $X\times F$ to $T$ modulo

homotopies fixed on $\bd X \times F$.

(Note that homotopy invariance implies isotopy invariance.)

For $a\in \cC(X)$ define the product morphism $a\times D \in \cC(X\times D)$ to

be $a\circ\pi_X$, where $\pi_X : X\times D \to X$ is the projection.

\item We can linearize the above example as follows.

Let $\alpha$ be an $(n{+}m{+}1)$-cocycle on $T$ with values in a ring $R$

(e.g.\ the trivial cocycle).

For $X$ of dimension less than $n$ define $\cC(X)$ as before.

For $X$ an $n$-ball and $c\in \cC(\bd X)$ define $\cC(X; c)$ to be

the $R$-module of finite linear combinations of maps from $X\times F$ to $T$,

modulo the relation that if $a$ is homotopic to $b$ (rel boundary) via a homotopy

$h: X\times F\times I \to T$, then $a \sim \alpha(h)b$.

\nn{need to say something about fundamental classes, or choose $\alpha$ carefully}

\item Given a traditional $n$-category $C$ (with strong duality etc.),

define $\cC(X)$ (with $\dim(X) < n$) 

to be the set of all $C$-labeled sub cell complexes of $X$.

For $X$ an $n$-ball and $c\in \cC(\bd X)$, define $\cC(X)$ to finite linear

combinations of $C$-labeled sub cell complexes of $X$

modulo the kernel of the evaluation map.

Define a product morphism $a\times D$ to be the product of the cell complex of $a$ with $D$,

and with the same labeling as $a$.

More generally, start with an $n{+}m$-category $C$ and a closed $m$-manifold $F$.

Define $\cC(X)$, for $\dim(X) < n$,

to be the set of all $C$-labeled sub cell complexes of $X\times F$.

Define $\cC(X; c)$, for $X$ an $n$-ball,

to be the dual Hilbert space $A(X\times F; c)$.

\nn{refer elsewhere for details?}

\item Variation on the above examples:

We could allow $F$ to have boundary and specify boundary conditions on $X\times \bd F$,

for example product boundary conditions or take the union over all boundary conditions.

\nn{maybe should not emphasize this case, since it's ``better" in some sense

to think of these guys as affording a representation

of the $n{+}1$-category associated to $\bd F$.}

\item \nn{should add bordism $n$-cat}

\end{itemize}

Examples of $A_\infty$ $n$-categories:

\begin{itemize}

\item Same as in example \nn{xxxx} above (fiber $F$, target space $T$),

but we define, for an $n$-ball $X$, $\cC(X; c)$ to be the chain complex 

$C_*(\Maps_c(X\times F))$, where $\Maps_c$ denotes continuous maps restricting to $c$ on the boundary,

and $C_*$ denotes singular chains.

\item

Given a plain $n$-category $C$, 

define $\cC(X; c) = \bc^C_*(X\times F; c)$, where $X$ is an $n$-ball

and $\bc^C_*$ denotes the blob complex based on $C$.

\item \nn{should add $\infty$ version of bordism $n$-cat}

\end{itemize}

\subsection{From $n$-categories to systems of fields}

\label{ss:ncat_fields}

We can extend the functors $\cC$ above from $k$-balls to arbitrary $k$-manifolds as follows.

Let $W$ be a $k$-manifold, $1\le k \le n$.

We will define a set $\cC(W)$.

(If $k = n$ and our $k$-categories are enriched, then

$\cC(W)$ will have additional structure; see below.)

$\cC(W)$ will be the colimit of a functor defined on a category $\cJ(W)$,

which we define next.

Define a permissible decomposition of $W$ to be a decomposition

\[

	W = \bigcup_a X_a ,

\]

where each $X_a$ is a $k$-ball.

Given permissible decompositions $x$ and $y$, we say that $x$ is a refinement

of $y$, or write $x \le y$, if each ball of $y$ is a union of balls of $x$.

This defines a partial ordering $\cJ(W)$, which we will think of as a category.

(The objects of $\cJ(W)$ are permissible decompositions of $W$, and there is a unique

morphism from $x$ to $y$ if and only if $x$ is a refinement of $y$.

See Figure \ref{partofJfig}.)

\begin{figure}[!ht]

\begin{equation*}

\mathfig{.63}{tempkw/zz2}

\end{equation*}

\caption{A small part of $\cJ(W)$}

\label{partofJfig}

\end{figure}

$\cC$ determines 

a functor $\psi_\cC$ from $\cJ(W)$ to the category of sets 

(possibly with additional structure if $k=n$).

For a decomposition $x = (X_a)$ in $\cJ(W)$, define $\psi_\cC(x)$ to be the subset

\[

	\psi_\cC(x) \sub \prod_a \cC(X_a)

\]

such that the restrictions to the various pieces of shared boundaries amongst the

$X_a$ all agree.

(Think fibered product.)

If $x$ is a refinement of $y$, define a map $\psi_\cC(x)\to\psi_\cC(y)$

via the composition maps of $\cC$.

(If $\dim(W) = n$ then we need to also make use of the monoidal

product in the enriching category.

\nn{should probably be more explicit here})

Finally, define $\cC(W)$ to be the colimit of $\psi_\cC$.

In the plain (non-$A_\infty$) case, this means that

for each decomposition $x$ there is a map

$\psi_\cC(x)\to \cC(W)$, these maps are compatible with the refinement maps

above, and $\cC(W)$ is universal with respect to these properties.

In the $A_\infty$ case, it means 

\nn{.... need to check if there is a def in the literature before writing this down;

homotopy colimit I think}