7 

     7 

     8 We begin with a definition of a \emph{topological $A_\infty$ category}, and then introduce the notion of a homological system of fields. A topological $A_\infty$ category gives a $1$-dimensional homological system of fields. We'll suggest that any good definition of a topological $A_\infty$ $n$-category with duals should allow construction of an $n$-dimensional homological system of fields, but we won't propose any such definition here. Later, we extend the definition of blob homology to allow homological fields as input. These definitions allow us to state and prove a theorem about the blob homology of a product manifold, and an intermediate theorem about gluing, in preparation for the proof of Property \ref{property:gluing}.

     8 We begin with a definition of a \emph{topological $A_\infty$ category}, and then introduce the notion of a homological system of fields. A topological $A_\infty$ category gives a $1$-dimensional homological system of fields. We'll suggest that any good definition of a topological $A_\infty$ $n$-category with duals should allow construction of an $n$-dimensional homological system of fields, but we won't propose any such definition here. Later, we extend the definition of blob homology to allow homological fields as input. These definitions allow us to state and prove a theorem about the blob homology of a product manifold, and an intermediate theorem about gluing, in preparation for the proof of Property \ref{property:gluing}.

     9 

     9 

    10 \subsection{Topological $A_\infty$ categories}

    10 \subsection{Topological $A_\infty$ categories}

    11 In this section we define a notion of `topological $A_\infty$ category' and sketch an equivalence with the usual definition of $A_\infty$ category. We then define `topological $A_\infty$ modules', and their morphisms and tensor products.

    11 In this section we define a notion of `topological $A_\infty$ category' and sketch an equivalence with the usual definition of $A_\infty$ category. We then define `topological $A_\infty$ modules', and their morphisms and tensor products.

    12 

    15 

    13 \begin{defn}

    16 \begin{defn}

    14 \label{defn:topological-Ainfty-category}%

    17 \label{defn:topological-Ainfty-category}%

    15 A \emph{topological $A_\infty$ category} $\cC$ has a set of objects $\Obj(\cC)$, and for each interval $J$ and objects $a,b \in \Obj(\cC)$, a chain complex $\cC(J;a,b)$, along with

    18 A \emph{topological $A_\infty$ category} $\cC$ has a set of objects $\Obj(\cC)$, and for each interval $J$ and objects $a,b \in \Obj(\cC)$, a chain complex $\cC(J;a,b)$, along with

    16 \begin{itemize}

    19 \begin{itemize}