text/ncat.tex
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parent 419 a571e37cc68d
parent 420 257066702f60
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   377 such that $E$ is a $k{+}m$-ball, $X$ is a $k$-ball ($m\ge 1$), and $\pi$ is locally modeled
   377 such that $E$ is a $k{+}m$-ball, $X$ is a $k$-ball ($m\ge 1$), and $\pi$ is locally modeled
   378 on a standard iterated degeneracy map
   378 on a standard iterated degeneracy map
   379 \[
   379 \[
   380 	d: \Delta^{k+m}\to\Delta^k .
   380 	d: \Delta^{k+m}\to\Delta^k .
   381 \]
   381 \]
   382 In other words, \nn{each point has a neighborhood blah blah...}
       
   383 (We thank Kevin Costello for suggesting this approach.)
   382 (We thank Kevin Costello for suggesting this approach.)
   384 
   383 
   385 Note that for each interior point $x\in X$, $\pi\inv(x)$ is an $m$-ball,
   384 Note that for each interior point $x\in X$, $\pi\inv(x)$ is an $m$-ball,
   386 and for for each boundary point $x\in\bd X$, $\pi\inv(x)$ is a ball of dimension
   385 and for for each boundary point $x\in\bd X$, $\pi\inv(x)$ is a ball of dimension
   387 $l \le m$, with $l$ depending on $x$.
   386 $l \le m$, with $l$ depending on $x$.
   517 The last axiom (below), concerning actions of 
   516 The last axiom (below), concerning actions of 
   518 homeomorphisms in the top dimension $n$, distinguishes the two cases.
   517 homeomorphisms in the top dimension $n$, distinguishes the two cases.
   519 
   518 
   520 We start with the plain $n$-category case.
   519 We start with the plain $n$-category case.
   521 
   520 
   522 \begin{axiom}[Isotopy invariance in dimension $n$]{\textup{\textbf{[preliminary]}}}
   521 \begin{axiom}[\textup{\textbf{[preliminary]}} Isotopy invariance in dimension $n$]
   523 Let $X$ be an $n$-ball and $f: X\to X$ be a homeomorphism which restricts
   522 Let $X$ be an $n$-ball and $f: X\to X$ be a homeomorphism which restricts
   524 to the identity on $\bd X$ and is isotopic (rel boundary) to the identity.
   523 to the identity on $\bd X$ and is isotopic (rel boundary) to the identity.
   525 Then $f$ acts trivially on $\cC(X)$; $f(a) = a$ for all $a\in \cC(X)$.
   524 Then $f$ acts trivially on $\cC(X)$; $f(a) = a$ for all $a\in \cC(X)$.
   526 \end{axiom}
   525 \end{axiom}
   527 
   526 
   591 isotopic (rel boundary) to the identity {\it extended isotopy}.
   590 isotopic (rel boundary) to the identity {\it extended isotopy}.
   592 
   591 
   593 The revised axiom is
   592 The revised axiom is
   594 
   593 
   595 \addtocounter{axiom}{-1}
   594 \addtocounter{axiom}{-1}
   596 \begin{axiom}{\textup{\textbf{[topological  version]}} Extended isotopy invariance in dimension $n$.}
   595 \begin{axiom}[\textup{\textbf{[topological  version]}} Extended isotopy invariance in dimension $n$.]
   597 \label{axiom:extended-isotopies}
   596 \label{axiom:extended-isotopies}
   598 Let $X$ be an $n$-ball and $f: X\to X$ be a homeomorphism which restricts
   597 Let $X$ be an $n$-ball and $f: X\to X$ be a homeomorphism which restricts
   599 to the identity on $\bd X$ and isotopic (rel boundary) to the identity.
   598 to the identity on $\bd X$ and isotopic (rel boundary) to the identity.
   600 Then $f$ acts trivially on $\cC(X)$.
   599 Then $f$ acts trivially on $\cC(X)$.
   601 In addition, collar maps act trivially on $\cC(X)$.
   600 In addition, collar maps act trivially on $\cC(X)$.
   609 Let $\Homeo_\bd(X)$ denote homeomorphisms of $X$ which fix $\bd X$ and
   608 Let $\Homeo_\bd(X)$ denote homeomorphisms of $X$ which fix $\bd X$ and
   610 $C_*(\Homeo_\bd(X))$ denote the singular chains on this space.
   609 $C_*(\Homeo_\bd(X))$ denote the singular chains on this space.
   611 
   610 
   612 
   611 
   613 \addtocounter{axiom}{-1}
   612 \addtocounter{axiom}{-1}
   614 \begin{axiom}{\textup{\textbf{[$A_\infty$ version]}} Families of homeomorphisms act in dimension $n$.}
   613 \begin{axiom}[\textup{\textbf{[$A_\infty$ version]}} Families of homeomorphisms act in dimension $n$.]
   615 For each $n$-ball $X$ and each $c\in \cl{\cC}(\bd X)$ we have a map of chain complexes
   614 For each $n$-ball $X$ and each $c\in \cl{\cC}(\bd X)$ we have a map of chain complexes
   616 \[
   615 \[
   617 	C_*(\Homeo_\bd(X))\ot \cC(X; c) \to \cC(X; c) .
   616 	C_*(\Homeo_\bd(X))\ot \cC(X; c) \to \cC(X; c) .
   618 \]
   617 \]
   619 These action maps are required to be associative up to homotopy
   618 These action maps are required to be associative up to homotopy
   627 To do this we need to explain how collar maps form a topological space.
   626 To do this we need to explain how collar maps form a topological space.
   628 Roughly, the set of collared $n{-}1$-balls in the boundary of an $n$-ball has a natural topology,
   627 Roughly, the set of collared $n{-}1$-balls in the boundary of an $n$-ball has a natural topology,
   629 and we can replace the class of all intervals $J$ with intervals contained in $\r$.
   628 and we can replace the class of all intervals $J$ with intervals contained in $\r$.
   630 Having chains on the space of collar maps act gives rise to coherence maps involving
   629 Having chains on the space of collar maps act gives rise to coherence maps involving
   631 weak identities.
   630 weak identities.
   632 We will not pursue this in this draft of the paper.
   631 We will not pursue this in detail here.
   633 
   632 
   634 Note that if we take homology of chain complexes, we turn an $A_\infty$ $n$-category
   633 Note that if we take homology of chain complexes, we turn an $A_\infty$ $n$-category
   635 into a plain $n$-category (enriched over graded groups).
   634 into a plain $n$-category (enriched over graded groups).
   636 In a different direction, if we enrich over topological spaces instead of chain complexes,
   635 In a different direction, if we enrich over topological spaces instead of chain complexes,
   637 we get a space version of an $A_\infty$ $n$-category, with $\Homeo_\bd(X)$ acting 
   636 we get a space version of an $A_\infty$ $n$-category, with $\Homeo_\bd(X)$ acting 
   915 We will first define the ``cell-decomposition" poset $\cell(W)$ for any $k$-manifold $W$, for $1 \leq k \leq n$. 
   914 We will first define the ``cell-decomposition" poset $\cell(W)$ for any $k$-manifold $W$, for $1 \leq k \leq n$. 
   916 An $n$-category $\cC$ provides a functor from this poset to the category of sets, 
   915 An $n$-category $\cC$ provides a functor from this poset to the category of sets, 
   917 and we  will define $\cl{\cC}(W)$ as a suitable colimit 
   916 and we  will define $\cl{\cC}(W)$ as a suitable colimit 
   918 (or homotopy colimit in the $A_\infty$ case) of this functor. 
   917 (or homotopy colimit in the $A_\infty$ case) of this functor. 
   919 We'll later give a more explicit description of this colimit.
   918 We'll later give a more explicit description of this colimit.
   920 In the case that the $n$-category $\cC$ is enriched (e.g. associates vector spaces or chain complexes to $n$-manifolds with boundary data), 
   919 In the case that the $n$-category $\cC$ is enriched (e.g. associates vector spaces or chain complexes to $n$-balls with boundary data), 
   921 then the resulting colimit is also enriched, that is, the set associated to $W$ splits into subsets according to boundary data, and each of these subsets has the appropriate structure (e.g. a vector space or chain complex).
   920 then the resulting colimit is also enriched, that is, the set associated to $W$ splits into subsets according to boundary data, and each of these subsets has the appropriate structure (e.g. a vector space or chain complex).
   922 
   921 
   923 Define a {\it permissible decomposition} of $W$ to be a cell decomposition
   922 Define a {\it permissible decomposition} of $W$ to be a cell decomposition
   924 \[
   923 \[
   925 	W = \bigcup_a X_a ,
   924 	W = \bigcup_a X_a ,
   973 means the subset of $\cC(X_a)$ whose restriction to $\bd X_a$ agress with $\beta$.
   972 means the subset of $\cC(X_a)$ whose restriction to $\bd X_a$ agress with $\beta$.
   974 If we are enriching over $\cS$ and $k=n$, then $\cC(X_a; \beta)$ is an object in 
   973 If we are enriching over $\cS$ and $k=n$, then $\cC(X_a; \beta)$ is an object in 
   975 $\cS$ and the coproduct and product in Equation \ref{eq:psi-CC} should be replaced by the approriate
   974 $\cS$ and the coproduct and product in Equation \ref{eq:psi-CC} should be replaced by the approriate
   976 operations in $\cS$ (e.g. direct sum and tensor product if $\cS$ is Vect).
   975 operations in $\cS$ (e.g. direct sum and tensor product if $\cS$ is Vect).
   977 
   976 
   978 Finally, we construct $\cC(W)$ as the appropriate colimit of $\psi_{\cC;W}$.
   977 Finally, we construct $\cl{\cC}(W)$ as the appropriate colimit of $\psi_{\cC;W}$.
   979 
   978 
   980 \begin{defn}[System of fields functor]
   979 \begin{defn}[System of fields functor]
   981 \label{def:colim-fields}
   980 \label{def:colim-fields}
   982 If $\cC$ is an $n$-category enriched in sets or vector spaces, $\cl{\cC}(W)$ is the usual colimit of the functor $\psi_{\cC;W}$.
   981 If $\cC$ is an $n$-category enriched in sets or vector spaces, $\cl{\cC}(W)$ is the usual colimit of the functor $\psi_{\cC;W}$.
   983 That is, for each decomposition $x$ there is a map
   982 That is, for each decomposition $x$ there is a map
  1038 Then we kill the extra homology we just introduced with mapping 
  1037 Then we kill the extra homology we just introduced with mapping 
  1039 cylinders between the mapping cylinders (filtration degree 2), and so on.
  1038 cylinders between the mapping cylinders (filtration degree 2), and so on.
  1040 
  1039 
  1041 $\cC(W)$ is functorial with respect to homeomorphisms of $k$-manifolds. Restricting the $k$-spheres, we have now proved Lemma \ref{lem:spheres}.
  1040 $\cC(W)$ is functorial with respect to homeomorphisms of $k$-manifolds. Restricting the $k$-spheres, we have now proved Lemma \ref{lem:spheres}.
  1042 
  1041 
  1043 \todo{This next sentence is circular: these maps are an axiom, not a consequence of anything. -S} It is easy to see that
  1042 It is easy to see that
  1044 there are well-defined maps $\cC(W)\to\cC(\bd W)$, and that these maps
  1043 there are well-defined maps $\cC(W)\to\cC(\bd W)$, and that these maps
  1045 comprise a natural transformation of functors.
  1044 comprise a natural transformation of functors.
  1046 
  1045 
  1047 \begin{lem}
  1046 \begin{lem}
  1048 \label{lem:colim-injective}
  1047 \label{lem:colim-injective}
  1340 We can define a module $\pi_{\leq n}(S,T)$ so that on each marked $k$-ball $(B,N)$ 
  1339 We can define a module $\pi_{\leq n}(S,T)$ so that on each marked $k$-ball $(B,N)$ 
  1341 for $k<n$ the set $\pi_{\leq n}(S,T)(B,N)$ consists of all continuous maps of pairs 
  1340 for $k<n$ the set $\pi_{\leq n}(S,T)(B,N)$ consists of all continuous maps of pairs 
  1342 $(B,N) \to (S,T)$ and on each marked $n$-ball $(B,N)$ it consists of all 
  1341 $(B,N) \to (S,T)$ and on each marked $n$-ball $(B,N)$ it consists of all 
  1343 such maps modulo homotopies fixed on $\bdy B \setminus N$.
  1342 such maps modulo homotopies fixed on $\bdy B \setminus N$.
  1344 This is a module over the fundamental $n$-category $\pi_{\leq n}(S)$ of $S$, from Example \ref{ex:maps-to-a-space}.
  1343 This is a module over the fundamental $n$-category $\pi_{\leq n}(S)$ of $S$, from Example \ref{ex:maps-to-a-space}.
       
  1344 \end{example}
  1345 Modifications corresponding to Examples \ref{ex:maps-to-a-space-with-a-fiber} and 
  1345 Modifications corresponding to Examples \ref{ex:maps-to-a-space-with-a-fiber} and 
  1346 \ref{ex:linearized-maps-to-a-space} are also possible, and there is an $A_\infty$ version analogous to 
  1346 \ref{ex:linearized-maps-to-a-space} are also possible, and there is an $A_\infty$ version analogous to 
  1347 Example \ref{ex:chains-of-maps-to-a-space} given by taking singular chains.
  1347 Example \ref{ex:chains-of-maps-to-a-space} given by taking singular chains.
  1348 \end{example}
       
  1349 
  1348 
  1350 \subsection{Modules as boundary labels (colimits for decorated manifolds)}
  1349 \subsection{Modules as boundary labels (colimits for decorated manifolds)}
  1351 \label{moddecss}
  1350 \label{moddecss}
  1352 
  1351 
  1353 Fix a topological $n$-category or $A_\infty$ $n$-category  $\cC$.
  1352 Fix a topological $n$-category or $A_\infty$ $n$-category  $\cC$.