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     1 \documentclass[11pt,leqno]{article}
       
     2 
       
     3 \usepackage{amsmath,amssymb,amsthm}
       
     4 
       
     5 \usepackage[all]{xy}
       
     6 
       
     7 
       
     8 %%%%% excerpts from my include file of standard macros
       
     9 
       
    10 \def\bc{{\cal B}}
       
    11 
       
    12 \def\z{\mathbb{Z}}
       
    13 \def\r{\mathbb{R}}
       
    14 \def\c{\mathbb{C}}
       
    15 \def\t{\mathbb{T}}
       
    16 
       
    17 \def\du{\sqcup}
       
    18 \def\bd{\partial}
       
    19 \def\sub{\subset}
       
    20 \def\sup{\supset}
       
    21 %\def\setmin{\smallsetminus}
       
    22 \def\setmin{\setminus}
       
    23 \def\ep{\epsilon}
       
    24 \def\sgl{_\mathrm{gl}}
       
    25 \def\deq{\stackrel{\mathrm{def}}{=}}
       
    26 \def\pd#1#2{\frac{\partial #1}{\partial #2}}
       
    27 
       
    28 \def\nn#1{{{\it \small [#1]}}}
       
    29 
       
    30 
       
    31 % equations
       
    32 \newcommand{\eq}[1]{\begin{displaymath}#1\end{displaymath}}
       
    33 \newcommand{\eqar}[1]{\begin{eqnarray*}#1\end{eqnarray*}}
       
    34 \newcommand{\eqspl}[1]{\begin{displaymath}\begin{split}#1\end{split}\end{displaymath}}
       
    35 
       
    36 % tricky way to iterate macros over a list
       
    37 \def\semicolon{;}
       
    38 \def\applytolist#1{
       
    39 	\expandafter\def\csname multi#1\endcsname##1{
       
    40 		\def\multiack{##1}\ifx\multiack\semicolon
       
    41 			\def\next{\relax}
       
    42 		\else
       
    43 			\csname #1\endcsname{##1}
       
    44 			\def\next{\csname multi#1\endcsname}
       
    45 		\fi
       
    46 		\next}
       
    47 	\csname multi#1\endcsname}
       
    48 
       
    49 % \def\cA{{\cal A}} for A..Z
       
    50 \def\calc#1{\expandafter\def\csname c#1\endcsname{{\cal #1}}}
       
    51 \applytolist{calc}QWERTYUIOPLKJHGFDSAZXCVBNM;
       
    52 
       
    53 % \DeclareMathOperator{\pr}{pr} etc.
       
    54 \def\declaremathop#1{\expandafter\DeclareMathOperator\csname #1\endcsname{#1}}
       
    55 \applytolist{declaremathop}{pr}{im}{id}{gl}{tr}{rot}{Eq}{obj}{mor}{ob}{Rep}{End}{Hom}{Mat}{Tet}{cat}{Diff}{sign};
       
    56 
       
    57 
       
    58 
       
    59 %%%%%% end excerpt
       
    60 
       
    61 
       
    62 
       
    63 
       
    64 
       
    65 \title{Blob Homology}
       
    66 
       
    67 \begin{document}
       
    68 
       
    69 
       
    70 
       
    71 \makeatletter
       
    72 \@addtoreset{equation}{section}
       
    73 \gdef\theequation{\thesection.\arabic{equation}}
       
    74 \makeatother
       
    75 \newtheorem{thm}[equation]{Theorem}
       
    76 \newtheorem{prop}[equation]{Proposition}
       
    77 \newtheorem{lemma}[equation]{Lemma}
       
    78 \newtheorem{cor}[equation]{Corollary}
       
    79 \newtheorem{defn}[equation]{Definition}
       
    80 
       
    81 
       
    82 
       
    83 \maketitle
       
    84 
       
    85 \section{Introduction}
       
    86 
       
    87 (motivation, summary/outline, etc.)
       
    88 
       
    89 (motivation: 
       
    90 (1) restore exactness in pictures-mod-relations;
       
    91 (1') add relations-amongst-relations etc. to pictures-mod-relations;
       
    92 (2) want answer independent of handle decomp (i.e. don't 
       
    93 just go from coend to derived coend (e.g. Hochschild homology));
       
    94 (3) ...
       
    95 )
       
    96 
       
    97 \section{Definitions}
       
    98 
       
    99 \subsection{Fields}
       
   100 
       
   101 Fix a top dimension $n$.
       
   102 
       
   103 A {\it system of fields} 
       
   104 \nn{maybe should look for better name; but this is the name I use elsewhere}
       
   105 is a collection of functors $\cC$ from manifolds of dimension $n$ or less
       
   106 to sets.
       
   107 These functors must satisfy various properties (see KW TQFT notes for details).
       
   108 For example: 
       
   109 there is a canonical identification $\cC(X \du Y) = \cC(X) \times \cC(Y)$;
       
   110 there is a restriction map $\cC(X) \to \cC(\bd X)$;
       
   111 gluing manifolds corresponds to fibered products of fields;
       
   112 given a field $c \in \cC(Y)$ there is a ``product field" 
       
   113 $c\times I \in \cC(Y\times I)$; ...
       
   114 \nn{should eventually include full details of definition of fields.}
       
   115 
       
   116 \nn{note: probably will suppress from notation the distinction 
       
   117 between fields and their (orientation-reversal) duals}
       
   118 
       
   119 \nn{remark that if top dimensional fields are not already linear
       
   120 then we will soon linearize them(?)}
       
   121 
       
   122 The definition of a system of fields is intended to generalize 
       
   123 the relevant properties of the following two examples of fields.
       
   124 
       
   125 The first example: Fix a target space $B$ and define $\cC(X)$ (where $X$
       
   126 is a manifold of dimension $n$ or less) to be the set of 
       
   127 all maps from $X$ to $B$.
       
   128 
       
   129 The second example will take longer to explain.
       
   130 Given an $n$-category $C$ with the right sort of duality 
       
   131 (e.g. pivotal 2-category, 1-category with duals, star 1-category, disklike $n$-category), 
       
   132 we can construct a system of fields as follows.
       
   133 Roughly speaking, $\cC(X)$ will the set of all embedded cell complexes in $X$
       
   134 with codimension $i$ cells labeled by $i$-morphisms of $C$.
       
   135 We'll spell this out for $n=1,2$ and then describe the general case.
       
   136 
       
   137 If $X$ has boundary, we require that the cell decompositions are in general
       
   138 position with respect to the boundary --- the boundary intersects each cell
       
   139 transversely, so cells meeting the boundary are mere half-cells.
       
   140 
       
   141 Put another way, the cell decompositions we consider are dual to standard cell
       
   142 decompositions of $X$.
       
   143 
       
   144 We will always assume that our $n$-categories have linear $n$-morphisms.
       
   145 
       
   146 For $n=1$, a field on a 0-manifold $P$ is a labeling of each point of $P$ with
       
   147 an object (0-morphism) of the 1-category $C$.
       
   148 A field on a 1-manifold $S$ consists of
       
   149 \begin{itemize}
       
   150 	\item A cell decomposition of $S$ (equivalently, a finite collection
       
   151 of points in the interior of $S$);
       
   152 	\item a labeling of each 1-cell (and each half 1-cell adjacent to $\bd S$)
       
   153 by an object (0-morphism) of $C$;
       
   154 	\item a transverse orientation of each 0-cell, thought of as a choice of
       
   155 ``domain" and ``range" for the two adjacent 1-cells; and
       
   156 	\item a labeling of each 0-cell by a morphism (1-morphism) of $C$, with
       
   157 domain and range determined by the transverse orientation and the labelings of the 1-cells.
       
   158 \end{itemize}
       
   159 
       
   160 If $C$ is an algebra (i.e. if $C$ has only one 0-morphism) we can ignore the labels
       
   161 of 1-cells, so a field on a 1-manifold $S$ is a finite collection of points in the 
       
   162 interior of $S$, each transversely oriented and each labeled by an element (1-morphism)
       
   163 of the algebra.
       
   164 
       
   165 For $n=2$, a field on a 0-manifold $P$ is a labeling of each point of $P$ with
       
   166 an object of the 2-category $C$.
       
   167 A field of a 1-manifold is defined as in the $n=1$ case, using the 0- and 1-morphisms of $C$.
       
   168 A field on a 2-manifold $Y$ consists of
       
   169 \begin{itemize}
       
   170 	\item A cell decomposition of $Y$ (equivalently, a graph embedded in $Y$ such
       
   171 that each component of the complement is homeomorphic to a disk);
       
   172 	\item a labeling of each 2-cell (and each half 2-cell adjacent to $\bd Y$)
       
   173 by a 0-morphism of $C$;
       
   174 	\item a transverse orientation of each 1-cell, thought of as a choice of
       
   175 ``domain" and ``range" for the two adjacent 2-cells;
       
   176 	\item a labeling of each 1-cell by a 1-morphism of $C$, with
       
   177 domain and range determined by the transverse orientation of the 1-cell 
       
   178 and the labelings of the 2-cells;
       
   179 	\item for each 0-cell, a homeomorphism of the boundary $R$ of a small neighborhood 
       
   180 of the 0-cell to $S^1$ such that the intersections of the 1-cells with $R$ are not mapped
       
   181 to $\pm 1 \in S^1$; and
       
   182 	\item a labeling of each 0-cell by a 2-morphism of $C$, with domain and range 
       
   183 determined by the labelings of the 1-cells and the parameterizations of the previous
       
   184 bullet.
       
   185 \end{itemize}
       
   186 \nn{need to say this better; don't try to fit everything into the bulleted list}
       
   187 
       
   188 For general $n$, a field on a $k$-manifold $X^k$ consists of
       
   189 \begin{itemize}
       
   190 	\item A cell decomposition of $X$;
       
   191 	\item an explicit general position homeomorphism from the link of each $j$-cell
       
   192 to the boundary of the standard $(k-j)$-dimensional bihedron; and
       
   193 	\item a labeling of each $j$-cell by a $(k-j)$-dimensional morphism of $C$, with
       
   194 domain and range determined by the labelings of the link of $j$-cell.
       
   195 \end{itemize}
       
   196 
       
   197 \nn{next definition might need some work; I think linearity relations should
       
   198 be treated differently (segregated) from other local relations, but I'm not sure
       
   199 the next definition is the best way to do it}
       
   200 
       
   201 For top dimensional ($n$-dimensional) manifolds, we're actually interested 
       
   202 in the linearized space of fields.
       
   203 By default, define $\cC_l(X) = \c[\cC(X)]$; that is, $\cC_l(X)$ is
       
   204 the vector space of finite 
       
   205 linear combinations of fields on $X$.
       
   206 If $X$ has boundary, we of course fix a boundary condition: $\cC_l(X; a) = \c[\cC(X; a)]$.
       
   207 Thus the restriction (to boundary) maps are well defined because we never
       
   208 take linear combinations of fields with differing boundary conditions.
       
   209 
       
   210 In some cases we don't linearize the default way; instead we take the
       
   211 spaces $\cC_l(X; a)$ to be part of the data for the system of fields.
       
   212 In particular, for fields based on linear $n$-category pictures we linearize as follows.
       
   213 Define $\cC_l(X; a) = \c[\cC(X; a)]/K$, where $K$ is the space generated by 
       
   214 obvious relations on 0-cell labels.
       
   215 More specifically, let $L$ be a cell decomposition of $X$ 
       
   216 and let $p$ be a 0-cell of $L$.
       
   217 Let $\alpha_c$ and $\alpha_d$ be two labelings of $L$ which are identical except that
       
   218 $\alpha_c$ labels $p$ by $c$ and $\alpha_d$ labels $p$ by $d$.
       
   219 Then the subspace $K$ is generated by things of the form
       
   220 $\lambda \alpha_c + \alpha_d - \alpha_{\lambda c + d}$, where we leave it to the reader
       
   221 to infer the meaning of $\alpha_{\lambda c + d}$.
       
   222 Note that we are still assuming that $n$-categories have linear spaces of $n$-morphisms.
       
   223 
       
   224 \nn{Maybe comment further: if there's a natural basis of morphisms, then no need; 
       
   225 will do something similar below; in general, whenever a label lives in a linear
       
   226 space we do something like this; ? say something about tensor 
       
   227 product of all the linear label spaces?  Yes:}
       
   228 
       
   229 For top dimensional ($n$-dimensional) manifolds, we linearize as follows.
       
   230 Define an ``almost-field" to be a field without labels on the 0-cells.
       
   231 (Recall that 0-cells are labeled by $n$-morphisms.)
       
   232 To each unlabeled 0-cell in an almost field there corresponds a (linear) $n$-morphism
       
   233 space determined by the labeling of the link of the 0-cell.
       
   234 (If the 0-cell were labeled, the label would live in this space.)
       
   235 We associate to each almost-labeling the tensor product of these spaces (one for each 0-cell).
       
   236 We now define $\cC_l(X; a)$ to be the direct sum over all almost labelings of the 
       
   237 above tensor products.
       
   238 
       
   239 
       
   240 
       
   241 \subsection{Local relations}
       
   242 
       
   243 Let $B^n$ denote the standard $n$-ball.
       
   244 A {\it local relation} is a collection subspaces $U(B^n; c) \sub \cC_l(B^n; c)$ 
       
   245 (for all $c \in \cC(\bd B^n)$) satisfying the following (three?) properties.
       
   246 
       
   247 \nn{implies (extended?) isotopy; stable under gluing; open covers?; ...}
       
   248 
       
   249 For maps into spaces, $U(B^n; c)$ is generated by things of the form $a-b \in \cC_l(B^n; c)$,
       
   250 where $a$ and $b$ are maps (fields) which are homotopic rel boundary.
       
   251 
       
   252 For $n$-category pictures, $U(B^n; c)$ is equal to the kernel of the evaluation map
       
   253 $\cC_l(B^n; c) \to \mor(c', c'')$, where $(c', c'')$ is some (any) division of $c$ into
       
   254 domain and range.
       
   255 
       
   256 \nn{maybe examples of local relations before general def?}
       
   257 
       
   258 Note that the $Y$ is an $n$-manifold which is merely homeomorphic to the standard $B^n$,
       
   259 then any homeomorphism $B^n \to Y$ induces the same local subspaces for $Y$.
       
   260 We'll denote these by $U(Y; c) \sub \cC_l(Y; c)$, $c \in \cC(\bd Y)$.
       
   261 
       
   262 Given a system of fields and local relations, we define the skein space
       
   263 $A(Y^n; c)$ to be the space of all finite linear combinations of fields on
       
   264 the $n$-manifold $Y$ modulo local relations.
       
   265 The Hilbert space $Z(Y; c)$ for the TQFT based on the fields and local relations
       
   266 is defined to be the dual of $A(Y; c)$.
       
   267 (See KW TQFT notes or xxxx for details.)
       
   268 
       
   269 The blob complex is in some sense the derived version of $A(Y; c)$.
       
   270 
       
   271 
       
   272 
       
   273 \subsection{The blob complex}
       
   274 
       
   275 Let $X$ be an $n$-manifold.
       
   276 Assume a fixed system of fields.
       
   277 In this section we will usually suppress boundary conditions on $X$ from the notation
       
   278 (e.g. write $\cC_l(X)$ instead of $\cC_l(X; c)$).
       
   279 
       
   280 We only consider compact manifolds, so if $Y \sub X$ is a closed codimension 0 
       
   281 submanifold of $X$, then $X \setmin Y$ implicitly means the closure
       
   282 $\overline{X \setmin Y}$.
       
   283 
       
   284 We will define $\bc_0(X)$, $\bc_1(X)$ and $\bc_2(X)$, then give the general case.
       
   285 
       
   286 Define $\bc_0(X) = \cC_l(X)$.
       
   287 (If $X$ has nonempty boundary, instead define $\bc_0(X; c) = \cC_l(X; c)$.
       
   288 We'll omit this sort of detail in the rest of this section.)
       
   289 In other words, $\bc_0(X)$ is just the space of all linearized fields on $X$.
       
   290 
       
   291 $\bc_1(X)$ is the space of all local relations that can be imposed on $\bc_0(X)$.
       
   292 More specifically, define a 1-blob diagram to consist of
       
   293 \begin{itemize}
       
   294 \item An embedded closed ball (``blob") $B \sub X$.
       
   295 %\nn{Does $B$ need a homeo to the standard $B^n$?  I don't think so.
       
   296 %(See note in previous subsection.)}
       
   297 %\item A field (boundary condition) $c \in \cC(\bd B) = \cC(\bd(X \setmin B))$.
       
   298 \item A field $r \in \cC(X \setmin B; c)$
       
   299 (for some $c \in \cC(\bd B) = \cC(\bd(X \setmin B))$).
       
   300 \item A local relation field $u \in U(B; c)$
       
   301 (same $c$ as previous bullet).
       
   302 \end{itemize}
       
   303 %(Note that the the field $c$ is determined (implicitly) as the boundary of $u$ and/or $r$,
       
   304 %so we will omit $c$ from the notation.)
       
   305 Define $\bc_1(X)$ to be the space of all finite linear combinations of
       
   306 1-blob diagrams, modulo the simple relations relating labels of 0-cells and
       
   307 also the label ($u$ above) of the blob.
       
   308 \nn{maybe spell this out in more detail}
       
   309 (See xxxx above.)
       
   310 \nn{maybe restate this in terms of direct sums of tensor products.}
       
   311 
       
   312 There is a map $\bd : \bc_1(X) \to \bc_0(X)$ which sends $(B, r, u)$ to $ru$, the linear
       
   313 combination of fields on $X$ obtained by gluing $r$ to $u$.
       
   314 In other words $\bd : \bc_1(X) \to \bc_0(X)$ is given by 
       
   315 just erasing the blob from the picture
       
   316 (but keeping the blob label $u$).
       
   317 
       
   318 Note that the skein module $A(X)$
       
   319 is naturally isomorphic to $\bc_0(X)/\bd(\bc_1(X))) = H_0(\bc_*(X))$.
       
   320 
       
   321 $\bc_2(X)$ is the space of all relations (redundancies) among the relations of $\bc_1(X)$.
       
   322 More specifically, $\bc_2(X)$ is the space of all finite linear combinations of 
       
   323 2-blob diagrams (defined below), modulo the usual linear label relations.
       
   324 \nn{and also modulo blob reordering relations?}
       
   325 
       
   326 \nn{maybe include longer discussion to motivate the two sorts of 2-blob diagrams}
       
   327 
       
   328 There are two types of 2-blob diagram: disjoint and nested.
       
   329 A disjoint 2-blob diagram consists of
       
   330 \begin{itemize}
       
   331 \item A pair of disjoint closed balls (blobs) $B_0, B_1 \sub X$.
       
   332 %\item Fields (boundary conditions) $c_i \in \cC(\bd B_i)$.
       
   333 \item A field $r \in \cC(X \setmin (B_0 \cup B_1); c_0, c_1)$
       
   334 (where $c_i \in \cC(\bd B_i)$).
       
   335 \item Local relation fields $u_i \in U(B_i; c_i)$.
       
   336 \end{itemize}
       
   337 Define $\bd(B_0, B_1, r, u_0, u_1) = (B_1, ru_0, u_1) - (B_0, ru_1, u_0) \in \bc_1(X)$.
       
   338 In other words, the boundary of a disjoint 2-blob diagram
       
   339 is the sum (with alternating signs)
       
   340 of the two ways of erasing one of the blobs.
       
   341 It's easy to check that $\bd^2 = 0$.
       
   342 
       
   343 A nested 2-blob diagram consists of
       
   344 \begin{itemize}
       
   345 \item A pair of nested balls (blobs) $B_0 \sub B_1 \sub X$.
       
   346 \item A field $r \in \cC(X \setmin B_0; c_0)$
       
   347 (for some $c_0 \in \cC(\bd B_0)$).
       
   348 Let $r = r_1 \cup r'$, where $r_1 \in \cC(B_1 \setmin B_0; c_0, c_1)$
       
   349 (for some $c_1 \in \cC(B_1)$) and
       
   350 $r' \in \cC(X \setmin B_1; c_1)$.
       
   351 \item A local relation field $u_0 \in U(B_0; c_0)$.
       
   352 \end{itemize}
       
   353 Define $\bd(B_0, B_1, r, u_0) = (B_1, r', r_1u_0) - (B_0, r, u_0)$.
       
   354 Note that xxxx above guarantees that $r_1u_0 \in U(B_1)$.
       
   355 As in the disjoint 2-blob case, the boundary of a nested 2-blob is the alternating
       
   356 sum of the two ways of erasing one of the blobs.
       
   357 If we erase the inner blob, the outer blob inherits the label $r_1u_0$.
       
   358 
       
   359 Now for the general case.
       
   360 A $k$-blob diagram consists of
       
   361 \begin{itemize}
       
   362 \item A collection of blobs $B_i \sub X$, $i = 0, \ldots, k-1$.
       
   363 For each $i$ and $j$, we require that either $B_i \cap B_j$ is empty or
       
   364 $B_i \sub B_j$ or $B_j \sub B_i$.
       
   365 (The case $B_i = B_j$ is allowed.
       
   366 If $B_i \sub B_j$ the boundaries of $B_i$ and $B_j$ are allowed to intersect.)
       
   367 If a blob has no other blobs strictly contained in it, we call it a twig blob.
       
   368 %\item Fields (boundary conditions) $c_i \in \cC(\bd B_i)$.
       
   369 %(These are implied by the data in the next bullets, so we usually
       
   370 %suppress them from the notation.)
       
   371 %$c_i$ and $c_j$ must have identical restrictions to $\bd B_i \cap \bd B_j$
       
   372 %if the latter space is not empty.
       
   373 \item A field $r \in \cC(X \setmin B^t; c^t)$,
       
   374 where $B^t$ is the union of all the twig blobs and $c^t \in \cC(\bd B^t)$.
       
   375 \item For each twig blob $B_j$ a local relation field $u_j \in U(B_j; c_j)$,
       
   376 where $c_j$ is the restriction of $c^t$ to $\bd B_j$.
       
   377 If $B_i = B_j$ then $u_i = u_j$.
       
   378 \end{itemize}
       
   379 
       
   380 We define $\bc_k(X)$ to be the vector space of all finite linear combinations
       
   381 of $k$-blob diagrams, modulo the linear label relations and
       
   382 blob reordering relations defined in the remainder of this paragraph.
       
   383 Let $x$ be a blob diagram with one undetermined $n$-morphism label.
       
   384 The unlabeled entity is either a blob or a 0-cell outside of the twig blobs.
       
   385 Let $a$ and $b$ be two possible $n$-morphism labels for
       
   386 the unlabeled blob or 0-cell.
       
   387 Let $c = \lambda a + b$.
       
   388 Let $x_a$ be the blob diagram with label $a$, and define $x_b$ and $x_c$ similarly.
       
   389 Then we impose the relation
       
   390 \eq{
       
   391 	x_c = \lambda x_a + x_b .
       
   392 }
       
   393 \nn{should do this in terms of direct sums of tensor products}
       
   394 Let $x$ and $x'$ be two blob diagrams which differ only by a permutation $\pi$
       
   395 of their blob labelings.
       
   396 Then we impose the relation
       
   397 \eq{
       
   398 	x = \sign(\pi) x' .
       
   399 }
       
   400 
       
   401 (Alert readers will have noticed that for $k=2$ our definition
       
   402 of $\bc_k(X)$ is slightly different from the previous definition
       
   403 of $\bc_2(X)$.
       
   404 The general definition takes precedence;
       
   405 the earlier definition was simplified for purposes of exposition.)
       
   406 
       
   407 The boundary map $\bd : \bc_k(X) \to \bc_{k-1}(X)$ is defined as follows.
       
   408 Let $b = (\{B_i\}, r, \{u_j\})$ be a $k$-blob diagram.
       
   409 Let $E_j(b)$ denote the result of erasing the $j$-th blob.
       
   410 If $B_j$ is not a twig blob, this involves only decrementing
       
   411 the indices of blobs $B_{j+1},\ldots,B_{k-1}$.
       
   412 If $B_j$ is a twig blob, we have to assign new local relation labels
       
   413 if removing $B_j$ creates new twig blobs.
       
   414 If $B_l$ becomes a twig after removing $B_j$, then set $u_l = r_lu_j$,
       
   415 where $r_l$ is the restriction of $r$ to $B_l \setmin B_j$.
       
   416 Finally, define
       
   417 \eq{
       
   418 	\bd(b) = \sum_{j=0}^{k-1} (-1)^j E_j(b).
       
   419 }
       
   420 The $(-1)^j$ factors imply that the terms of $\bd^2(b)$ all cancel.
       
   421 Thus we have a chain complex.
       
   422 
       
   423 \nn{?? say something about the ``shape" of tree? (incl = cone, disj = product)}
       
   424 
       
   425 
       
   426 \nn{TO DO: ((?)) allow $n$-morphisms to be chain complex instead of just
       
   427 a vector space; relations to Chas-Sullivan string stuff}
       
   428 
       
   429 
       
   430 
       
   431 \section{Basic properties of the blob complex}
       
   432 
       
   433 \begin{prop} \label{disjunion}
       
   434 There is a natural isomorphism $\bc_*(X \du Y) \cong \bc_*(X) \otimes \bc_*(Y)$.
       
   435 \end{prop}
       
   436 \begin{proof}
       
   437 Given blob diagrams $b_1$ on $X$ and $b_2$ on $Y$, we can combine them
       
   438 (putting the $b_1$ blobs before the $b_2$ blobs in the ordering) to get a 
       
   439 blob diagram $(b_1, b_2)$ on $X \du Y$.
       
   440 Because of the blob reordering relations, all blob diagrams on $X \du Y$ arise this way.
       
   441 In the other direction, any blob diagram on $X\du Y$ is equal (up to sign)
       
   442 to one that puts $X$ blobs before $Y$ blobs in the ordering, and so determines
       
   443 a pair of blob diagrams on $X$ and $Y$.
       
   444 These two maps are compatible with our sign conventions \nn{say more about this?} and
       
   445 with the linear label relations.
       
   446 The two maps are inverses of each other.
       
   447 \nn{should probably say something about sign conventions for the differential
       
   448 in a tensor product of chain complexes; ask Scott}
       
   449 \end{proof}
       
   450 
       
   451 For the next proposition we will temporarily restore $n$-manifold boundary
       
   452 conditions to the notation.
       
   453 
       
   454 Suppose that for all $c \in \cC(\bd B^n)$ 
       
   455 we have a splitting $s: H_0(\bc_*(B^n, c)) \to \bc_0(B^n; c)$ 
       
   456 of the quotient map
       
   457 $p: \bc_0(B^n; c) \to H_0(\bc_*(B^n, c))$.
       
   458 \nn{always the case if we're working over $\c$}.
       
   459 Then
       
   460 \begin{prop} \label{bcontract}
       
   461 For all $c \in \cC(\bd B^n)$ the natural map $p: \bc_*(B^n, c) \to H_0(\bc_*(B^n, c))$
       
   462 is a chain homotopy equivalence
       
   463 with inverse $s: H_0(\bc_*(B^n, c)) \to \bc_*(B^n; c)$.
       
   464 Here we think of $H_0(\bc_*(B^n, c))$ as a 1-step complex concentrated in degree 0.
       
   465 \end{prop}
       
   466 \begin{proof}
       
   467 By assumption $p\circ s = \id$, so all that remains is to find a degree 1 map
       
   468 $h : \bc_*(B^n; c) \to \bc_*(B^n; c)$ such that $\bd h + h\bd = \id - s \circ p$.
       
   469 For $i \ge 1$, define $h_i : \bc_i(B^n; c) \to \bc_{i+1}(B^n; c)$ by adding
       
   470 an $(i{+}1)$-st blob equal to all of $B^n$.
       
   471 In other words, add a new outermost blob which encloses all of the others.
       
   472 Define $h_0 : \bc_0(B^n; c) \to \bc_1(B^n; c)$ by setting $h_0(x)$ equal to
       
   473 the 1-blob with blob $B^n$ and label $x - s(p(x)) \in U(B^n; c)$.
       
   474 \nn{$x$ is a 0-blob diagram, i.e. $x \in \cC(B^n; c)$}
       
   475 \end{proof}
       
   476 
       
   477 (Note that for the above proof to work, we need the linear label relations 
       
   478 for blob labels.
       
   479 Also we need to blob reordering relations (?).)
       
   480 
       
   481 (Note also that if there is no splitting $s$, we can let $h_0 = 0$ and get a homotopy
       
   482 equivalence to the 2-step complex $U(B^n; c) \to \cC(B^n; c)$.)
       
   483 
       
   484 (For fields based on $n$-cats, $H_0(\bc_*(B^n; c)) \cong \mor(c', c'')$.)
       
   485 
       
   486 \medskip
       
   487 
       
   488 As we noted above,
       
   489 \begin{prop}
       
   490 There is a natural isomorphism $H_0(\bc_*(X)) \cong A(X)$.
       
   491 \qed
       
   492 \end{prop}
       
   493 
       
   494 
       
   495 \begin{prop}
       
   496 For fixed fields ($n$-cat), $\bc_*$ is a functor from the category
       
   497 of $n$-manifolds and diffeomorphisms to the category of chain complexes and 
       
   498 (chain map) isomorphisms.
       
   499 \qed
       
   500 \end{prop}
       
   501 
       
   502 
       
   503 In particular,
       
   504 \begin{prop}  \label{diff0prop}
       
   505 There is an action of $\Diff(X)$ on $\bc_*(X)$.
       
   506 \qed
       
   507 \end{prop}
       
   508 
       
   509 The above will be greatly strengthened in Section \ref{diffsect}.
       
   510 
       
   511 \medskip
       
   512 
       
   513 For the next proposition we will temporarily restore $n$-manifold boundary
       
   514 conditions to the notation.
       
   515 
       
   516 Let $X$ be an $n$-manifold, $\bd X = Y \cup (-Y) \cup Z$.
       
   517 Gluing the two copies of $Y$ together yields an $n$-manifold $X\sgl$
       
   518 with boundary $Z\sgl$.
       
   519 Given compatible fields (pictures, boundary conditions) $a$, $b$ and $c$ on $Y$, $-Y$ and $Z$,
       
   520 we have the blob complex $\bc_*(X; a, b, c)$.
       
   521 If $b = -a$ (the orientation reversal of $a$), then we can glue up blob diagrams on
       
   522 $X$ to get blob diagrams on $X\sgl$:
       
   523 
       
   524 \begin{prop}
       
   525 There is a natural chain map
       
   526 \eq{
       
   527 	\gl: \bigoplus_a \bc_*(X; a, -a, c) \to \bc_*(X\sgl; c\sgl).
       
   528 }
       
   529 The sum is over all fields $a$ on $Y$ compatible at their 
       
   530 ($n{-}2$-dimensional) boundaries with $c$.
       
   531 `Natural' means natural with respect to the actions of diffeomorphisms.
       
   532 \qed
       
   533 \end{prop}
       
   534 
       
   535 The above map is very far from being an isomorphism, even on homology.
       
   536 This will be fixed in Section \ref{gluesect} below.
       
   537 
       
   538 An instance of gluing we will encounter frequently below is where $X = X_1 \du X_2$
       
   539 and $X\sgl = X_1 \cup_Y X_2$.
       
   540 (Typically one of $X_1$ or $X_2$ is a disjoint union of balls.)
       
   541 For $x_i \in \bc_*(X_i)$, we introduce the notation
       
   542 \eq{
       
   543 	x_1 \bullet x_2 \deq \gl(x_1 \otimes x_2) .
       
   544 }
       
   545 Note that we have resumed our habit of omitting boundary labels from the notation.
       
   546 
       
   547 
       
   548 \bigskip
       
   549 
       
   550 \nn{what else?}
       
   551 
       
   552 
       
   553 
       
   554 
       
   555 \section{$n=1$ and Hochschild homology}
       
   556 
       
   557 In this section we analyze the blob complex in dimension $n=1$
       
   558 and find that for $S^1$ the homology of the blob complex is the 
       
   559 Hochschild homology of the category (algebroid) that we started with.
       
   560 
       
   561 Notation: $HB_i(X) = H_i(\bc_*(X))$.
       
   562 
       
   563 Let us first note that there is no loss of generality in assuming that our system of 
       
   564 fields comes from a category.
       
   565 (Or maybe (???) there {\it is} a loss of generality.
       
   566 Given any system of fields, $A(I; a, b) = \cC(I; a, b)/U(I; a, b)$ can be 
       
   567 thought of as the morphisms of a 1-category $C$.
       
   568 More specifically, the objects of $C$ are $\cC(pt)$, the morphisms from $a$ to $b$
       
   569 are $A(I; a, b)$, and composition is given by gluing.
       
   570 If we instead take our fields to be $C$-pictures, the $\cC(pt)$ does not change
       
   571 and neither does $A(I; a, b) = HB_0(I; a, b)$.
       
   572 But what about $HB_i(I; a, b)$ for $i > 0$?
       
   573 Might these higher blob homology groups be different?
       
   574 Seems unlikely, but I don't feel like trying to prove it at the moment.
       
   575 In any case, we'll concentrate on the case of fields based on 1-category
       
   576 pictures for the rest of this section.)
       
   577 
       
   578 (Another question: $\bc_*(I)$ is an $A_\infty$-category.
       
   579 How general of an $A_\infty$-category is it?
       
   580 Given an arbitrary $A_\infty$-category can one find fields and local relations so
       
   581 that $\bc_*(I)$ is in some sense equivalent to the original $A_\infty$-category?
       
   582 Probably not, unless we generalize to the case where $n$-morphisms are complexes.)
       
   583 
       
   584 Continuing...
       
   585 
       
   586 Let $C$ be a *-1-category.
       
   587 Then specializing the definitions from above to the case $n=1$ we have:
       
   588 \begin{itemize}
       
   589 \item $\cC(pt) = \ob(C)$ .
       
   590 \item Let $R$ be a 1-manifold and $c \in \cC(\bd R)$.
       
   591 Then an element of $\cC(R; c)$ is a collection of (transversely oriented) 
       
   592 points in the interior
       
   593 of $R$, each labeled by a morphism of $C$.
       
   594 The intervals between the points are labeled by objects of $C$, consistent with
       
   595 the boundary condition $c$ and the domains and ranges of the point labels.
       
   596 \item There is an evaluation map $e: \cC(I; a, b) \to \mor(a, b)$ given by
       
   597 composing the morphism labels of the points.
       
   598 \item For $x \in \mor(a, b)$ let $\chi(x) \in \cC(I; a, b)$ be the field with a single
       
   599 point (at some standard location) labeled by $x$.
       
   600 Then the kernel of the evaluation map $U(I; a, b)$ is generated by things of the 
       
   601 form $y - \chi(e(y))$.
       
   602 Thus we can, if we choose, restrict the blob twig labels to things of this form.
       
   603 \end{itemize}
       
   604 
       
   605 We want to show that $HB_*(S^1)$ is naturally isomorphic to the 
       
   606 Hochschild homology of $C$.
       
   607 \nn{Or better that the complexes are homotopic
       
   608 or quasi-isomorphic.}
       
   609 In order to prove this we will need to extend the blob complex to allow points to also
       
   610 be labeled by elements of $C$-$C$-bimodules.
       
   611 %Given an interval (1-ball) so labeled, there is an evaluation map to some tensor product
       
   612 %(over $C$) of $C$-$C$-bimodules.
       
   613 %Define the local relations $U(I; a, b)$ to be the direct sum of the kernels of these maps.
       
   614 %Now we can define the blob complex for $S^1$.
       
   615 %This complex is the sum of complexes with a fixed cyclic tuple of bimodules present.
       
   616 %If $M$ is a $C$-$C$-bimodule, let $G_*(M)$ denote the summand of $\bc_*(S^1)$ corresponding
       
   617 %to the cyclic 1-tuple $(M)$.
       
   618 %In other words, $G_*(M)$ is a blob-like complex where exactly one point is labeled
       
   619 %by an element of $M$ and the remaining points are labeled by morphisms of $C$.
       
   620 %It's clear that $G_*(C)$ is isomorphic to the original bimodule-less
       
   621 %blob complex for $S^1$.
       
   622 %\nn{Is it really so clear?  Should say more.}
       
   623 
       
   624 %\nn{alternative to the above paragraph:}
       
   625 Fix points $p_1, \ldots, p_k \in S^1$ and $C$-$C$-bimodules $M_1, \ldots M_k$.
       
   626 We define a blob-like complex $F_*(S^1, (p_i), (M_i))$.
       
   627 The fields have elements of $M_i$ labeling $p_i$ and elements of $C$ labeling
       
   628 other points.
       
   629 The blob twig labels lie in kernels of evaluation maps.
       
   630 (The range of these evaluation maps is a tensor product (over $C$) of $M_i$'s.)
       
   631 Let $F_*(M) = F_*(S^1, (*), (M))$, where $* \in S^1$ is some standard base point.
       
   632 In other words, fields for $F_*(M)$ have an element of $M$ at the fixed point $*$
       
   633 and elements of $C$ at variable other points.
       
   634 
       
   635 We claim that the homology of $F_*(M)$ is isomorphic to the Hochschild
       
   636 homology of $M$.
       
   637 \nn{Or maybe we should claim that $M \to F_*(M)$ is the/a derived coend.
       
   638 Or maybe that $F_*(M)$ is quasi-isomorphic (or perhaps homotopic) to the Hochschild
       
   639 complex of $M$.}
       
   640 This follows from the following lemmas:
       
   641 \begin{itemize}
       
   642 \item $F_*(M_1 \oplus M_2) \cong F_*(M_1) \oplus F_*(M_2)$.
       
   643 \item An exact sequence $0 \to M_1 \to M_2 \to M_3 \to 0$
       
   644 gives rise to an exact sequence $0 \to F_*(M_1) \to F_*(M_2) \to F_*(M_3) \to 0$.
       
   645 (See below for proof.)
       
   646 \item $F_*(C\otimes C)$ (the free $C$-$C$-bimodule with one generator) is
       
   647 homotopic to the 0-step complex $C$.
       
   648 (See below for proof.)
       
   649 \item $F_*(C)$ (here $C$ is wearing its $C$-$C$-bimodule hat) is homotopic to $\bc_*(S^1)$.
       
   650 (See below for proof.)
       
   651 \end{itemize}
       
   652 
       
   653 First we show that $F_*(C\otimes C)$ is
       
   654 homotopic to the 0-step complex $C$.
       
   655 
       
   656 Let $F'_* \sub F_*(C\otimes C)$ be the subcomplex where the label of  
       
   657 the point $*$ is $1 \otimes 1 \in C\otimes C$.
       
   658 We will show that the inclusion $i: F'_* \to F_*(C\otimes C)$ is a quasi-isomorphism.
       
   659 
       
   660 Fix a small $\ep > 0$.
       
   661 Let $B_\ep$ be the ball of radius $\ep$ around $* \in S^1$.
       
   662 Let $F^\ep_* \sub F_*(C\otimes C)$ be the subcomplex where $B_\ep$ is either disjoint from
       
   663 or contained in all blobs, and the two boundary points of $B_\ep$ are not labeled points.
       
   664 For a field (picture) $y$ on $B_\ep$, let $s_\ep(y)$ be the equivalent picture with~$*$
       
   665 labeled by $1\otimes 1$ and the only other labeled points at distance $\pm\ep/2$ from $*$.
       
   666 (See Figure xxxx.)
       
   667 \nn{maybe it's simpler to assume that there are no labeled points, other than $*$, in $B_\ep$.}
       
   668 
       
   669 Define a degree 1 chain map $j_\ep : F^\ep_* \to F^\ep_*$ as follows.
       
   670 Let $x \in F^\ep_*$ be a blob diagram.
       
   671 If $*$ is not contained in any twig blob, $j_\ep(x)$ is obtained by adding $B_\ep$ to
       
   672 $x$ as a new twig blob, with label $y - s_\ep(y)$, where $y$ is the restriction of $x$ to $B_\ep$.
       
   673 If $*$ is contained in a twig blob $B$ with label $u = \sum z_i$, $j_\ep(x)$ is obtained as follows.
       
   674 Let $y_i$ be the restriction of $z_i$ to $*$.
       
   675 Let $x_i$ be equal to $x$ outside of $B$, equal to $z_i$ on $B \setmin B_\ep$, 
       
   676 and have an additional blob $B_\ep$ with label $y_i - s_\ep(y_i)$.
       
   677 Define $j_\ep(x) = \sum x_i$.
       
   678 
       
   679 Note that if $x \in F'_* \cap F^\ep_*$ then $j_\ep(x) \in F'_*$ also.
       
   680 
       
   681 The key property of $j_\ep$ is
       
   682 \eq{
       
   683 	\bd j_\ep + j_\ep \bd = \id - \sigma_\ep ,
       
   684 }
       
   685 where $\sigma_\ep : F^\ep_* \to F^\ep_*$ is given by replacing the restriction of each field
       
   686 mentioned in $x \in F^\ep_*$ (call the restriction $y$) with $s_\ep(y)$.
       
   687 Note that $\sigma_\ep(x) \in F'$.
       
   688 
       
   689 If $j_\ep$ were defined on all of $F_*(C\otimes C)$, it would show that $\sigma_\ep$
       
   690 is a homotopy inverse to the inclusion $F'_* \to F_*(C\otimes C)$.
       
   691 One strategy would be to try to stitch together various $j_\ep$ for progressively smaller
       
   692 $\ep$ and show that $F'_*$ is homotopy equivalent to $F_*(C\otimes C)$.
       
   693 Instead, we'll be less ambitious and just show that 
       
   694 $F'_*$ is quasi-isomorphic to $F_*(C\otimes C)$.
       
   695 
       
   696 If $x$ is a cycle in $F_*(C\otimes C)$, then for sufficiently small $\ep$
       
   697 $x \in F_*^\ep$.
       
   698 (This is true for any chain in $F_*(C\otimes C)$, since chains are sums of
       
   699 finitely many blob diagrams.)
       
   700 Then $x$ is homologous to $s_\ep(x)$, which is in $F'_*$, so the inclusion map
       
   701 is surjective on homology.
       
   702 If $y \in F_*(C\otimes C)$ and $\bd y = x \in F'_*$, then $y \in F^\ep_*$ for some $\ep$
       
   703 and
       
   704 \eq{
       
   705 	\bd x = \bd (\sigma_\ep(y) + j_\ep(x)) .
       
   706 }
       
   707 Since $\sigma_\ep(y) + j_\ep(x) \in F'$, it follows that the inclusion map is injective on homology.
       
   708 This completes the proof that $F'_*$ is quasi-isomorphic to $F_*(C\otimes C)$.
       
   709 
       
   710 \medskip
       
   711 
       
   712 Let $F''_* \sub F'_*$ be the subcomplex of $F'_*$ where $*$ is not contained in any blob.
       
   713 We will show that the inclusion $i: F''_* \to F'_*$ is a homotopy equivalence.
       
   714 
       
   715 First, a lemma:  Let $G''_*$ and $G'_*$ be defined the same as $F''_*$ and $F'_*$, except with
       
   716 $S^1$ replaced some (any) neighborhood of $* \in S^1$.
       
   717 Then $G''_*$ and $G'_*$ are both contractible.
       
   718 For $G'_*$ the proof is the same as in (\ref{bcontract}), except that the splitting
       
   719 $G'_0 \to H_0(G'_*)$ concentrates the point labels at two points to the right and left of $*$.
       
   720 For $G''_*$ we note that any cycle is supported \nn{need to establish terminology for this; maybe
       
   721 in ``basic properties" section above} away from $*$.
       
   722 Thus any cycle lies in the image of the normal blob complex of a disjoint union
       
   723 of two intervals, which is contractible by (\ref{bcontract}) and (\ref{disjunion}).
       
   724 Actually, we need the further (easy) result that the inclusion
       
   725 $G''_* \to G'_*$ induces an isomorphism on $H_0$.
       
   726 
       
   727 Next we construct a degree 1 map (homotopy) $h: F'_* \to F'_*$ such that
       
   728 for all $x \in F'_*$ we have
       
   729 \eq{
       
   730 	x - \bd h(x) - h(\bd x) \in F''_* .
       
   731 }
       
   732 Since $F'_0 = F''_0$, we can take $h_0 = 0$.
       
   733 Let $x \in F'_1$, with single blob $B \sub S^1$.
       
   734 If $* \notin B$, then $x \in F''_1$ and we define $h_1(x) = 0$.
       
   735 If $* \in B$, then we work in the image of $G'_*$ and $G''_*$ (with respect to $B$).
       
   736 Choose $x'' \in G''_1$ such that $\bd x'' = \bd x$.
       
   737 Since $G'_*$ is contractible, there exists $y \in G'_2$ such that $\bd y = x - x''$.
       
   738 Define $h_1(x) = y$.
       
   739 The general case is similar, except that we have to take lower order homotopies into account.
       
   740 Let $x \in F'_k$.
       
   741 If $*$ is not contained in any of the blobs of $x$, then define $h_k(x) = 0$.
       
   742 Otherwise, let $B$ be the outermost blob of $x$ containing $*$.
       
   743 By xxxx above, $x = x' \bullet p$, where $x'$ is supported on $B$ and $p$ is supported away from $B$.
       
   744 So $x' \in G'_l$ for some $l \le k$.
       
   745 Choose $x'' \in G''_l$ such that $\bd x'' = \bd (x' - h_{l-1}\bd x')$.
       
   746 Choose $y \in G'_{l+1}$ such that $\bd y = x' - x'' - h_{l-1}\bd x'$.
       
   747 Define $h_k(x) = y \bullet p$.
       
   748 This completes the proof that $i: F''_* \to F'_*$ is a homotopy equivalence.
       
   749 \nn{need to say above more clearly and settle on notation/terminology}
       
   750 
       
   751 Finally, we show that $F''_*$ is contractible.
       
   752 \nn{need to also show that $H_0$ is the right thing; easy, but I won't do it now}
       
   753 Let $x$ be a cycle in $F''_*$.
       
   754 The union of the supports of the diagrams in $x$ does not contain $*$, so there exists a 
       
   755 ball $B \subset S^1$ containing the union of the supports and not containing $*$.
       
   756 Adding $B$ as a blob to $x$ gives a contraction.
       
   757 \nn{need to say something else in degree zero}
       
   758 
       
   759 This completes the proof that $F_*(C\otimes C)$ is
       
   760 homotopic to the 0-step complex $C$.
       
   761 
       
   762 \medskip
       
   763 
       
   764 Next we show that $F_*(C)$ is homotopic \nn{q-isom?} to $\bc_*(S^1)$
       
   765 \nn{...}
       
   766 
       
   767 \bigskip
       
   768 
       
   769 \nn{still need to prove exactness claim}
       
   770 
       
   771 \nn{What else needs to be said to establish quasi-isomorphism to Hochschild complex?
       
   772 Do we need a map from hoch to blob?
       
   773 Does the above exactness and contractibility guarantee such a map without writing it
       
   774 down explicitly?
       
   775 Probably it's worth writing down an explicit map even if we don't need to.}
       
   776 
       
   777 
       
   778 
       
   779 \section{Action of $C_*(\Diff(X))$}  \label{diffsect}
       
   780 
       
   781 Let $CD_*(X)$ denote $C_*(\Diff(X))$, the singular chain complex of
       
   782 the space of diffeomorphisms
       
   783 of the $n$-manifold $X$ (fixed on $\bd X$).
       
   784 For convenience, we will permit the singular cells generating $CD_*(X)$ to be more general
       
   785 than simplices --- they can be based on any linear polyhedron.
       
   786 \nn{be more restrictive here?  does more need to be said?}
       
   787 
       
   788 \begin{prop}  \label{CDprop}
       
   789 For each $n$-manifold $X$ there is a chain map
       
   790 \eq{
       
   791 	e_X : CD_*(X) \otimes \bc_*(X) \to \bc_*(X) .
       
   792 }
       
   793 On $CD_0(X) \otimes \bc_*(X)$ it agrees with the obvious action of $\Diff(X)$ on $\bc_*(X)$
       
   794 (Proposition (\ref{diff0prop})).
       
   795 For any splitting $X = X_1 \cup X_2$, the following diagram commutes
       
   796 \eq{ \xymatrix{
       
   797 	 CD_*(X) \otimes \bc_*(X) \ar[r]^{e_X}    & \bc_*(X) \\
       
   798 	 CD_*(X_1) \otimes CD_*(X_2) \otimes \bc_*(X_1) \otimes \bc_*(X_2) 
       
   799 	 	\ar@/_4ex/[r]_{e_{X_1} \otimes e_{X_2}}  \ar[u]^{\gl \otimes \gl}  & 
       
   800 			\bc_*(X_1) \otimes \bc_*(X_2) \ar[u]_{\gl}
       
   801 } }
       
   802 Any other map satisfying the above two properties is homotopic to $e_X$.
       
   803 \end{prop}
       
   804 
       
   805 The proof will occupy the remainder of this section.
       
   806 
       
   807 \medskip
       
   808 
       
   809 Let $f: P \times X \to X$ be a family of diffeomorphisms and $S \sub X$.
       
   810 We say that {\it $f$ is supported on $S$} if $f(p, x) = f(q, x)$ for all
       
   811 $x \notin S$ and $p, q \in P$.
       
   812 Note that if $f$ is supported on $S$ then it is also supported on any $R \sup S$.
       
   813 
       
   814 Let $\cU = \{U_\alpha\}$ be an open cover of $X$.
       
   815 A $k$-parameter family of diffeomorphisms $f: P \times X \to X$ is
       
   816 {\it adapted to $\cU$} if there is a factorization
       
   817 \eq{
       
   818 	P = P_1 \times \cdots \times P_m
       
   819 }
       
   820 (for some $m \le k$)
       
   821 and families of diffeomorphisms
       
   822 \eq{
       
   823 	f_i :  P_i \times X \to X
       
   824 }
       
   825 such that 
       
   826 \begin{itemize}
       
   827 \item each $f_i(p, \cdot): X \to X$ is supported on some connected $V_i \sub X$;
       
   828 \item the $V_i$'s are mutually disjoint;
       
   829 \item each $V_i$ is the union of at most $k_i$ of the $U_\alpha$'s, 
       
   830 where $k_i = \dim(P_i)$; and
       
   831 \item $f(p, \cdot) = f_1(p_1, \cdot) \circ \cdots \circ f_m(p_m, \cdot)$
       
   832 for all $p = (p_1, \ldots, p_m)$.
       
   833 \end{itemize}
       
   834 A chain $x \in C_k(\Diff(M))$ is (by definition) adapted to $\cU$ if is is the sum
       
   835 of singular cells, each of which is adapted to $\cU$.
       
   836 
       
   837 \begin{lemma}  \label{extension_lemma}
       
   838 Let $x \in CD_k(X)$ be a singular chain such that $\bd x$ is adapted to $\cU$.
       
   839 Then $x$ is homotopic (rel boundary) to some $x' \in CD_k(X)$ which is adapted to $\cU$.
       
   840 \end{lemma}
       
   841 
       
   842 The proof will be given in Section \ref{fam_diff_sect}.
       
   843 
       
   844 \medskip
       
   845 
       
   846 Let $B_1, \ldots, B_m$ be a collection of disjoint balls in $X$ 
       
   847 (e.g.~the support of a blob diagram).
       
   848 We say that $f:P\times X\to X$ is {\it compatible} with $\{B_j\}$ if
       
   849 $f$ has support a disjoint collection of balls $D_i \sub X$ and for all $i$ and $j$
       
   850 either $B_j \sub D_i$ or $B_j \cap D_i = \emptyset$.
       
   851 A chain $x \in CD_k(X)$ is compatible with $\{B_j\}$ if it is a sum of singular cells, 
       
   852 each of which is compatible.
       
   853 (Note that we could strengthen the definition of compatibility to incorporate
       
   854 a factorization condition, similar to the definition of ``adapted to" above.
       
   855 The weaker definition given here will suffice for our needs below.)
       
   856 
       
   857 \begin{cor}  \label{extension_lemma_2}
       
   858 Let $x \in CD_k(X)$ be a singular chain such that $\bd x$ is compatible with $\{B_j\}$.
       
   859 Then $x$ is homotopic (rel boundary) to some $x' \in CD_k(X)$ which is compatible with $\{B_j\}$.
       
   860 \end{cor}
       
   861 \begin{proof}
       
   862 This will follow from Lemma \ref{extension_lemma} for 
       
   863 appropriate choice of cover $\cU = \{U_\alpha\}$.
       
   864 Let $U_{\alpha_1}, \ldots, U_{\alpha_k}$ be any $k$ open sets of $\cU$, and let
       
   865 $V_1, \ldots, V_m$ be the connected components of $U_{\alpha_1}\cup\cdots\cup U_{\alpha_k}$.
       
   866 Choose $\cU$ fine enough so that there exist disjoint balls $B'_j \sup B_j$ such that for all $i$ and $j$
       
   867 either $V_i \sub B'_j$ or $V_i \cap B'_j = \emptyset$.
       
   868 
       
   869 Apply Lemma \ref{extension_lemma} first to each singular cell $f_i$ of $\bd x$, 
       
   870 with the (compatible) support of $f_i$ in place of $X$.
       
   871 This insures that the resulting homotopy $h_i$ is compatible.
       
   872 Now apply Lemma \ref{extension_lemma} to $x + \sum h_i$.
       
   873 \nn{actually, need to start with the 0-skeleton of $\bd x$, then 1-skeleton, etc.; fix this}
       
   874 \end{proof}
       
   875 
       
   876 
       
   877 
       
   878 
       
   879 \section{Families of Diffeomorphisms}  \label{fam_diff_sect}
       
   880 
       
   881 
       
   882 Lo, the proof of Lemma (\ref{extension_lemma}):
       
   883 
       
   884 \nn{should this be an appendix instead?}
       
   885 
       
   886 \nn{for pedagogical reasons, should do $k=1,2$ cases first; probably do this in
       
   887 later draft}
       
   888 
       
   889 \nn{not sure what the best way to deal with boundary is; for now just give main argument, worry
       
   890 about boundary later}
       
   891 
       
   892 Recall that we are given 
       
   893 an open cover $\cU = \{U_\alpha\}$ and an
       
   894 $x \in CD_k(X)$ such that $\bd x$ is adapted to $\cU$.
       
   895 We must find a homotopy of $x$ (rel boundary) to some $x' \in CD_k(X)$ which is adapted to $\cU$.
       
   896 
       
   897 Let $\{r_\alpha : X \to [0,1]\}$ be a partition of unity for $\cU$.
       
   898 
       
   899 As a first approximation to the argument we will eventually make, let's replace $x$
       
   900 with a single singular cell 
       
   901 \eq{
       
   902 	f: P \times X \to X .
       
   903 }
       
   904 Also, we'll ignore for now issues around $\bd P$.
       
   905 
       
   906 Our homotopy will have the form
       
   907 \eqar{
       
   908 	F: I \times P \times X &\to& X \\
       
   909 	(t, p, x) &\mapsto& f(u(t, p, x), x)
       
   910 }
       
   911 for some function
       
   912 \eq{
       
   913 	u : I \times P \times X \to P .
       
   914 }
       
   915 First we describe $u$, then we argue that it does what we want it to do.
       
   916 
       
   917 For each cover index $\alpha$ choose a cell decomposition $K_\alpha$ of $P$.
       
   918 The various $K_\alpha$ should be in general position with respect to each other.
       
   919 We will see below that the $K_\alpha$'s need to be sufficiently fine in order
       
   920 to insure that $F$ above is a homotopy through diffeomorphisms of $X$ and not
       
   921 merely a homotopy through maps $X\to X$.
       
   922 
       
   923 Let $L$ be the union of all the $K_\alpha$'s.
       
   924 $L$ is itself a cell decomposition of $P$.
       
   925 \nn{next two sentences not needed?}
       
   926 To each cell $a$ of $L$ we associate the tuple $(c_\alpha)$,
       
   927 where $c_\alpha$ is the codimension of the cell of $K_\alpha$ which contains $c$.
       
   928 Since the $K_\alpha$'s are in general position, we have $\sum c_\alpha \le k$.
       
   929 
       
   930 Let $J$ denote the handle decomposition of $P$ corresponding to $L$.
       
   931 Each $i$-handle $C$ of $J$ has an $i$-dimensional tangential coordinate and,
       
   932 more importantly, a $k{-}i$-dimensional normal coordinate.
       
   933 
       
   934 For each $k$-cell $c$ of each $K_\alpha$, choose a point $p_c \in c \sub P$.
       
   935 Let $D$ be a $k$-handle of $J$, and let $d$ also denote the corresponding
       
   936 $k$-cell of $L$.
       
   937 To $D$ we associate the tuple $(c_\alpha)$ of $k$-cells of the $K_\alpha$'s
       
   938 which contain $d$, and also the corresponding tuple $(p_{c_\alpha})$ of points in $P$.
       
   939 
       
   940 For $p \in D$ we define
       
   941 \eq{
       
   942 	u(t, p, x) = (1-t)p + t \sum_\alpha r_\alpha(x) p_{c_\alpha} .
       
   943 }
       
   944 (Recall that $P$ is a single linear cell, so the weighted average of points of $P$
       
   945 makes sense.)
       
   946 
       
   947 So far we have defined $u(t, p, x)$ when $p$ lies in a $k$-handle of $J$.
       
   948 For handles of $J$ of index less than $k$, we will define $u$ to 
       
   949 interpolate between the values on $k$-handles defined above.
       
   950 
       
   951 If $p$ lies in a $k{-}1$-handle $E$, let $\eta : E \to [0,1]$ be the normal coordinate 
       
   952 of $E$.
       
   953 In particular, $\eta$ is equal to 0 or 1 only at the intersection of $E$
       
   954 with a $k$-handle.
       
   955 Let $\beta$ be the index of the $K_\beta$ containing the $k{-}1$-cell
       
   956 corresponding to $E$.
       
   957 Let $q_0, q_1 \in P$ be the points associated to the two $k$-cells of $K_\beta$
       
   958 adjacent to the $k{-}1$-cell corresponding to $E$.
       
   959 For $p \in E$, define
       
   960 \eq{
       
   961 	u(t, p, x) = (1-t)p + t \left( \sum_{\alpha \ne \beta} r_\alpha(x) p_{c_\alpha}
       
   962 			+ r_\beta(x) (\eta(p) q_1 + (1-\eta(p)) q_0) \right) .
       
   963 }
       
   964 
       
   965 In general, for $E$ a $k{-}j$-handle, there is a normal coordinate
       
   966 $\eta: E \to R$, where $R$ is some $j$-dimensional polyhedron.
       
   967 The vertices of $R$ are associated to $k$-cells of the $K_\alpha$, and thence to points of $P$.
       
   968 If we triangulate $R$ (without introducing new vertices), we can linearly extend
       
   969 a map from the the vertices of $R$ into $P$ to a map of all of $R$ into $P$.
       
   970 Let $\cN$ be the set of all $\beta$ for which $K_\beta$ has a $k$-cell whose boundary meets
       
   971 the $k{-}j$-cell corresponding to $E$.
       
   972 For each $\beta \in \cN$, let $\{q_{\beta i}\}$ be the set of points in $P$ associated to the aforementioned $k$-cells.
       
   973 Now define, for $p \in E$,
       
   974 \eq{
       
   975 	u(t, p, x) = (1-t)p + t \left( 
       
   976 			\sum_{\alpha \notin \cN} r_\alpha(x) p_{c_\alpha}
       
   977 				+ \sum_{\beta \in \cN} r_\beta(x) \left( \sum_i \eta_{\beta i}(p) \cdot q_{\beta i} \right)
       
   978 			 \right) .
       
   979 }
       
   980 Here $\eta_{\beta i}(p)$ is the weight given to $q_{\beta i}$ by the linear extension
       
   981 mentioned above.
       
   982 
       
   983 This completes the definition of $u: I \times P \times X \to P$.
       
   984 
       
   985 \medskip
       
   986 
       
   987 Next we verify that $u$ has the desired properties.
       
   988 
       
   989 Since $u(0, p, x) = p$ for all $p\in P$ and $x\in X$, $F(0, p, x) = f(p, x)$ for all $p$ and $x$.
       
   990 Therefore $F$ is a homotopy from $f$ to something.
       
   991 
       
   992 Next we show that the the $K_\alpha$'s are sufficiently fine cell decompositions,
       
   993 then $F$ is a homotopy through diffeomorphisms.
       
   994 We must show that the derivative $\pd{F}{x}(t, p, x)$ is non-singular for all $(t, p, x)$.
       
   995 We have
       
   996 \eq{
       
   997 %	\pd{F}{x}(t, p, x) = \pd{f}{x}(u(t, p, x), x) + \pd{f}{p}(u(t, p, x), x) \pd{u}{x}(t, p, x) .
       
   998 	\pd{F}{x} = \pd{f}{x} + \pd{f}{p} \pd{u}{x} .
       
   999 }
       
  1000 Since $f$ is a family of diffeomorphisms, $\pd{f}{x}$ is non-singular and
       
  1001 \nn{bounded away from zero, or something like that}.
       
  1002 (Recall that $X$ and $P$ are compact.)
       
  1003 Also, $\pd{f}{p}$ is bounded.
       
  1004 So if we can insure that $\pd{u}{x}$ is sufficiently small, we are done.
       
  1005 It follows from Equation xxxx above that $\pd{u}{x}$ depends on $\pd{r_\alpha}{x}$
       
  1006 and the differences amongst the various $p_{c_\alpha}$'s and $q_{\beta i}$'s.
       
  1007 These differences are small if the cell decompositions $K_\alpha$ are sufficiently fine.
       
  1008 This completes the proof that $F$ is a homotopy through diffeomorphisms.
       
  1009 
       
  1010 \medskip
       
  1011 
       
  1012 Next we show that for each handle $D \sub P$, $F(1, \cdot, \cdot) : D\times X \to X$
       
  1013 is a singular cell adapted to $\cU$.
       
  1014 This will complete the proof of the lemma.
       
  1015 \nn{except for boundary issues and the `$P$ is a cell' assumption}
       
  1016 
       
  1017 Let $j$ be the codimension of $D$. 
       
  1018 (Or rather, the codimension of its corresponding cell.  From now on we will not make a distinction
       
  1019 between handle and corresponding cell.)
       
  1020 Then $j = j_1 + \cdots + j_m$, $0 \le m \le k$,
       
  1021 where the $j_i$'s are the codimensions of the $K_\alpha$
       
  1022 cells of codimension greater than 0 which intersect to form $D$.
       
  1023 We will show that
       
  1024 if the relevant $U_\alpha$'s are disjoint, then
       
  1025 $F(1, \cdot, \cdot) : D\times X \to X$
       
  1026 is a product of singular cells of dimensions $j_1, \ldots, j_m$.
       
  1027 If some of the relevant $U_\alpha$'s intersect, then we will get a product of singular
       
  1028 cells whose dimensions correspond to a partition of the $j_i$'s.
       
  1029 We will consider some simple special cases first, then do the general case.
       
  1030 
       
  1031 First consider the case $j=0$ (and $m=0$).
       
  1032 A quick look at Equation xxxx above shows that $u(1, p, x)$, and hence $F(1, p, x)$,
       
  1033 is independent of $p \in P$.
       
  1034 So the corresponding map $D \to \Diff(X)$ is constant.
       
  1035 
       
  1036 Next consider the case $j = 1$ (and $m=1$, $j_1=1$).
       
  1037 Now Equation yyyy applies.
       
  1038 We can write $D = D'\times I$, where the normal coordinate $\eta$ is constant on $D'$.
       
  1039 It follows that the singular cell $D \to \Diff(X)$ can be written as a product
       
  1040 of a constant map $D' \to \Diff(X)$ and a singular 1-cell $I \to \Diff(X)$.
       
  1041 The singular 1-cell is supported on $U_\beta$, since $r_\beta = 0$ outside of this set.
       
  1042 
       
  1043 Next case: $j=2$, $m=1$, $j_1 = 2$.
       
  1044 This is similar to the previous case, except that the normal bundle is 2-dimensional instead of 
       
  1045 1-dimensional.
       
  1046 We have that $D \to \Diff(X)$ is a product of a constant singular $k{-}2$-cell
       
  1047 and a 2-cell with support $U_\beta$.
       
  1048 
       
  1049 Next case: $j=2$, $m=2$, $j_1 = j_2 = 2$.
       
  1050 In this case the codimension 2 cell $D$ is the intersection of two
       
  1051 codimension 1 cells, from $K_\beta$ and $K_\gamma$.
       
  1052 We can write $D = D' \times I \times I$, where the normal coordinates are constant
       
  1053 on $D'$, and the two $I$ factors correspond to $\beta$ and $\gamma$.
       
  1054 If $U_\beta$ and $U_\gamma$ are disjoint, then we can factor $D$ into a constant $k{-}2$-cell and
       
  1055 two 1-cells, supported on $U_\beta$ and $U_\gamma$ respectively.
       
  1056 If $U_\beta$ and $U_\gamma$ intersect, then we can factor $D$ into a constant $k{-}2$-cell and
       
  1057 a 2-cell supported on $U_\beta \cup U_\gamma$.
       
  1058 \nn{need to check that this is true}
       
  1059 
       
  1060 \nn{finally, general case...}
       
  1061 
       
  1062 \nn{this completes proof}
       
  1063 
       
  1064 
       
  1065 
       
  1066 
       
  1067 \section{$A_\infty$ action on the boundary}
       
  1068 
       
  1069 
       
  1070 \section{Gluing}  \label{gluesect}
       
  1071 
       
  1072 \section{Extension to ...}
       
  1073 
       
  1074 (Need to let the input $n$-category $C$ be a graded thing 
       
  1075 (e.g.~DGA or $A_\infty$ $n$-category).)
       
  1076 
       
  1077 
       
  1078 \section{What else?...}
       
  1079 
       
  1080 \begin{itemize}
       
  1081 \item Derive Hochschild standard results from blob point of view?
       
  1082 \item $n=2$ examples
       
  1083 \item Kh
       
  1084 \item dimension $n+1$
       
  1085 \item should be clear about PL vs Diff; probably PL is better
       
  1086 (or maybe not)
       
  1087 \item say what we mean by $n$-category, $A_\infty$ or $E_\infty$ $n$-category
       
  1088 \item something about higher derived coend things (derived 2-coend, e.g.)
       
  1089 \end{itemize}
       
  1090 
       
  1091 
       
  1092 
       
  1093 \end{document}
       
  1094 
       
  1095 
       
  1096 
       
  1097 %Recall that for $n$-category picture fields there is an evaluation map
       
  1098 %$m: \bc_0(B^n; c, c') \to \mor(c, c')$.
       
  1099 %If we regard $\mor(c, c')$ as a complex concentrated in degree 0, then this becomes a chain
       
  1100 %map $m: \bc_*(B^n; c, c') \to \mor(c, c')$.
       
  1101 
       
  1102 
       
  1103