Questions tagged [at.algebraic-topology]
Homotopy theory, homological algebra, algebraic treatments of manifolds.
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Origins of the Nerve Theorem
Recently, I've read two papers which have cited the Nerve Theorem, one crediting Borsuk with the result and another Leray. Here is the question:
Who was the first to prove the Nerve Theorem?
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Is the equivariant cohomology an equivariant cohomology?
Suppose a finite group $G$ acts piecewise linearly on a polyhedron $X$. Then there are two kinds of equivariant cohomology (or homology).
$\bullet$ With coefficients in a $\Bbb Z G$-module $M$. A ...
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Poincaré-Hopf and Mathai-Quillen for Chern classes?
One. The Poincaré-Hopf theorem is usually stated as a formula for the Euler characteristic of the tangent bundle TM. Is there a version for Euler classes, of oriented real vector bundles?
It seems ...
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Does the Witten genus determine $\mathrm{tmf}$ (or $\mathrm{TMF}$)?
$\newcommand\specfont[1]{\mathrm{#1}}$$\newcommand\MSpin{\specfont{MSpin}}\newcommand\KO{\specfont{KO}}\newcommand\KU{\specfont{KU}}\newcommand\MString{\specfont{MString}}\newcommand\tmf{\specfont{tmf}...
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Is the mapping class group of $\Bbb{CP}^n$ known?
In his paper "Concordance spaces, higher simple homotopy theory, and applications", Hatcher calcuates the smooth, PL, and topological mapping class groups of the $n$-torus $T^n$. This requires an ...
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If $X\times Y$ is homotopy equivalent to a finite-dimensional CW Complex, are $X$ and $Y$ as well?
Is there a space $X$ that is not homotopy equivalent to a finite-dimensional CW complex for which there exists a space $Y$ such that the product space $X\times Y$ is homotopy equivalent to a finite-...
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Can we describe equivariant vector bundles of free group action in terms of descent theory (Barr-Beck theorem)?
It is well known that for a compact topological group $G$ acts (say, from the right) freely on a compact space $X$. Then the category of equivariant complex vector bundles on $X$, $\text{Vect}_G(X)$, ...
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What is the current knowledge of equivariant cohomology operations?
In Caruso's paper, "Operations in equivariant $Z/p$-cohomology," http://www.ams.org/mathscinet-getitem?mr=1684248, he shows that the integer-graded stable cohomology operations in $RO(\mathbb{Z}/p)$-...
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Which classes in $\mathrm{H}^4(B\mathrm{Exceptional}; \mathbb{Z})$ are classical characteristic classes?
Let $G$ be a compact connected Lie group. Recall that $\mathrm{H}^4(\mathrm{B}G;\mathbb{Z})$ is then a free abelian group of finite rank. Let us say that a class $c \in \mathrm{H}^4(\mathrm{B}G;\...
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Is the determinant of cohomology a TQFT?
If $M$ is an oriented $d$-manifold, let $D(M)$ denote the top exterior power of $H^*(M,\mathbf{C})$. Then $D(M_1 \amalg M_2) = D(M_1) \otimes D(M_2)$. Is there a good recipe for a map $D(M) \to D(N)$...
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On a homological finiteness condition
Assumption: $X$ is a connected CW complex, and $H_{\ast}(X;\mathbb{Z})=\bigoplus_{n \geq 0} H_n (X; \mathbb{Z})$ is finitely generated.
Question: does there exist a finite CW complex $Y$ and a map $f:...
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are there high-dimensional knots with non-trivial normal bundle?
Does there exist a smooth embedding $\varphi\colon S^k\to S^n$ such that $\varphi(S^k)$ has non-trivial normal bundle?
I looked at some of the old papers by Kervaire, Haefliger, Massey, Levine but I ...
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Homotopy type of the affine Grassmannian and of the Beilinson-Drinfeld Grassmannian
The affine Grassmannian of a complex reductive group $G$ (for simplicity one can assume $G=GL_n$) admits the structure of a complex topological space. More precisely, the functor $$X\mapsto |X^{an}|$$ ...
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Hodge star and harmonic simplicial differential forms
Is there a notion of harmonic forms and Hodge theory for Sullivan's piecewise smooth differential forms on a simplicial set?
Let me recall some background.
Hodge Theory on a Riemannian manifold
A ...
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Folk Functorial Figuring
In the CRM Proceedings & Lecture Notes Volume 50 "A Celebration of the Mathematical Legacy of Raoul Bott" Herbert Shulman writes (p. 48):
"[Bott] taught many of us to think functorially, like ...
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