Buchstaber invariant theory of simplicial complexes and convex polytopes

Abstract

The survey is devoted to the theory of a combinatorial invariant of simple convex polytopes and simplicial complexes that was introduced by V.M. Buchstaber on the basis of constructions of toric topology. We describe methods for calculating this invariant and its relation to other classical and modern combinatorial invariants and constructions, calculate the invariant for special classes of polytopes and simplicial complexes, and find a criterion for this invariant to be equal to a given small number. We also describe a relation to matroid theory, which allows one to apply the results of this theory to the description of the real Buchstaber number in terms of subcomplexes of the Alexander dual simplicial complex.