General Properties of Equivariant Cohomology

Abstract

This chapter assesses the general properties of equivariant cohomology. Both the homotopy quotient and equivariant cohomology are functorial constructions. Equivariant cohomology is particularly simple when the action is free. Throughout the chapter, by a G-space, it means a left G-space. Let G be a topological group and consider the category of G-spaces and G-maps. A morphism of left G-spaces is a G-equivariant map (or G-map). Such a morphism induces a map of homotopy quotients. The map in turn induces a ring homomorphism in cohomology. The chapter then looks at the coefficient ring of equivariant cohomology, as well as the equivariant cohomology of a disjoint union.