Generalized Cohomology Theories Research Articles

The spectrum for commutative complex K–theory

We study commutative complex $K$-theory, a generalised cohomology theory built from spaces of ordered commuting tuples in the unitary groups. We show that the spectrum for commutative complex $K$-theory is stably equivalent to the $ku$-group ring of $BU(1)$ and thus obtain a splitting of its representing space $B_{com}U$ as a product of all the terms in the Whitehead tower for $BU$, $B_{com}U\simeq BU\times BU\langle 4\rangle \times BU\langle 6\rangle \times \dots .$ As a consequence of the spectrum level identification we obtain the ring of coefficients for this theory. Using the rational Hopf ring for $B_{com}U$ we describe the relationship of our results with a previous computation of the rational cohomology algebra of $B_{com}U$. This gives an essentially complete description of the space $B_{com}U$ introduced by A. Adem and J. G\'omez.

Spectral sequences in smooth generalized cohomology

We consider spectral sequences in smooth generalized cohomology theories, including differential generalized cohomology theories. The main differential spectral sequences will be of the Atiyah-Hirzebruch (AHSS) type, where we provide a filtration by the Cech resolution of smooth manifolds. This allows for systematic study of torsion in differential cohomology. We apply this in detail to smooth Deligne cohomology, differential topological complex K-theory, and to a smooth extension of integral Morava K-theory that we introduce. In each case we explicitly identify the differentials in the corresponding spectral sequences, which exhibit an interesting and systematic interplay between (refinement of) classical cohomology operations, operations involving differential forms, and operations on cohomology with U(1) coefficients.

Topological field theories on manifolds with Wu structures

We construct invertible field theories generalizing abelian prequantum spin Chern–Simons theory to manifolds of dimension [Formula: see text] endowed with a Wu structure of degree [Formula: see text]. After analyzing the anomalies of a certain discrete symmetry, we gauge it, producing topological field theories whose path integral reduces to a finite sum, akin to Dijkgraaf–Witten theories. We take a general point of view where the Chern–Simons gauge group and its couplings are encoded in a local system of integral lattices. The Lagrangian of these theories has to be interpreted as a class in a generalized cohomology theory in order to obtain a gauge invariant action. We develop a computationally friendly cochain model for this generalized cohomology and use it in a detailed study of the properties of the Wu Chern–Simons action. In the 3-dimensional spin case, the latter provides a definition of the “fermionic correction” introduced recently in the literature on fermionic symmetry protected topological phases. In order to construct the state space of the gauged theories, we develop an analogue of geometric quantization for finite abelian groups endowed with a skew-symmetric pairing. The physical motivation for this work comes from the fact that in the [Formula: see text] case, the gauged 7-dimensional topological field theories constructed here are essentially the anomaly field theories of the 6-dimensional conformal field theories with [Formula: see text] supersymmetry, as will be discussed elsewhere.

Cohomology and $L^2$-Betti Numbers for Subfactors and Quasi-Regular Inclusions

Author(s): Popa, Sorin; Shlyakhtenko, Dimitri; Vaes, Stefaan | Abstract: We introduce $L^2$-Betti numbers, as well as a general homology and cohomology theory for the standard invariants of subfactors, through the associated quasi-regular symmetric enveloping inclusion of II_1 factors. We actually develop a (co)homology theory for arbitrary quasi-regular inclusions of von Neumann algebras. For crossed products by countable groups $\Gamma$, we recover the ordinary (co)homology of $\Gamma$. For Cartan subalgebras, we recover Gaboriau's $L^2$-Betti numbers for the associated equivalence relation. In this common framework, we prove that the $L^2$-Betti numbers vanish for amenable inclusions and we give cohomological characterizations of property (T), the Haagerup property and amenability. We compute the $L^2$-Betti numbers for the standard invariants of the Temperley-Lieb-Jones subfactors and of the Fuss-Catalan subfactors, as well as for free products and tensor products.

Towards generalized cohmology Schubert calculus via formal root polynomials

An important combinatorial result in equivariant cohomology and $K$-theory Schubert calculus is represented by the formulas of Billey and Graham-Willems for the localization of Schubert classes at torus fixed points. These formulas work uniformly in all Lie types, and are based on the concept of a root polynomial. In this paper we define formal root polynomials associated with an arbitrary formal group law (and thus a generalized cohomology theory). We focus on the case of the hyperbolic formal group law (corresponding to elliptic cohomology). We study some of the properties of formal root polynomials. We give applications to the efficient computation of the transition matrix between two natural bases of the formal Demazure algebra in the hyperbolic case. As a corollary, we rederive in a transparent and uniform manner the formulas of Billey and Graham-Willems. We also prove the corresponding formula in connective $K$-theory, which seems new, and a duality result in this case. Other applications, including some related to the computation of Bott-Samelson classes in elliptic cohomology, are also discussed.

Foundations of topological racks and quandles

We give a foundational account on topological racks and quandles. Specifically, we define the notions of ideals, kernels, units, and inner automorphism group in the context of topological racks. Further, we investigate topological rack modules and principal rack bundles. Central extensions of topological racks are then introduced providing a first step toward a general continuous cohomology theory for topological racks and quandles.

A Dixmier–Douady theory for strongly self-absorbing $C^\ast$-algebras II: the Brauer group

We have previously shown that the isomorphism classes of orientable locally trivial fields of C^\ast -algebras over a compact metrizable space X with fiber D \otimes \mathbb K , where D is a strongly self-absorbing C^\ast -algebra, form an abelian group under the operation of tensor product. Moreover this group is isomorphic to the first group \bar{E}^1_D (X) of the (reduced) generalized cohomology theory associated to the unit spectrum of topological K-theory with coefficients in D . Here we show that all the torsion elements of the group \bar{E}^1_D(X) arise from locally trivial fields with fiber D \otimes M_n (\mathbb C) , n\geq 1 , for all known examples of strongly self-absorbing C^\ast -algebras} D . Moreover the Brauer group generated by locally trivial fields with fiber {D\otimes M_n (\mathbb C)} , n\geq 1 is isomorphic to T or {\bar{E}^1_D(X)} .

A non-commutative model for higher twistedK-theory

We develop a operator algebraic model for twisted $K$-theory, which includes the most general twistings as a generalized cohomology theory (i.e. all those classified by the unit spectrum $bgl_1(KU)$). Our model is based on strongly self-absorbing $C^*$-algebras. We compare it with the known homotopy theoretic descriptions in the literature, which either use parametrized stable homotopy theory or $\infty$-categories. We derive a similar comparison of analytic twisted $K$-homology with its topological counterpart based on generalized Thom spectra. Our model also works for twisted versions of localizations of the $K$-theory spectrum, like $KU[1/n]$ or $KU_{\mathbb{Q}}$.

A Dixmier--Douady theory for strongly self-absorbing C *-algebras

Abstract We show that the Dixmier–Douady theory of continuous fields of C * C^{*} -algebras with compact operators 𝕂 {\mathbb{K}} as fibers extends significantly to a more general theory of fields with fibers A ⊗ \otimes 𝕂 \mathbb{K} where A is a strongly self-absorbing C * C^{*} -algebra. The classification of the corresponding locally trivial fields involves a generalized cohomology theory which is computable via the Atiyah–Hirzebruch spectral sequence. An important feature of the general theory is the appearance of characteristic classes in higher dimensions. We also give a necessary and sufficient K-theoretical condition for local triviality of these continuous fields over spaces of finite covering dimension.

On Schubert calculus in elliptic cohomology

An important combinatorial result in equivariant cohomology and $K$-theory Schubert calculus is represented by the formulas of Billey and Graham-Willems for the localization of Schubert classes at torus fixed points. These formulas work uniformly in all Lie types, and are based on the concept of a root polynomial. We define formal root polynomials associated with an arbitrary formal group law (and thus a generalized cohomology theory). We usethese polynomials to simplify the approach of Billey and Graham-Willems, as well as to generalize it to connective $K$-theory and elliptic cohomology. Another result is concerned with defining a Schubert basis in elliptic cohomology (i.e., classes independent of a reduced word), using the Kazhdan-Lusztig basis of the corresponding Hecke algebra. Un résultat combinatoire important dans le calcul de Schubert pour la cohomologie et la $K$-théorie équivariante est représenté par les formules de Billey et Graham-Willems pour la localisation des classes de Schubert aux points fixes du tore. Ces formules sont uniformes pour tous les types de Lie, et sont basés sur le concept d’un polynôme de racines. Nous définissons les polynômes formels de racines associées à une loi arbitraire de groupe formel (et donc à une théorie de cohomologie généralisée). Nous utilisons ces polynômes pour simplifier les preuves de Billey et Graham-Willems, et aussi pour généraliser leurs résultats à la $K$-théorie connective et la cohomologie elliptique. Un autre résultat concerne la définition d’une base de Schubert dans cohomologie elliptique (c’est à dire, des classes indépendantes d’un mot réduit), en utilisant la base de Kazhdan-Lusztig de l’algèbre de Hecke correspondant.

Hodge filtered complex bordism

We construct Hodge filtered cohomology groups for complex manifolds that combine the topological information of generalized cohomology theories with geometric data of Hodge filtered holomorphic forms. This theory provides a natural generalization of Deligne cohomology. For smooth complex algebraic varieties, we show that the theory satisfies a projective bundle formula and $\A^1$-homotopy invariance. Moreover, we obtain transfer maps along projective morphisms.

Formal plethories

Unstable operations in a generalized cohomology theory E give rise to a functor from the category of algebras over E⁎ to itself which is a colimit of representable functors and a comonoid with respect to composition of such functors. In this paper I set up a framework for studying the algebra of such functors, which I call formal plethories, in the case where E⁎ is a Prüfer ring. I show that the “logarithmic” functors of primitives and indecomposables give linear approximations of formal plethories by bimonoids in the 2-monoidal category of bimodules over a ring.

Schubert calculus and singularity theory

Schubert calculus has been in the intersection of several fast developing areas of mathematics for a long time. Originally invented as the description of the cohomology of homogeneous spaces, it has to be redesigned when applied to other generalized cohomology theories such as the equivariant, the quantum cohomology, K-theory, and cobordism. All this cohomology theories are different deformations of the ordinary cohomology. In this note, we show that there is, in some sense, the universal deformation of Schubert calculus which produces the above mentioned by specialization of the appropriate parameters. We build on the work of Lerche Vafa and Warner. The main conjecture these authors made was that the classical cohomology of a Hermitian symmetric homogeneous manifold is a Jacobi ring of an appropriate potential. We extend this conjecture and provide a simple proof. Namely, we show that the cohomology of the Hermitian symmetric space is a Jacobi ring of a certain potential and the equivariant and the quantum cohomology and the K-theory is a Jacobi ring of a particular deformation of this potential. This suggests to study the most general deformations of the Frobenius algebra of cohomology of these manifolds by considering the versal deformation of the appropriate potential. The structure of the Jacobi ring of such potential is a subject of well developed singularity theory. This gives a potentially new way to look at the classical, the equivariant, the quantum and other flavors of Schubert calculus.

STANDORT Info

Unstable operations in a generalized cohomology theory E give rise to a functor from the category of algebras over E to itself which is a colimit of representable functors and a comonoid with respect to composition of such functors. In this paper I set up a framework to study the algebra of such functors, which I call formal plethories, in the case where $E_*$ is a Pr\"ufer ring. I show that the "logarithmic" functors of primitives and indecomposables give linear approximations of formal plethories by bimonoids in the 2-monoidal category of bimodules over a ring.

Coalgebraic tensor product and homology operations

In their paper [4] Hunton and Turner set up the framework for homological algebra of coalgebraic rings and coalgebraic modules, which arise naturally in the study of ordinary and generalized homologies of infinite loop spaces. Their language has proved to be a useful tool both for describing (see eg Hunton and Turner [5] and Kashiwabara and Wilson [7]) and computing (see Kashiwabara [6]) homology of infinite loop spaces. Of course, such objects tend to get equipped with extra structures. For example the Steenrod algebra [11], the Dyer–Lashof algebra [3] or the algebra of cohomology operations for appropriate generalized cohomology theory (see Adams [1]) may act on these objects. Thus it is natural to ask if these actions can be extended to the algebraic constructions defined by Hunton and Turner, notably to the coalgebraic tensor product.

Uniqueness of smooth extensions of generalized cohomology theories

We provide an axiomatic framework for the study of smooth extensions of generalized cohomology theories. Our main results are about the uniqeness of smooth extensions, and the identification of the flat theory with the R/Z-theory. In particular, we show that there is a unique smooth extension of K-theory and of MU-cobordism with a unique multiplication, and that the flat theory in these cases is naturally isomorphic to the homotopy theorist's version of the cohomology theory with R/Z-coefficients. For this we only require a small set of natural compatibility conditions.

The hunting of the Hopf ring

We provide a new algebraic description of the structure on the set of all unstable cohomology operations for a suitable generalised cohomology theory, $E*(–)$. Our description is as a graded and completed version of a Tall-Wraith monoid. The $E*$-cohomology of a space $X$ is a module for this Tall-Wraith monoid. We also show that the corresponding Hopf ring of unstable co-operations is a module for the Tall-Wraith monoid of unstable operations. Further examples are provided by considering operations from one theory to another.

A higher twist in string theory

Considering the gauge field and its dual in heterotic string theory as a unified field, we show that the equations of motion at the rational level contain a twisted differential with a novel degree seven twist. This generalizes the usual degree three twist that lifts to twisted K-theory and raises the natural question of whether at the integral level the abelianized gauge fields belong to a generalized cohomology theory. Some remarks on possible such extension are given.

Extended powers and Steenrod operations in algebraic geometry

Steenrod operations were dened by Voedvodsky in motivic cohomology in order to prove the Milnor and Bloch-Kato conjectures. These operations have also been constructed by Brosnan for Chow rings [5]. The purpose of this paper is to provide a setting for the construction of the Steenrod operations in algebraic geometry, for generalized cohomology theories whose formal group law has order two. We adapt the methods used by Bisson-Joyal in studying Steenrod and Dyer-Lashof operations in unoriented cobordism and mod 2 cohomology.

The homotopy coniveau tower

We examine the "homotopy coniveau tower" for a general cohomology theory on smooth k-schemes and give a new proof that the layers of this tower for K-theory agree with motivic cohomology. In addition, the homotopy coniveau tower agrees with Voevodsky's slice tower for $S^1$-spectra, giving a proof of a connectedness conjecture of Voevodsky. The homotopy coniveau tower construction extends to a tower of functors on the Morel-Voevodsky stable homotopy category, and we identify this $P^1$-stable homotopy coniveau tower with Voevodsky's slice filtration for $P^1$-spectra. We also show that the 0th layer for the motivic sphere spectrum is the motivic cohomology spectrum, which gives the layers for a general $P^1$-spectrum the structure of a module over motivic cohomology. This recovers and extends recent results of Voevodsky on the 0th layer of the slice filtration, and yields a spectral sequence that is reminiscent of the classical Atiyah-Hirzebruch spectral sequence.