In algebraic topology, a simplicial homotopy is an analog of a homotopy between topological spaces for simplicial sets. Precisely,[1]pg 23 if

are maps between simplicial sets, a simplicial homotopy from f to g is a map

such that the restriction of along is and the restriction along is ; see [1]. In particular, and for all x in X.

Using the adjunction

,

the simplicial homotopy can also be thought of as a path in the simplicial set

A simplicial homotopy is in general not an equivalence relation.[2] However, if is a Kan complex (e.g., if is a Kan complex), then a homotopy from to is an equivalence relation.[3] Indeed, a Kan complex is an ∞-groupoid; i.e., every morphism (path) is invertible. Thus, if h is a homotopy from f to g, then the inverse of h is a homotopy from g to f, establishing that the relation is symmetric. The transitivity holds since a composition is possible.

Simplicial homotopy equivalence

If is a simplicial set and a Kan complex, then we form the quotient

where means are homotopic to each other. It is the set of the simplicial homotopy classes of maps from to . More generally, Quillen defines homotopy classes using the equivalence relation generated by the homotopy relation.

A map between Kan complexes is then called a simplicial homotopy equivalence if the homotopy class of it is bijective; i.e., there is some such that and .[3]

An obvious pointed version of the above consideration also holds.

Simplicial homotopy group

Let be the pushout along the boundary and n-times. Then, as in usual algebraic topology, we define

for each pointed Kan complex X and an integer .[4] It is the n-th simplicial homotopy group of X (or the set for ). For example, each class in amounts to a path-connected component of .

If is a pointed Kan complex, then the mapping space

from the base point to itself is also a Kan complex called the loop space of . It is also pointed with the base point the identity and so we can iterate: . It can be shown[5]

as pointed Kan complexes. Thus,

Now, we have the identification for the homotopy category of an ∞-category C and an endomorphism group is a group. So, is a group for . By the Eckmann-Hilton argument, is abelian for .

An analog of Whitehead's theorem holds: a map between Kan complexes is a homotopy equivalence if and only if for each choice of base points and each integer , is bijective.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Goerss, Paul G.; Jardin, John F. (2009). Simplicial Homotopy Theory. Birkhäuser Basel. ISBN 978-3-0346-0188-7. OCLC 837507571.
  2. ^ Joyal & Tierney 2008, § 2.4.
  3. ^ a b Joyal & Tierney 2008, § 3.2.
  4. ^ Joyal & Tierney 2008, § 4.2.
  5. ^ Cisinski 2023, (3.8.8.6)
  6. ^ Joyal & Tierney 2008, Theorem 4.4.2.


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