A colourful approach to string topology

Tarje Bargheer

Abstract

For M a compact, orientable manifold and N „ Rn􀀀1 a submanifold, we construct the cleavage operad that acts on MN through correspondences,
analogous to the Cacti Operad acting on MS1 , formulating String Topology.
For the unit sphere, N : Sn „ Rn􀀀1 we compute the cleavage operad
to be a coloured En􀀀1-operad. We twist this structure by the orthogonal
group SOpn 􀀀 1q to obtain an operad whose actions prescribe non-unital
pn 􀀀 1q-Batalin-Vilkovisky algebras. We show that the action through correspondences transfers to a spectral action on MSn ^ SdimpMq. This action is obtained through an extension of the Cleavage Operad. Homotopically the
extension is a simplication, and it adjoins a unit to the action on MSn.
We nally give advantages of our geometric stance on generalizing String
Topology even when N S1:We improve on equivariance of group actions on
MSn, and provide apparent links between Knot Theory and String Topology.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherFaculty of Science, University of Copenhagen
Number of pages103
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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