Mapping spaces in quasi-categories (Q618741)

This article is a sequel to [Algebr. Geom. Topol. 11, No. 1, 225--261 (2011; Zbl 1213.55015)] and is concerned with the Quillen equivalence between the category of simplicial sets \(s\mathcal S et_J\) equipped with the Joyal model structure, where fibrant objects are quasi-categories, and the category of simplicial categories equipped with Bergner's model structure. This theorem is due to Joyal and Lurie. In Lurie's approach [\textit{J. Lurie}, Higher topos theory. Annals of Mathematics Studies 170. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. (2009; Zbl 1175.18001)], the existence of the Joyal model structure is a consequence of his analysis of mapping spaces, whereas here, the authors start with it. They give thus a quick introduction to quasi-categories and establish the existence of the Joyal model structure on simplicial sets in the appendices. The next point to be taken care of is the construction of mapping spaces. Given a quasi-category \(K\) and two vertices \(a\) and \(b\), the simplicial sets \(\Delta^1\) and \(K\) are both objects of the model category \(\partial \Delta^1 \downarrow s\mathcal S et_J\). As mapping spaces can be constructed in model categories, even if they are not simplicial, in several ways, one can consider the ``homotopy function complex'' \(\text{hMap}(\Delta^1, K)\). Lurie's constructions \(\text{Hom}^R_K(a, b)\) and \(\text{Hom}^L_K(a, b)\) fit into this framework, but \(\mathfrak C(K)(a, b)\) does not, where \(\mathfrak C: s\mathcal S et_J \rightarrow s \mathcal C at\) is the rigidification functor taking \(K\) to a simplicial category. However, the former work of the authors allows them to compare \(\mathfrak C(K)(a, b)\) with the Dwyer-Kan model of the mapping space. This result is a key step in establishing that a map of simplicial sets \(f: X \rightarrow Y\) is a Dwyer-Kan equivalence if and only if the rigidification \(\mathfrak C(f)\) is a weak equivalence of simplicial categories, which in turn agrees with \(f\) being a Joyal equivalence. The proof of the Quillen equivalence then follows.