Finite subset spaces of graphs and punctured surfaces (Q1411949)

The author studies the space \(\exp_k(X)\) of finite subsets of \(k\) or fewer points in the space \(X\). The spaces \(X\) of particular interest are finite connected graphs \(\Gamma\). He notes that \(\exp_k(X)\) is a homotopy type invariant and so calculates \(\exp_k(\Gamma)\) in terms of \(H_1(\Gamma)\). He studies the map from \(\exp_k(\Gamma)\) to \(\exp_k(\Gamma ')\) induced by a map from \(\Gamma\) to \(\Gamma '\). Application is made to the action of the \(n\)-strand braid group on \(H_*(\exp_k(D^n))\), where \(D^n\) is an \(n\)-punctured \(2\)-disc.