Quasi-commutative cochains in algebraic topology (Q1011930)

This paper presents an algebraization of homotopy types of simplicial sets, in the spirit of Sullivan's theory for rational homotopy type, but where the difference calculus replaces the differential calculus. Let \(k\) be a commutative ring. First, the author constructs an algebraic version \({\mathcal D}^*(x)\) of the interval \([0,1]\), as follows: \({\mathcal D}^0(x)\) is the algebra of functions \(f:{\mathbb Z}\to k\), constant when \(x\to\infty\) or \(x\to-\infty\), and \({\mathcal D}^1(x)\) is the ideal of \({\mathcal D}^0(x)\) generated by the Dirac functions. The differential is given by \(d(f(x))=f(x+1)-f(x)\). A complex \({\mathcal D}^*(\Delta_r)\) is then defined as a quotient of \({\mathcal D}^*(x_0)\otimes\cdots\otimes {\mathcal D}^*(x_r)\). It appears to be a free \(k\)-module and its cohomology is reduced to \(k\) in degree zero, as expected. Moreover, the association \(r\mapsto {\mathcal D}^*(\Delta_r)\) is a simplicial \(k\)-module with trivial homotopy groups. At this point, all the ingredients are present for an application of the process described by \textit{H. Cartan} [Invent. Math. 35, 261--271 (1976; Zbl 0334.55005)], see also [\textit{A. K. Bousfield} and \textit{V. K. A. M. Gugenheim}, Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 179, 94 p. (1976; Zbl 0338.55008)]. If \(X=X_{\bullet}\) is a (finite) simplicial set, the algebra of differential forms on \(X_{\bullet}\) is defined by the set of simplicial morphisms, \({\mathcal D}^*(X)=\text{Mor}(X_{\bullet},{\mathcal D}^*(X_{\bullet}))\). (A not finite version exists also.) This complex has a cohomology naturally isomorphic to the algebra \(H^*(X{};k)\). The interest of this construction lies in the fact that \({\mathcal D}^*(X{})\) has a structure of quasi-commutative algebra, a notion based on the existence of a submodule \({\mathcal D}^*(X)\overline{\otimes}{\mathcal D}^*(Y)\) of \({\mathcal D}^*(X)\otimes {\mathcal D}^*(Y)\), such that the canonical inclusion is a quasi-isomorphism and satisfies a commutativity axiom. This construction is a particular case of a ``partial algebra'', therefore, by a theorem of \textit{M. A. Mandell} [Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 103, 213--246 (2006; Zbl 1105.55003)], the homotopy type of \(X\) can be recovered from \({\mathcal D}^*(X)\). Steenrod operations can be obtained from this construction. The author also shows how the Bar construction on \({\mathcal D}^*(X)\) can be iterated. Finally, the question of the existence of a minimal model of quasi-commutative differential graded algebras is raised.