Equivariant homotopy of posets and some applications to subgroup lattices (Q1344230)

Let \(P\) be a poset (partially ordered set). By means of the simplicial complex \(CP\) of all finite chains it is possible to associate with \(P\) a topological space \(|CP|\). Two topological spaces \(X\) and \(Y\) are said to have the same homotopy type or to be homotopy equivalent if there exist continuous maps \(f: X\to Y\) and \(h: Y\to X\) such that \(h\circ f\simeq 1_X\) and \(f\circ h\simeq 1_Y\). Thus, one can speak about homotopy types of posets. More general is the equivariant homotopy of posets: Let \(G\) be a group acting on posets \(P\) and \(Q\) as a group of poset automorphisms. Then \(G\) acts also on \(|CP|\) and \(|CQ|\). The posets \(P\) and \(Q\) are \(G\)-homotopy equivalent if the spaces \(|CP|\) and \(|CQ|\) are homotopy equivalent and for the maps \(f\) and \(h\) above holds \(f(x^g)= f(x)^g\) and \(h(x^g)= h(x)^g\) for \(g\in G\). In the papers [\textit{A. Björner} and \textit{J. Walker}, Eur. J. Comb. 4, 11-19 (1993; Zbl 0508.06005)] and [\textit{G. Kratzer} and \textit{J. Thévenaz}, Comment. Math. Helv. 60, 85-106 (1985; Zbl 0606.06006)] homotopy types of certain kinds of posets are found. Here the author do the same for the equivariant homotopy. Another problem considered in the paper is the following: Let \(|CP|/G\) be the space of \(G\)-orbits in \(|CP|\) with natural topology, and let \(P/G\) be the poset of \(G\)-orbits in \(P\) with ordering by containment of representatives. What are the relations between \(|CP|/G\) and \(|C(P/G)|\)? In general the spaces seem to be almost unrelated. Nevertheless, the author proves that these spaces are homotopy equivalent if \(P\) is the poset of proper subgroups of a finite solvable group \(G\) and notes that it fails for the Mathieu group \(G= M_{12}\). It is conjectured that the subgroup lattice of \(A_n\) is homotopy equivalent to a wedge of \(n!/2\) spheres \(S^{n- 4}\) for \(n> 6\).