Wheeled PROPs, graph complexes and the master equation (Q1004461)

Defining a triple over the category of \(\Sigma\)-bimodules using directed graphs with directed cycles, the theory of PROPs (generalizing operads) is extended to the one of wheeled PROPs in order to treat traces and hence describe solutions to the master equations which involves divergence operators. A \(dg\) free wheeled PROP is constructed whose representations are in 1-to-1 correspondence with formal germs of SP-manifolds (key geometric objects in the theory of Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization). Minimal wheeled resolutions of classical operads are given. Results lead to a computation of the cohomology of a directed version of Kontsevitch's complex of ribbon-graphs.