Embedding 2-complexes in \({\mathbb R}\) 4 (Q1092467)

The main results of the paper are as follows: Suppose K is a finite 2- complex with trivial second cohomology. If L is a subcomplex of K then every \(\Pi _ 1\)-negligible tame embedding of L in \({\mathbb{R}}^ 4\) can be extended to a \(\Pi _ 1\)-negligible tame embedding of K. Suppose a complex K is obtained from a finite acyclic 2-complex L by attaching one additional 2-cell along its boundary. Suppose that inclusion \~K\(\subset K\) of a subcomplex \~K of K induces an isomorphism on the second homology. If a neighborhood of \~K can be embedded in some orientable K-manifold then K can be tamely embedded in \({\mathbb{R}}^ 4.\) From the first theorem it follows that every acyclic finite 2-complex can be embedded in \({\mathbb{R}}^ 4\) by a \(\Pi _ 1\)-negligible embedding. The author also gives an example of a \(\Pi _ 1\)-negligible embedding of an acyclic 2-complex which cannot be extended over an additional 2-cell.