Gorenstein spaces (Q1112383)

A (not necessarily commutative) differential graded k-algebra R is Gorenstein if \(Ext_ R(k,R)\) is concentrated in a single degree and has k-dimension one. This definition generalizes the usual definition of a Gorenstein ring. In the context of spaces the DGA's to which this definition is most often applied are \(C^*(X;k)\), \(C_*(\Omega X;k)\) and \(H^*(X;k)\). In particular, a space X is Gorenstein over k if \(C^*(X;k)\) is. It is shown that Gorenstein spaces are generalizations of Poincaré duality spaces. Indeed, if X has finite category, then it is Gorenstein over \({\mathbb{Z}}/p\) if and only if \(H^*(X;{\mathbb{Z}}/p)\) is finite dimensional and satisfies Poincaré duality. Furthermore, if X is finite, then an equivalent statement is that the Spivak normal fibration associated to X p-localizes to a sphere. This is exactly the p-local version of Spivak's theorem about Poincaré duality spaces (see \textit{M. Spivak} [Topology 6, 77-101 (1967; Zbl 0185.509)]). Similarly, a \({\mathbb{Q}}\)-Gorenstein space version is given of the fact that, for an appropriate fibration, the total space satisfies Poincaré duality if and only if the base and fibre do (see \textit{D. Gottlieb} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 76, 148-150 (1979; Zbl 0423.57009)]). The concept of Gorenstein space thus extends many familiar notions about Poincaré duality to a much wider class of spaces. In particular, it is shown that, if \(\pi_*(X)\otimes {\mathbb{Q}}\) is finite dimensional, then X is Gorenstein over \({\mathbb{Q}}\). Hence, rational Postnikov pieces come within the purview of the Gorenstein framework.