Minimal resolutions and other minimal models (Q1325598)

The paper presents a categorical approach to the theory of minimal models. Let \(\mathcal C\) be a category with a distinguished class of morphisms, \(S\). Then an object \(m\) of \(\mathcal C\) is called (left) minimal if for all \(s : x \to m\) in \(S\) there exists a section \(s' : m \to x\). A (left) minimal model of an object \(a\) of \(\mathcal C\) is a morphism in \(S\), \(s : m \to a\), with \(m\) a (left) minimal object. In particular, the definition applies to the class of weak equivalences in a model category, \(\mathcal C\), in the sense of \textit{D. G. Quillen} [Homotopical algebra, Lect. Notes Math. 43 (1967; Zbl 0168.209)]. The main result is that, under suitable assumptions, the homotopy category, \(\text{Ho}({\mathcal C})\), of a model category \(\mathcal C\), obtained by formally inverting the weak equivalences, is equivalent to the category of its minimal objects and homotopy classes of maps. The theory includes examples such as minimal resolutions of Eilenberg-Nakayama-Tate [\textit{S. Eilenberg}, Homological dimension and syzygies, Ann. Math., II. Ser. 64, 328-336 (1956; Zbl 0073.260); \textit{J. Tate}, Homology of Noetherian rings and local rings, Ill. J. Math. 1, 14-27 (1957; Zbl 0079.055)], minimal fiber spaces of \textit{D. M. Kan} [Minimal free CSS-groups, Ill. J. Math. 2, 537-547 (1958; Zbl 0094.171)] and \(\Lambda\)-minimal \(\Lambda\)-extensions of \textit{S. Halperin} [Lectures on minimal models, Mém. Soc. Math. Fr., Nouv. Sér. 9-10 (1983; Zbl 0536.55003)].