Cochain algebras of mapping spaces and finite group actions (Q1873304)

The motivation of this work is based on the following observations. The methods of study of the cohomology of mapping spaces were given by \textit{D. W. Anderson} [Lecture Notes Math. 249, 1--12 (1971; Zbl 0229.55005), Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 78, 784--786 (1972; Zbl 0255.55012)]. This subject is related to various topics (cohomology of vector fields on a manifold or cohomology of configuration spaces). \textit{R. Bott} and \textit{G. Segal} [Topology 16, 285--298 (1977; Zbl 0387.57012)] have developed tools for computing the cohomology of mapping spaces, in particular they have constructed a cochain complex computing the cohomology of a mapping space when its source is provided with an open contractible covering. By using the process given by Bott and Segal, a cochain complex can be associated to any simplicial set and any topological space. One would then expect the results of Bott-Segal to hold more generally for the corresponding mapping space (from the topological realization of the simplicial set to the topological space). In order to obtain new computational tools, the authors use Kan adjunction techniques to rebuild the theory of cosimplicial models of mapping spaces. Next they construct, for two spaces X, Y (where X is homotopy equivalent to the geometric realization of a simplicial set, and its dimension is less or equal to the connectivity of Y) a cochain algebra which is quasi isomorphic to the singular cochain algebra of \(Y^X\). Finally, they apply these results to the study of finite group actions on mapping spaces that are induced by an action on the source.