DGAs with polynomial homology (Q2048619)

The paper under review studies differential graded algebras (DGAs) with polynomial homology \(\mathbb{F}_p[x]\) for \(|x|>0\), a problem raised by \textit{W. G. Dwyer} et al. [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 45, No. 6, 1235--1245 (2013; Zbl 1316.16010)]. The DGAs in this paper are of homology conventions, i.e., the differential lowers the degree by \(1\). The main result is Theorem 1.8, which claims that for every prime \(p\) there is a unique (up to quasi-isomorphism) DGA whose homology is \(\mathbb{F}_p[x_{2p-2}]\) for \(|x_{2p-2}|=2p-2\) and whose \(2p-2\) Postnikov section is non-formal. Furthermore for every \(m>1\) there is a unique (up to quasi-isomorphism) DGA whose homology is \(\mathbb{F}_p[x_{2p-2}]/(x_{2p-2}^m)\) for \(|x_{2p-2}|=2p-2\) and whose \(2p-2\) Postnikov section is non-formal. As a consequence, this result provides the first example of a non-formal DGA whose homology is of the form \(\mathbb{F}_p[x]\). The methods in this paper heavily rely on the topological equivalence of DGAs, a concept introduced by \textit{D. Dugger} and \textit{B. Shipley} [Adv. Math. 212, No. 1, 37--61 (2007; Zbl 1118.55008)].