Homotopy transfer and formality (Q2115499)

This paper proves that -- under some hypotheses -- \(n\)-formality of a differential graded algebraic structure is equivalent to the existence of a chain-level automorphism that lifts the degree-twisting isomorphism on its homology relative to a unit of order greater than \(n\). An application is given, proving formality with \(p\)-adic coefficients of certain dg algebras coming from complements of hyperplane and toric arrangements and coformality of configuration spaces. Let \(R\) be a commutative ring and let \(P\) be an operad in the category of \(R\)-modules. If \((A, d)\) is a \(P\)-algebra in chain complexes in \(R\)-modules, then \(A\) is said to be \emph{formal} if it is linked to its homology \((H(A), 0)\) -- which can be endowed with a \(P\)-algebra structure in a straightforward way -- by a zig-zag of morphisms of \(P\)-algebras that all induce isomorphisms in homology. Let \[ P_\infty := \Omega C\to P \] be a resolution, where \(C\) is a conilpotent cooperad. Algebras over \(P_\infty\) are often called \emph{homotopy \(P\)-algebras}. A structure of \(P_\infty\)-algebra on a chain complex in \(R\)-modules \(V\) is equivalent to a map \(m:C(V)\to V\) satisfying certain conditions. The cooperad \(C\) has a canonical decomposition in components \(C_i\), and we denote by \(m_i\) the restriction of \(m\) to \(C_i(V)\). By the classical homotopy transfer theorem, if \((A, d)\) is a \(P\)-algebra as above which is such that the chain complex \((H(A), 0)\) can be written as a homotopy retract of \((A, d)\), then \(H(A)\) can be endowed with a \(P_\infty\)-algebra structure \(m^t\) which makes it quasi-isomorphic to \(A\) as a \(P_\infty\)-algebra. The \(P\)-algebra \(A\) is \emph{\(n\)-formal} if \(m^t_i = 0\) for \(2\leqslant i\leqslant n\). Note that this definition of \(n\)-formality slightly differs from what is usually found in the literature for commutative dg algebras. The main result of the paper is the following. \textsc{Main Theorem} Let \(R\) be a commutative ring, let \(P\) be an operad in the category of \(R\)-modules, and let \((A, d)\) be a \(P\)-algebra in the category of chain complexes in \(R\)-modules which is such that the chain complex \((H(A), 0)\) can be written as a homotopy retract of \((A, d)\). Further, let \(\alpha\) be a unit in \(R\) and let \(\widehat{\sigma}\) be an endomorphism of the \(P\)-algebra \(A\) that induces the degree twisting map by \(\alpha\) on \(H(A)\), i.e.\ the map given by multiplication by \(\alpha^i\) on \(H_i(A)\). \begin{itemize} \item[\(\diamond\)] If \(\alpha^k - 1\) is a unit of \(R\) for \(1\leqslant k\leqslant n\), then \(A\) is \(n\)-formal as a \(P\)-algebra. \item[\(\diamond\)] If \(\alpha^k - 1\) is a unit of \(R\) for all \(k\geqslant1\), then \(A\) is formal as a \(P\)-algebra. \end{itemize} After a detailed proof of this result, the rest of the article is dedicated to its applications, with the theory of étale cohomology producing examples of algebras with such automorphisms. The following are the three main examples. \begin{itemize} \item[\(\diamond\)] Let \(K\) be a finite extension of \(\mathbb{Q}_p\). The residue field of the ring of integers of \(K\) is isomorphic to \(\mathbb{F}_q\) for \(q\) some power of \(p\). Let \(\ell\neq p\) be a prime and let \(h\) be the order of \(q\) in \(\mathbb{F}_\ell^\times\). Let \(X\) be the complement of a hyperplane arrangement over \(\mathbb{C}\) which is defined over \(K\). Then the dg algebra \(C^*(X_{an};\mathbb{Z}_\ell)\) is \((h-1)\)-formal. \item[\(\diamond\)] With the same conditions as above, let \(X\) be the complement of a toric arrangement that is defined over \(K\). Then the dg algebra \(C^*(X;\mathbb{Z}_\ell)\) is \((h-1)\)-formal. \item[\(\diamond\)] Let \(d\geqslant3\), let \(X = \mathrm{Conf}_n(\mathbb{R}^d)\), and let \(p\) be a prime. Then the dg algebra \(C_*(\Omega X;\mathbb{Z}_p)\) is \((p-2)(d-2)\)-formal. This is a \emph{coformality} result for configuration spaces. \end{itemize}