Postnikov towers with fibers generalized Eilenberg-Mac Lane spaces (Q2444582)

In the present paper, some basic properties of a generalized Postnikov tower (GPT) are established. Different authors give somewhat various definitions of GPTs, but the common feature is that the Eilenberg-MacLane spaces (in the classical Postnikov tower) are replaced by generalized Eilenberg-MacLane spaces (that is, products \(\prod_{i}K(\pi_i,n_i)\)). In this article, the authors are concerned with the existence, localization and length of a GPT. They show that a GPT of a (path connected, finite-type) space \(X\) exists if and only if \(X\) is nilpotent. Then, they prove that this GPT behaves well with respect to \(p\)-localization: if all spaces and maps in the GPT of a space \(X\) are \(p\)-localized, one obtains the, so called, \(p\)-local GPT of \(X_{(p)}\). The Postnikov length of a (\(p\)-local) space is defined as the smallest \(n\) such that the space admits a (\(p\)-local) GPT of length \(n\). On that basis, the distribution of torsion in the GPT of a finite complex is considered. Finally, the Postnikov length of a rational space is expressed as a certain (purely algebraic) Postnikov length of a differential graded algebra.