Free homotopy algebras (Q2570232)

Strongly homotopy algebras are a well established and extremely useful generalisation of differential graded algebras. They come in a variety of flavours, not only associative, or Lie, but in various strengths, designated by a positive integer \(m\), so that \(A(1)\) algebras are differential graded vector spaces, etc. Generalities on algebraic theories yield the existence on free \(A(m)\)- and \(L(m)\)-algebras on a graded vector space, and such free algebras were used by \textit{T. Lada} and the author [Commun. Algebra 23, 2147--2161 (1995; Zbl 0999.17019)] to describe an analogue of the universal enveloping algebra for \(L(m)\)-algebras. In this paper the author gives a clear and detailed exposition of the construction of these free homotopy algebras using planar trees. The combinatorics involved is very elegant. A strong homotopy analogue of the Poincaré-Birkhoff-Witt theorem is also discussed.