Higher homotopy invariants for spaces and maps (Q2667200)

Higher homotopy and cohomology operations, such as Massey products and Toda brackets, are among the earliest known examples of homotopy invariants which are not primary. They have played an important computational role in algebraic topology (see e.g., \textit{J. F. Adams} [Ann. Math. (2) 72, 20--104 (1960; Zbl 0096.17404)] and \textit{H. Toda} [Composition methods in homotopy groups of spheres. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press (1962; Zbl 0101.40703)]). However, no truly satisfactory theory of general higher homotopy operations has been proposed so far, despite several attempts. The authors follow the point of view taken in by \textit{D. Blanc} et al. [J. \(K\)-Theory 5, No. 1, 167--200 (2010; Zbl 1207.55012)] and \textit{D. Blanc} and \textit{M. Markl} [Math. Z. 245, No. 1, 1--29 (2003; Zbl 1038.55011)] and describe two sequences of higher-order operations constituting complete invariants for the homotopy type of a topological space or map, respectively. \par For a pointed topological space \(\mathbf{X}\), an inductive construction of a simplicial resolution of \(\mathbf{X}\) by wedges of spheres is used to construct a ``higher homotopy structure'' for \(\mathbf{X}\) (in terms of chain complexes of spaces). This structure is then applied to define a collection of higher homotopy invariants which suffice to recover \(\mathbf{X}\) up to weak equivalence. It can also be used to distinguish between different maps \(f: \mathbf{X}\to \mathbf{Y}\) which induce the same morphism \(f_\ast : \pi_\ast(\mathbf{X})\to \pi_\ast(\mathbf{Y})\).