On simplicial loops and \(H\)-spaces (Q5935982)

Let \(X\) be a connected \(H\)-space and \(A\) a CW-complex. Then, according to I. M. James, the set \([A,X]\) of based homotopy classes has the structure of an algebraic loop, induced by the \(H\)-space structure of \(X\). The author shows that this is a consequence of a deeper result: Any minimal Kan subset \(M_\bullet\) of the singular set \(S_\bullet(X)\) of \(X\) carries the structure of a simplicial algebraic loop, which is weakly equivalent to the \(H\)-space structure after realization. As an application he gives a very short proof of the following result of Kock, Kristensen, and Madsen: For any cohomology theory \(h^*\) there exist loop valued cocycle and coboundary functors \(Z^*\) and \(B^*\), such that \(B^*(X)\) is normal in \(Z^*(X)\) and \(h^*(X) \cong Z^*(X)/B^* (X)\). Finally, Postnikov decompositions of connected minimal simplicial loops are studied. The proofs are based on the observation that simplicial algebraic loops share many of the good properties known for simplicial groups. E.g., they are Kan complexes.