Infinite homotopy theory (Q5941855)

This book develops the foundations for the algebraic topology of non-compact spaces. The main emphasis is on homotopy theory, homotopy and homological groups, and simple homotopy theory of infinite CW complexes with the topology at infinity of such spaces controlled by an ideal space at infinity. More specifically, the authors introduce the category of ended spaces. Objects are triples of spaces \((\widehat X, X, \mathcal E (X))\) in which \(\widehat X\) is compact, \(X\) is an open subspace of \(\widehat X\) and \(\mathcal E (X) = \widehat X\smallsetminus X\) is called the space of ends of \(X\). It is \(\mathcal E(X)\) that plays the role of the ideal space at infinity for \(X\). A morphism is a continuous map of such triples. Examples are compactifications of \(X\), the one-point compactification and Freudenthal endpoint compactifications being especially relevant. From another point of view, \(\widehat X\) can be thought of as a stratified space with two strata, \(X\) and \(\mathcal E (X)\) [see, for example, \textit{S. Weinberger}, The topological classification of stratified spaces (1994; Zbl 0826.57001)]. Foundations of homotopy theory are usually developed using Quillen's model categories, but this framework does not apply to the category of ended spaces. However, the authors show that the category of ended spaces is an \(I\)-category in the sense of the first author [Algebraic homotopy, Camb. Stud. Adv. Math. 15 (1989; Zbl 0688.55001)]. Versions of many results in classical homotopy theory are thus obtained. For example, the book includes Whitehead, Hurewicz and Blakers-Massey type theorems in the category of ended spaces. For CW complexes with ends, the authors develop Wall's finiteness obstruction and Whitehead's simple homotopy theory. While some of the results mentioned above had already been worked out in the category of locally finite CW complexes and proper maps, the extension to the ended category is novel. This foundational work should prove of interest to researchers working in controlled topology, stratified spaces, proper homotopy theory, proper simple homotopy theory and wherever the understanding of the behavior of non-compact spaces at infinity is important.