\(\Delta\)-groupoids in knot theory (Q649022)

The author defines the notion of a \(\Delta\)-groupoid which is as follows: let \(G\) be a groupoid and \(H\subset G\) be a subset, a pair \((x,y)\in H^2\) is said to be \(H\)-composable if it is composable in \(G\) and \(xy\in H\). A \(\Delta\)-groupoid is a groupoid \(G\), a generating subset \(H\subset G\), and an involution \(j:H\to H\), such that {\parindent 8mm\begin{itemize}\item[(i)] \(i(H)=H\), where \(i(x)=x^{-1}\); \item[(ii)] the involutions \(i\) and \(j\) generate an action of the symmetric group \(S_3\) on \(H\); \item[(iii)] if \((x,y)\in H^2\) is a composable pair, then \((k(x),j(x))\) is also a composable pair, where \(k=iji\); \item[(iv)] if \((x,y)\in H^2\) is \(H\)-composable then \((k(x),j(x))\) is also \(H\) composable, and the following identity holds: \(k(xy)ik(y)=k(k(x)j(y))\). \end{itemize}} The author provides examples of different sources: ring theory, representation theory and combinatorics of ideal triangulations of 3-manifolds. For example, the author shows how one can construct a \(\Delta\)-groupoid out of a pair \((G,H)\) where \(G\) is a group and \(H\subset G\) is a malnormal subgroup. It is also shown how one can get a couple of \(\Delta\)-grupoids functorially out of a ring and shows that these functors admit left adjoints. The author also provides relationships of \(\Delta\)-groupoids with representation theory, three manifold theory and defines a type of homology of a \(\Delta\)-groupoid.