Foundations of supermanifold theory: The axiomatic approach (Q688082)

In 1986 \textit{M. Rothstein} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 297, 159-180 (1986; Zbl 0636.58009)] introduced a system of 4 axioms which should be satisfied by every reasonable category of supermanifolds. However, in a certain sense, the category determined by his axiomatics, the so-called \(R\)-supermanifolds, is too large. The present paper analyzes Rothstein's axiomatics, discusses the interdependence among his axioms and singles out an additional axiom which is necessary for the characterization of those \(R\)-supermanifolds which are free from certain limitations described by the authors. The resulting axiomatic system defines so- called \(R^ \infty\)-supermanifolds (which are the same as graded manifolds when the ground algebra is \(\mathbb{R}\) or \(\mathbb{C})\) -- they provide the most natural generalization of differentiable or complex manifolds. The paper also contains some other results on \(R\)- and \(R^ \infty\)- supermanifolds.