Small models for chain algebras (Q756796)

Let \(R\) be a commutative ring with unit and let \((A,d)\) be an augmented differential graded algebra over \(R\). The purpose of this paper is to construct a free model for \(A\), i.e. a differential graded algebra of the form \((T(V),d)\), where \(T(V)\) is the tensor algebra over the free graded \(R\)-module \(V\). Let \(H(JBA)\) be the homology of the coaugmentation coideal of the bar construction on \(A\), let \(FH(JBA)\) be a free resolution (in the category of graded \(R\)-modules) and let \(s^{-1}FH(JBA)\) be its desuspension. The authors generalize the classical homological perturbation theory to the context of differential graded algebras (and coalgebras) and prove that there is a differential \(D\) and a morphism \((T(s^{-1}FH(JBA)),D)\to (A,d)\) inducing an isomorphism in homology. In particular, if \(R\) is a local ring and a principal ideal domain, and if \(FH(JBA)\) is a minimal resolution, then the above construction yields a minimal model of \(A\), which is determined up to isomorphism. If \(X\) is a simply connected space and \(A=C_*(\Omega X)\) denotes the singular chain complex of the loop space of \(X\) (coefficients in \(R\)), then \(H(JBA)\approx \tilde H(X)\), the reduced homology of \(X\). Thus a model of the form \(T(s^{-1}F\tilde H(X))\to C_*(\Omega X)\) is obtained. Topological consequences of this are announced to be studied in another paper.