A\({}_{\infty}\)-algebras and the cyclic bar complex (Q914188)

This paper gives first a background on differential coalgebras and Stasheff's \(A_{\infty}\)-algebras. Then the authors construct the cyclic bar complex of an \(A_{\infty}\)-algebra (that gives, in particular, its cyclic homology). The main construction concerns the natural \(A_{\infty}\)-structure on the cyclic bar complex of a commutative differential graded algebra (then the cyclic homology of a d.g.a. has a natural associative product). Finally they discuss the Chen normalization of the cyclic bar complex of an \(A_{\infty}\)-algebra. Since this paper arose from use of Chen's theory of iterated integrals as a tool in a preceding paper of the authors [Differential forms on the loop space and the cyclic bar complex, Topology (to appear)], one may find there applications of the present work.