On the loop space of a 2-category

DOI10.1016/J.JPAA.2011.05.001MaRDI QIDQ659891zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Matias L. del Hoyo

Publication date 24 January 2012

Published in Journal of Pure and Applied Algebra (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1005.1300

zbMATH Keywords

2-categoryclassifying spacelax functorloop space

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Loop spaces (55P35) Simplicial sets and complexes in algebraic topology (55U10)

Abstract: Every small category $C$ has a classifying space $BC$ associated in a natural way. This construction can be extended to other contexts and set up a fruitful interaction between categorical structures and homotopy types. In this paper we study the classifying space $B_{2}C$ of a 2-category $C$ and prove that, under certain conditions, the loop space $Omeg{a}_c{B}_{2}C$ can be recovered up to homotopy from the endomorphisms of a given object. We also present several subsidiary results that we develop to prove our main theorem.

Review text

Given any category \(C\), we may define a loop in \(C\) at an object \(c\) to be an endomorphism of \(c\). The set \(C(c,c)\) of all such loops has a monoid structure with product given by composition. If \(C\) is not just a category but a 2-category, then \(C(c,c)\) is not just a set but a category, with morphisms given by 2-cells in \(C\); and now composition of loops provides this category with a monoidal structure. A category \(C\) has a classifying space \(BC\), given by the geometric realization of its nerve, and this definition may also be extended to define the classifying space \(B_2C\) of a 2-category \(C\). This paper studies the extent to which the classifying space construction is compatible with taking loops. More precisely, for a 2-category \(C\), a sufficient but not necessary condition is given under which the loop space \(\Omega B_2C\) of the classifying space \(B_2C\) of \(C\) is weakly equivalent to the classifying space \(BC(c,c)\) of the loop category \(C(c,c)\). The definition of \(B_2C\), as well as the proof of the main result, use tools from 2-category theory such as lax functors.

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Cites work

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Cited in

(9)

• On the geometry of 2-categories and their classifying spaces
• Discrete Morse theory and classifying spaces
• A Quillen's Theorem A for strict -categories. I: The simplicial proof
• Bicategorical homotopy fiber sequences
• Towards a Thomason model structure on the category of strict \(n\)-categories
• Homotopy colimits of 2-functors
• A Quillen's theorem A for strict -categories. II: The -categorical proof
• Cone complexes and group actions
• Fundamental category and face category of stellar complexes

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