Homology of configuration spaces of hard squares in a rectangle

DOI10.2140/AGT.2023.23.2593arXiv2010.14480MaRDI QIDQ6148482FDOQ6148482

Authors: Hannah Alpert, Ulrich Bauer, Matthew Kahle, Robert MacPherson, Kelly Spendlove 

Publication date: 11 January 2024

Published in: Algebraic \& Geometric Topology (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We study ordered configuration spaces $C(n;p,q)$ of $n$ hard squares in a $pimesq$ rectangle, a generalization of the well-known "15 Puzzle". Our main interest is in the topology of these spaces. Our first result is to describe a cubical cell complex and prove that is homotopy equivalent to the configuration space. We then focus on determining for which $n$, $j$, $p$, and $q$ the homology group $H_j[C(n;p,q)]$ is nontrivial. We prove three homology-vanishing theorems, based on discrete Morse theory on the cell complex. Then we describe several explicit families of nontrivial cycles, and a method for interpolating between parameters to fill in most of the picture for "large-scale" nontrivial homology.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2010.14480

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zbMATH Keywords

configuration spaceshomologystatistical mechanics

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Phase transitions (general) in equilibrium statistical mechanics (82B26) Discriminantal varieties and configuration spaces in algebraic topology (55R80) Discrete Morse theory and related ideas in manifold topology (57Q70)

Cites Work

• Morse theory for cell complexes
• Distributed computation of persistent homology
• Configuration spaces of disks in an infinite strip
• Min-type Morse theory for configuration spaces of hard spheres
• Configuration spaces of squares in a rectangle
• A computational framework for connection matrix theory
• Restricting cohomology classes to disk and segment configuration spaces

Cited In (2)

• The topological complexity of the ordered configuration space of disks in a strip
• Configuration spaces of disks in a strip, twisted algebras, persistence, and other stories

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