Cross-effects and the classification of Taylor towers (Q309027)

Let \(F: {\mathcal{C}}\to {\mathcal{D}}\) be a homotopy functor, where each \({\mathcal{C}}\) and \({\mathcal{D}}\) is either the category of based topological spaces, or the category of spectra. Goodwillie constructed a tower of functors and natural transformations \[ F\to\cdots\to P_nF\to P_{n-1}F\to\cdots\to P_0F \] approximating \(F\), and a sequence \(\partial_\ast F=\{ \partial_nF\}\) of \(\Sigma_n\)-spectra \(\partial_nF\) called the dervatives or Taylor coefficients of \(F\). Describing the structure on the sequence \(\partial_\ast F\) and reconstructing the functor \(F\), or at least its Taylor tower, from this structure is a key problem in the homotopy calculus. In an earlier paper [Adv. Math. 272, 471--552 (2015; Zbl 1312.55017)] the authors gave a general description of this structure. In this paper they give an alternative description of the structure on \(\partial_\ast F\) in the case where \(F\) takes values in the category of spectra. The authors show that for spectra-valued \(F\) the derivatives are modules over a certain pro-operad. If \(F\) is a functor from based spaces to spectra, then the pro-operad is a resolution of the topological Lie operad. For functors from spectra to spectra, the pro-operad is a resolution of the trivial operad. They show that in both cases the Taylor tower of \(F\) can be reconstructed from this structure on the derivatives. The authors also discuss some open problems and possible directions for future research.