Associative $n$-categories

Abstract

We define novel fully combinatorial models of higher categories. Our definitions are based on a connection of higher categories to "directed spaces". Directed spaces are locally modelled on manifold diagrams, which are stratifications of the n-cube such that strata are transversal to the flag foliation of the n-cube. The first part of this thesis develops a combinatorial model for manifold diagrams called singular n-cubes. In the second part we apply this model to build our notions of higher categories. Singular n-cubes are "directed triangulations" of space together with a decomposition into a collection of subspaces or strata. Singular n-cubes can be naturally organised into two categories. The first, whose morphisms are bundles themselves, is used for the inductive definition of singular (n+1)-cubes. The second, whose morphisms are "open" base changes, admits an (epi,mono) factorisation system. Monomorphisms will be called embeddings of cubes. Epimorphisms will be called collapses and describe how triangulations can be coarsened. Each cube has a unique coarsest triangulation called its normal form. The existence of normal forms makes the equality relation of (combinatorially represented) manifold diagrams decidable. As the main application of the resulting combinatorial framework for manifold diagrams, we give algebraic definitions of various notions of higher categories. Namely, we define associative n-categories, presented associative n-categories and presented associative n-groupoids. All three notions will have strict units and associators; the only weak coherences are homotopies, but we develop a mechanism for recovering the usual coherence data of weak n-categories, such as associators and pentagonators and their higher analogues. This will motivate the conjecture that the theory of associative higher categories is equivalent to its fully weak counterpart.