General self-similarity: an overview
Informal seminar notes explaining the ideas in math.DS/0411344 and math.DS/0411345.
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arXiv subjects
Tom Leinster
Publications and source records attributed to Tom Leinster.
A general theory of self-similarity I
Consider a self-similar space X. A typical situation is that X looks like several copies of itself glued to several copies of another space Y, and Y looks like several copies of itself glued to several copies of X, or the same kind of thing with more than two spaces. Thus, the self-similarity of X is described by a system of simultaneous equations. Here I formalize this idea and the notion of a `universal solution' of such a system. I determine exactly when a system has a universal solution and, when one does exist, construct it. A sequel (math.DS/0411345) contains further results and examples, and an introductory article (math.DS/0411343) gives an overview.
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A general theory of self-similarity II: recognition
This paper concerns the self-similarity of topological spaces, in the sense defined in math.DS/0411344. I show how to recognize self-similar spaces, or more precisely, universal solutions of self-similarity systems. Examples include the standard simplices (self-similar by barycentric subdivision) and solutions of iterated function systems. Perhaps surprisingly, every compact metrizable space is self-similar in at least one way. From this follow the classical results on the role of the Cantor set among compact metrizable spaces.
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An Objective Representation of the Gaussian Integers
A rig is a riNg without Negatives. We analyse the free rig on a generator x subject to the equivalence x = 1 + x + x^2, showing that in it the non-constant polynomials form a ring. This ring can be identified with the Gaussian integers, which thus acquire objective meaning.
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Are operads algebraic theories?
I exhibit a pair of non-symmetric operads that, although not themselves isomorphic, induce isomorphic monads. The existence of such a pair implies that if `algebraic theory' is understood as meaning `monad', operads cannot be regarded as algebraic theories of a special kind.
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Higher Operads, Higher Categories
Higher-dimensional category theory is the study of n-categories, operads, braided monoidal categories, and other such exotic structures. It draws its inspiration from areas as diverse as topology, quantum algebra, mathematical physics, logic, and theoretical computer science. This is the first book on the subject and lays its foundations. Many examples are given throughout. There is also an introductory chapter motivating the subject for topologists.
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Objects of Categories as Complex Numbers
In many everyday categories (sets, spaces, modules, ...) objects can be both added and multiplied. The arithmetic of such objects is a challenge because there is usually no subtraction. We prove a family of cases of the following principle: if an arithmetic statement about the objects can be proved by pretending that they are complex numbers, then there also exists an honest proof.
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Generalized enrichment of categories
We define the phrase `category enriched in an fc-multicategory' and explore some examples. An fc-multicategory is a very general kind of 2-dimensional structure, special cases of which are double categories, bicategories, monoidal categories and ordinary multicategories. Enrichment in an fc-multicategory extends the (more or less well-known) theories of enrichment in a monoidal category, in a bicategory, and in a multicategory. Moreover, fc-multicategories provide a natural setting for the bimodules construction, traditionally performed on suitably cocomplete bicategories. Although this paper is elementary and self-contained, we also explain why, from one point of view, fc-multicategories are the natural structures in which to enrich categories.
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Structures in higher-dimensional category theory
This paper, written in 1998, aims to clarify various higher categorical structures, mostly through the theory of generalized operads and multicategories. Chapters I and II, which cover this theory and its application to give a definition of weak n-category, are largely superseded by my thesis (math.CT/0011106), but Chapters III and IV have not appeared elsewhere. The main result of Chapter III is that small Gray-categories can be characterized as the sub-tricategories of the tricategory of 2-categories, homomorphisms, strong transformations and modifications; there is also a conjecture on coherence in higher dimensions. Chapter IV defines opetopes and a category of n-pasting diagrams for each n, which in the case n=2 is a definition of the category of trees.
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A Survey of Definitions of n-Category
Many people have proposed definitions of `weak n-category'. Ten of them are presented here. Each definition is given in two pages, with a further two pages on what happens when n = 0, 1, or 2. The definitions can be read independently. Chatty bibliography follows.
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Topology and Higher-Dimensional Category Theory: the Rough Idea
Higher-dimensional category theory is the study of n-categories, operads, braided monoidal categories, and other such exotic structures. Although it can be treated purely as an algebraic subject, it is inherently topological in nature: the higher-dimensional diagrams one draws to represent these structures can be taken quite literally as pieces of topology. Examples of this are the braids in a braided monoidal category, and the pentagon which appears in the definitions of both monoidal category and A_infinity space. I will try to give a Friday-afternoonish description of some of the dreams people have for higher-dimensional category theory and its interactions with topology. Grothendieck, for instance, suggested that tame topology should be the study of n-groupoids; others have hoped that an n-category of cobordisms between cobordisms between ... will provide a clean setting for TQFT; and there is convincing evidence that the whole world of n-categories is a mirror of the world of homotopy groups of spheres.
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Perfect numbers and groups
A number is perfect if it is the sum of its proper divisors; here we call a finite group `perfect' if its order is the sum of the orders of its proper normal subgroups. (This conflicts with standard terminology but confusion should not arise.) The notion of perfect group generalizes that of perfect number, since a cyclic group is perfect exactly when its order is perfect. We show that, in fact, the only abelian perfect groups are the cyclic ones, and exhibit some non-abelian perfect groups of even order.
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Operads in Higher-Dimensional Category Theory
The purpose of this dissertation is to set up a theory of generalized operads and multicategories, and to use it as a language in which to propose a definition of weak n-category. Included is a full explanation of why the proposed definition of n-category is a reasonable one, and of what happens when n=2. Generalized operads and multicategories play other parts in higher-dimensional algebra too, some of which are outlined here: for instance, they can be used to simplify the opetopic approach to n-categories expounded by Baez, Dolan and others, and are a natural language in which to discuss enrichment of categorical structures.
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Homotopy Algebras for Operads
We present a definition of homotopy algebra for an operad, and explore its consequences. The paper should be accessible to topologists, category theorists, and anyone acquainted with operads. After a review of operads and monoidal categories, the definition of homotopy algebra is given. Specifically, suppose that M is a monoidal category in which it makes sense to talk about algebras for some operad P. Then our definition says what a homotopy P-algebra in M is, provided only that some of the morphisms in M have been marked out as `homotopy equivalences'. The bulk of the paper consists of examples of homotopy algebras. We show that any loop space is a homotopy monoid, and, in fact, that any n-fold loop space is an n-fold homotopy monoid in an appropriate sense. We try to compare weakened algebraic structures such as A_infinity-spaces, A_infinity-algebras and non-strict monoidal categories to our homotopy algebras, with varying degrees of success. We also prove results on `change of base', e.g. that the classifying space of a homotopy monoidal category is a homotopy topological monoid. Finally, we reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of our definition, and on how the definition really ought to be replaced by a more subtle infinity-categorical version.
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Up-to-Homotopy Monoids
Informally, a homotopy monoid is a monoid-like structure in which properties such as associativity only hold `up to homotopy' in some consistent way. This short paper comprises a rigorous definition of homotopy monoid and a brief analysis of some examples. It is a much-abbreviated version of the paper `Homotopy Algebras for Operads' (math.QA/0002180), and does not assume any knowledge of operads.
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fc-multicategories
fc-multicategories are a very general kind of two-dimensional structure, encompassing bicategories, monoidal categories, double categories and ordinary multicategories. We define them and explain how they provide a natural setting for two familiar categorical ideas. The first is the bimodules construction, traditionally carried out on suitably cocomplete bicategories but perhaps more naturally carried out on fc-multicategories. The second is enrichment: there is a theory of categories enriched in an fc-multicategory, extending the usual theory of enrichment in a monoidal category. We finish by indicating how this work is just the simplest case of a much larger phenomenon.
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Generalized Enrichment for Categories and Multicategories
In this paper we answer the question: `what kind of a structure can a general multicategory be enriched in?' The answer is, in a sense to be made precise, that a multicategory of one type can be enriched in a multicategory of the type one level up. In the case of ordinary categories this reduces to something surprising: a category may be enriched in an `fc-multicategory', a very general kind of 2-dimensional structure encompassing monoidal categories, plain multicategories, bicategories and double categories. (It turns out that fc-multicategories also provide a natural setting for the bimodules construction.) An extended application is given: the relaxed multicategories of Borcherds and Soibelman are explained in terms of enrichment.
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General Operads and Multicategories
Notions of `operad' and `multicategory' abound. This work provides a single framework in which many of these various notions can be expressed. Explicitly: given a monad * on a category S, we define the term `(S,*)-multicategory', subject to certain conditions on S and *. Different choices of S and * give some of the existing notions of operad and multicategory. We then describe the `algebras' for an (S,*)-multicategory and, finally, present a tentative selection of further developments. Our approach makes possible concise descriptions of Baez and Dolan's opetopes and Batanin's operads; both of these are included.
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