Topology Seminar

When free algebras are not free modules and the weird world of equivariant algebra

David Mehrle, Cornell University

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Hylan 1106A

In homological algebra, we take for granted that the free Z-algebra Z[x] is also free as a Z-module. This fact is crucial for certain computations in homotopy theory. We want to make some of these same computations in equivariant homotopy theory, where Z-algebras are replaced by incomplete Tambara functors and Z-modules are replaced by Mackey functors. However, a free incomplete Tambara functor is almost never (i.e. with probability zero) free as a Mackey functor! In this talk, I will explain this oddity of equivariant homotopy theory and one way to resolve it. This is joint work with Mike Hill and J.D. Quigley.

Event contact: bogdan dot krstic at rochester dot edu