English

A pro-algebraic fundamental group for topological spaces

Algebraic Topology 2023-07-04 v2 General Topology

Abstract

Consider a connected topological space XX with a point xXx \in X and let KK be a field with the discrete topology. We study the Tannakian category of finite dimensional (flat) vector bundles on XX and its Tannakian dual πK(X,x)\pi_K (X,x) with respect to the fibre functor in xx. The maximal pro-\'etale quotient of πK(X,x)\pi_K (X,x) is the \'etale fundamental group of XX studied by Kucharczyk and Scholze. For well behaved topological spaces, πK(X,x)\pi_K (X,x) is the pro-algebraic completion of the ordinary fundamental group π1(X,x)\pi_1 (X,x). We obtain some structural results on πK(X,x)\pi_K (X,x) by studying (pseudo-)torsors attached to its quotients. This approach uses ideas of Nori in algebraic geometry and a result of Deligne on Tannakian categories. We also calculate πK(X,x)\pi_K (X,x) for some generalized solenoids.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2005.13893,
  title  = {A pro-algebraic fundamental group for topological spaces},
  author = {Christopher Deninger},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2005.13893},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

The article was submitted in happier times as a contribution to a special volume celebrating the 80th birthday of Professor Alexei Nikolaevich Parshin. Sadly this volume has now become his orbituary

R2 v1 2026-06-23T15:52:46.784Z