Two, more readily computable equivariant Nielsen numbers I. Nielsen theory for M-ads

In this, the first of two papers outlining a Nielsen theory for “two, more readily computable equivariant numbers”, we define and study two Nielsen type numbers N(f,k;X−{Xν}_ν∈M) and N(f,k;X,{Xν}_ν∈M), where f and k are M-ad maps. While a Nielsen theory of M-ads is of interest in its own right, our main motivation lies in the fact that maps of M-ads accurately mirror one of two fundamental structures of equivariant maps. Being simpler however, M-ad Nielsen numbers are easier to study and to compute than equivariant Nielsen numbers. In the sequel, we show our M-ad numbers can be used to form both upper and lower bounds on their equivariant counterparts.The numbers N(f,k;X−{Xν}_ν∈M) and N(f,k;X,{Xν}_ν∈M), generalize the generalizations to coincidences, of Zhao's Nielsen number on the complement N(f;X−A), respectively Schirmer's relative Nielsen number N(f;X,A). Our generalizations are from the category of pairs, to the category of M-ads. The new numbers are lower bounds for the number of coincidence points of all maps f^′ and k^′ which are homotopic as maps ofM-ads to f, respectively k firstly on the complement of the union of the subspaces Xν in the domain M-ad X, and secondly on all of X. The second number is shown to be greater than or equal to a sum of the first of our numbers. Conditions are given which allow for both equality, and Möbius inversion. Finally we show that the fixed point case of our second number generalizes Schirmer's triad Nielsen number N(f;X₁∪X₂).Our work is very different from what at first sight appears to be similar partial results due to P. Wong. The differences, while in some sense subtle in terms of definition, are profound in terms of commutability. In order to work in a variety of both fixed point and coincidence points contexts, we introduce in this first paper and extend in the second, the concept of an essentiality on a topological category. This allows us to give computational theorems within this diversity. Finally we include an introduction to both papers here.     

The finiteness of the Reidemeister number of morphisms between almost-crystallographic groups

We give a practical criterion to determine whether a given pair of morphisms between almost-crystallographic groups has a finite Reidemeister coincidence number. As an application, we determine all two- and three-dimensional almost-crystallographic groups that have the R _∞ property. We also show that for a pair of continuous maps between oriented infra-nilmanifolds of equal dimension, the Nielsen coincidence number equals the Reidemeister coincidence number when the latter is finite.     

Coincidence Nielsen numbers for covering maps for smooth manifolds

Let be maps between closed smooth manifolds of the same dimension, and let and be finite regular covering maps. If the manifolds are nonorientable, using semi-index, we introduce two new Nielsen numbers. The first one is the Linear Nielsen number NL(f,g), which is a linear combination of the Nielsen numbers of the lifts of f and g. The second one is the Nonlinear Nielsen number NED(f,g). It is the number of certain essential classes whose inverse images by p are inessential Nielsen classes. In fact, N(f,g)=NL(f,g)+NED(f,g), where by abuse of notation, N(f,g) denotes the coincidence Nielsen number defined using semi-index.     

Obtainable sizes of topologies on finite sets

We study the smallest possible number of points in a topological space having k open sets. Equivalently, this is the smallest possible number of elements in a poset having k order ideals. Using efficient algorithms for constructing a topology with a prescribed size, we show that this number has a logarithmic upper bound. We deduce that there exists a topology on n points having k open sets, for all k in an interval which is exponentially large in n. The construction algorithms can be modified to produce topologies where the smallest neighborhood of each point has a minimal size, and we give a range of obtainable sizes for such topologies.     

Minimum numbers and Wecken theorems in topological coincidence theory. I

Minimum numbers measure the obstruction to removing coincidences of two given maps (between smooth manifolds M and N of dimensions m and n, resp.). In this paper, we compare them to four distinct types of Nielsen numbers. These agree with the classical Nielsen number when m = n (e.g., in the fixed point setting where M = N and one of the maps is the identity map). However, in higher codimensions, m − n > 0, their definitions and computations involve distinct aspects of differential topology and homotopy theory.     

Coincidences of projections and linear n-valued maps of tori

We prove that the Nielsen fixed point number N(φ) of an n-valued map φ:X?X of a compact connected triangulated orientable q-manifold without boundary is equal to the Nielsen coincidence number of the projections of the graph of φ, a subset of X×X, to the two factors. For certain q×q integer matrices A, there exist “linear” n-valued maps Φn,A,σ:Tq?Tq of q-tori that generalize the single-valued maps fA:Tq→Tq induced by the linear transformations TA:Rq→Rq defined by TA(v)=Av. By calculating the Nielsen coincidence number of the projections of its graph, we calculate N(Φn,A,σ) for a large class of linear n-valued maps.     

Nielsen numbers of n-valued fiber maps

The Nielsen number for n-valued multimaps, defined by Schirmer, has been calculated only for the circle. A concept of n-valued fiber map on the total space of a fibration is introduced. A formula for the Nielsen numbers of n-valued fiber maps of fibrations over the circle reduces the calculation to the computation of Nielsen numbers of single-valued maps. If the fibration is orientable, the product formula for single-valued fiber maps fails to generalize, but a “semi-product formula" is obtained. In this way, the class of n-valued multimaps for which the Nielsen number can be computed is substantially enlarged. Dedicated, with gratitude, to Felix Browder who, long ago, encouraged and supported a young topologist’s interest in fixed point theory     

On continuous maps between Grassmann manifolds

LetG _n,k denote the Grassmann manifold ofk-planes in ?ⁿ. We show that for any continuous mapf: G _n,k→G_n,l the induced map inZ/2-cohomology is either zero in positive dimensions or has image in the subring generated by w₁(γ_{n, k}), provided 1≤l<k≤[n/2] andn≥k+2l-1. Our main application is to obtain negative results on the existence of equivariant maps between oriented Grassmann manifolds. We also obtain positive results in many cases on the existence of equivariant maps between oriented Grassmann manifolds.     

Nielsen periodic point theory for periodic maps on orientable surfaces

Let denote a periodic self map of minimal period m on the orientable surface of genus g with g>1. We study the calculation of the Nielsen periodic numbers NPn(f) and NΦn(f). Unlike the general situation of arbitrary maps on such surfaces, strong geometric results of Jiang and Guo allow for straightforward calculations when n≠m. However, determining NPm(f) involves some surprises. Because fm=idFg, fm has one Nielsen class Em. This class is essential because L(idFg)=χ(Fg)=2−2g≠0. If there exists k<m with L(fk)≠0 then Em reduces to the essential fixed points of fk. There are maps g (we call them minLef maps) for which L(gk)=0 for all k<m. We show that the period of any minLef map must always divide 2g−2. We prove that for such maps Em reduces algebraically iff it reduces geometrically. This result eliminates one of the most difficult problems in calculating the Nielsen periodic point numbers and gives a complete trichotomy (non-minLef, reducible minLef, and irreducible minLef) for periodic maps on Fg.We prove that reducible minLef maps must have even period. For each of the three types of periodic maps we exhibit an example f and calculate both NPn(f) and NΦn(f) for all n. The example of an irreducible minLef map is on F₄ and is of maximal period 6. The example of a non-minLef map is on F₂ and has maximal period 12 on F₂. It is defined geometrically by Wang, and we provide the induced homomorphism and analyze it. The example of an irreducible minLef map is a map of period 6 on F₄ defined by Yang. No algebraic analysis is necessary to prove that this last example is an irreducible minLef map. We explore the algebra involved because it is intriguing in its own right. The examples of reducible minLef maps are simple inversions, which can be applied to any Fg. Using these examples we disprove the conjecture from the conclusion of our previous paper.     

Small point sets of PG(n, q 3) intersecting each k-subspace in 1 mod q points

The main result of this paper is that point sets of PG(n, q ³), q = p ^h , p ≥ 7 prime, of size less than 3(q ^3(n?k) + 1)/2 intersecting each k-space in 1 modulo q points (these are always small minimal blocking sets with respect to k-spaces) are linear blocking sets. As a consequence, we get that minimal blocking sets of PG(n, p ³), p ≥ 7 prime, of size less than 3(p ^3(n?k) + 1)/2 with respect to k-spaces are linear. We also give a classification of small linear blocking sets of PG(n, q ³) which meet every (n ? 2)-space in 1 modulo q points.     

Some dimensional results for homogeneous Moran sets

Let ?(¦n _k ¦k?1,¦c _k ¦k?1) be the collection of homogeneous Moran sets determined by ¦n _k ¦k?1 and ¦c _k ¦k?1, where ¦n _k ¦k?1 is a sequence of positive integers and ¦c _k ¦k?1 a sequence of positive numbers. Then the maximal and minimal values of Hausdorff dimensions for elements in ? are determined. The result is proved that for any values between the maximal and minimal values, there exists an element in ?(¦n _k ¦k?1,¦c _k¦k?1) such that its Hausdorff dimension is equal tos. The same results hold for packing dimension. In the meantime, some other properties of homogeneous Moran sets are discussed.     

Upper and Lower Hausdorff Dimension Estimates for Invariant Sets of k — 1 — Endomorphisms

For a special class of non–injective maps on Riemannian manifolds upper and lower bounds for the Hausdorff dimension of invariant sets are given in terms of the singular values of the tangent map. The upper estimation is based on a theorem by Douady and Oesterlé and its generalization to Riemannian manifolds by Noack and Reitmann , but additionally information about the noninjectivity is used. The lower estimation can be reached by modifying a method, derived by Shereshevskij for geometric constructions on the real line (also described by Barreira , for similar constructions in general metric spaces. The upper and lower dimension estimates for k — 1 — endomorphisms can for instance be applied to Julia sets of quadratic maps on the complex plane.     

Cancelling periodic points

We prove that a self map of a PL-manifold of dimension is homotopic to a map with no periodic points of period n iff the Nielsen numbers (k divides n) disappear. Received: 15 December 1999 / Accepted: 25 September 2000 / Published online: 18 June 2001     

Two, more readily computable, equivariant Nielsen numbers II

In this paper, we present and make computations of two equivariant Nielsen type numbers NG(f(H),k(H)) and NG(f(H),k(H)). The second one is new, while the first one extends and clarifies one given earlier by the author and Jianhan Guo. Both numbers were defined here in terms of Nielsen theory of M-ads introduced in the prequel to this work. The theory of M-ads is also used to give both upper and lower bounds on our numbers, and to make specific computations. Our numbers moreover, fit together in the same way that the two Nielsen type periodic point numbers NPn(f) and NΦn(f) fit together. In particular, we show that NG(f(H),k(H)) is greater than or equal to a sum of numbers of the form NG(f(K),k(K)), and give conditions for equality and Möbius inversion. The periodic point theory results are then seen to follow from what are actually generalizations of them.We work with both fixed point, and coincidence point classes, in the context of a category with essentiality which we introduced in the prequel on M-ads. It is intended that this paper be read in tandem with said prequel.     

The minimizing of the Nielsen root classes

Given a map f: X→Y and a Nielsen root class, there is a number associated to this root class, which is the minimal number of points among all root classes which are H-related to the given one for all homotopies H of the map f. We show that for maps between closed surfaces it is possible to deform f such that all the Nielsen root classes have cardinality equal to the minimal number if and only if either N R[f]≤1, or N R[f]>1 and f satisfies the Wecken property. Here N R[f] denotes the Nielsen root number. The condition “f satisfies the Wecken property is known to be equivalent to |deg(f)|≤N R[f]/(1−χ(M ₂)−χ(M ₁0/(1−χ(M ₂)) for maps between closed orientable surfaces. In the case of nonorientable surfaces the condition is A(f)≤N R[f]/(1−χ(M ₂)−χ(M ₂)/(1−χ(M ₂)). Also we construct, for each integer n≥3, an example of a map f: K _n →N from an n-dimensionally connected complex of dimension n to an n-dimensional manifold such that we cannot deform f in a way that all the Nielsen root classes reach the minimal number of points at the same time.     

Minimizing coincidence in positive codimension

Let f and g be maps between smooth manifolds M and N of dimensions n + m and n, respectively (where m > 0 and n > 2). Suppose that the image (fxg)(M) intersects the diagonal N × N in finitely many points, whose preimages are smooth m-submanifolds inM. The problem of minimizing the coincidence set Coin(f, g) of the maps f and g with respect to these preimages and/or their components is considered. The author’s earlier results are strengthened. Namely, sufficient conditions under which such a coincidence m-submanifold can be removed without additional dimensional constraints are obtained.     

Fixed points of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-valued maps on surfaces and the Wecken property—a configuration space approach

In this paper, we explore the fixed point theory of n-valued maps using configuration spaces and braid groups, focusing on two fundamental problems, the Wecken property, and the computation of the Nielsen number. We show that the projective plane (resp. the 2-sphere S²) has the Wecken property for n-valued maps for all n ∈ ? (resp. all n ≥ 3). In the case n = 2 and S², we prove a partial result about the Wecken property. We then describe the Nielsen number of a non-split n-valued map Open image in new window of an orientable, compact manifold without boundary in terms of the Nielsen coincidence numbers of a certain finite covering q: X? → X with a subset of the coordinate maps of a lift of the n-valued split map Open image in new window .     

Coincidences of maps into homogeneous spaces

Let f,g:X→M be maps between two closed connected orientable n-manifolds where M=G/K is the homogeneous space of left cosets of a compact connected Lie group G by a finite subgroup K. In this note, we obtain a simple formula for the Lefschetz coincidence number L(f,g) in terms of topological degree, generalizing some previously known formulas for fixed points. Our approach, by means of Nielsen root theory, also allows us to give a simpler and more geometric proof of the fact that all coincidence classes of f and g have coincidence index of the same sign. Received: 3 March 1998 / Revised version: 29 June 1998     

Lelek maps and n-dimensional maps from compacta to polyhedra

For a natural number m?0, a map from a compactum X to a metric space Y is an m-dimensional Lelek map if the union of all non-trivial continua contained in the fibers of f is of dimension ?m. In [M. Levin, Certain finite-dimensional maps and their application to hyperspaces, Israel J. Math. 105 (1998) 257-262], Levin proved that in the space C(X,I) of all maps of an n-dimensional compactum X to the unit interval I=[0,1], almost all maps are (n−1)-dimensional Lelek maps. Moreover, he showed that in the space C(X,Ik) of all maps of an n-dimensional compactum X to the k-dimensional cube Ik (k?1), almost all maps are (n−k)-dimensional Lelek maps. In this paper, we generalize Levin's result. For any (separable) metric space Y, we define the piecewise embedding dimension ped(Y) of Y and we prove that in the space C(X,Y) of all maps of an n-dimensional compactum X to a complete metric ANR Y, almost all maps are (n−k)-dimensional Lelek maps, where k=ped(Y). As a corollary, we prove that in the space C(X,Y) of all maps of an n-dimensional compactum X to a Peano curve Y, almost all maps are (n−1)-dimensional Lelek maps and in the space C(X,M) of all maps of an n-dimensional compactum X to a k-dimensional Menger manifold M, almost all maps are (n−k)-dimensional Lelek maps. It is known that k-dimensional Lelek maps are k-dimensional maps for k?0.     

Equivariant Nielsen fixed point theory for n-valued maps

We develop an equivariant Nielsen fixed point theory for n-valued G-maps by associating (as in Better (2010) [2]) an abstract simplicial complex to any equivariant n-valued map and defining, in terms of this complex, two n-valued continuous G-homotopy invariants that are lower bounds for the number of fixed points and of orbits in the n-valued continuous G-homotopy class of a given n-valued G-map. We also provide an equivariant Hopf construction for n-valued G-maps as well as a minimality result for the Nielsen numbers introduced in this setting.