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Alexander-spanier Cohomology




Given a manifold ''X'', let \Omega^k_{\mathrm c}(X) be the Real Vector Space of ''k''-forms on ''X'' with compact support, and ''d'' be the standard Exterior Derivative .

Then the ''Alexander-Spanier cohomology groups'' H^k_{\mathrm c}(X) are the Homology of the Chain Complex (\Omega^\bullet_{\mathrm c}(X),d):

:0 o \Omega^0_{\mathrm c}(X) o \Omega^1_{\mathrm c}(X) o \Omega^2_{\mathrm c}(X) o \ldots;

i.e., H^k_{\mathrm c}(X) is the vector space of Closed ''k''-forms Modulo that of Exact ''k''-forms.

Despite their definition as the homology of an ascending complex, the Alexander-Spanier groups demonstrate Covariant behavior; for example, given the inclusion mapping for an open set ''U'' of ''X'', extension of forms on ''U'' to ''X'' (by defining them to be 0 on ''X-U'') is a map \Omega^\bullet_{\mathrm c}(U) o \Omega^\bullet_{\mathrm c}(X) inducing a map

:H^k_{\mathrm c}(U) o H^k_{\mathrm c}(X).

They also demonstrate

  • :

  • \Omega^k_{\mathrm c}(X) o \Omega^k_{\mathrm c}(U):

\sum_I g_I \, dx_{i_1} \wedge \ldots \wedge dx_{i_k} \mapsto
(g \circ f) \, d(x_{i_1} \circ f) \wedge \ldots \wedge d(x_{i_k} \circ f)

induces a map

:H^k_{\mathrm c}(X) o H^k_{\mathrm c}(U).

A Mayer-Vietoris Sequence holds for Alexander-Spanier cohomology.