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Loop Space




:\Omega X = \mathcal{C}(S^1, X).

That is, a particular Function Space .

In Homotopy Theory ''loop space'' commonly refers to the same construction applied to Pointed Space s, i.e. continuous maps respecting Base Point s.
In this setting there is a natural "concatenation operation" by which two elements of the loop space can be combined. With this operation, the loop space can be regarded as a Magma . If we consider the Quotient of the loop space with respect to the equivalence relation of pointed homotopy, then we obtain a Group , the well-known Fundamental Group .

The iterated loop spaces of ''X'' are formed by applying Ω a number of times.

The loop space construction is Right Adjoint to the Suspension Functor , and the version for pointed spaces to the Reduced Suspension . This accounts for much of the importance of loop spaces in Stable Homotopy Theory .


SEE ALSO