Crossed modules of racks

Alissa S. Crans, Friedrich Wagemann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We generalize the notion of a crossed module of groups to that of a crossed module of racks. We investigate the relation to categorified racks, namely strict 2-racks, and trunk-like objects in the category of racks, generalizing the relation between crossed modules of groups and strict 2-groups. Then we explore topological applications. We show that by applying the rack-space functor, a crossed module of racks gives rise to a covering. Our main result shows how the fundamental racks associated to links upstairs and downstairs in a covering fit together to form a crossed module of racks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)85-106
JournalHomology, Homotopy, and Applications
Volume16
Issue number2
StatePublished - 2014

Disciplines

  • Algebra

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