Coverings of Configurations, Prime Configurations, and Orbiconfigurations

Abstract

This exploratory paper considers the notion of a covering of a configuration and $G$-coverings which are coverings that are quotients under a semi-regular group action. We consider prime configurations, those which cannot $G$-cover other configurations, before considering orbiconfigurations. These are a generalized notion of a configuration in the spirit of an orbifold. We derive some specific results as to when configurations are prime as well as considering when an orbiconfiguration is bad - that is, when it cannot be $G$-covered by a configuration. A number of open questions are posited within.

14 pages, 11 figures. Resubmitted version after referee's comments