Two short proofs of the topological invariance of intersection homology

Abstract

We indicate two short proofs of the Goresky-MacPherson topological invariance of intersection homology. One proof is very short but requires the Goresky-MacPherson support and cosupport axioms; the other is slightly longer but does not require these axioms and so is adaptable to more general perversities.

6 pages. This version updates the first one to acknowledge previous work by Habegger and Saper and also adds a new even shorter proof of the main theorem