A $\text{Gray}$-categorical pasting theorem

Abstract

The notion of $\text{Gray}$-category, a semi-strict $3$-category in which the middle four interchange is weakened to an isomorphism, is central in the study of three-dimensional category theory. In this context it is common practice to use $2$-dimensional pasting diagrams to express composites of $2$-cells, however there is no thorough treatment in the literature justifying this procedure. We fill this gap by providing a formal approach to pasting in $\text{Gray}$-categories and by proving that such composites are uniquely defined up to a contractible groupoid of choices.

arXiv comment18 pages (originally 15). Version accepted for publication by Theory and Applications of Categories