The topology of spaces of knots

Abstract

We present two models for the space of knots which have endpoints at fixed boundary points in a manifold with boundary, one model defined as an inverse limit of spaces of maps between configuration spaces and another which is cosimplicial. These models build on the calculus of isotopy functors and are weakly homotopy equivalent to knot spaces when the ambient dimension is greater than three. The mapping space model, and the evaluation map on which it builds, is suitable for analysis through differential topology. The cosimplicial model gives rise to spectral sequences which converge to cohomology and homotopy groups of spaces of knots when they are connected. We explicitly identify and establish vanishing lines in these spectral sequences.

Final version, to appear in American Journal of Mathematics

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• Multivariable manifold calculus of functors
• Associahedron, cyclohedron, and permutohedron as compactifications of configuration spaces
• Cosimplicial models for spaces of links
• A survey of Bott-Taubes integration
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