A homotopy equivalence on the simplicial complex
of not 2-connected graphs

Patricia Muldoon
University of Kentucky

Monday, April 18, 2005
4 pm, 945 Patterson Office Tower

Abstract:

This talk will begin with an introduction to Robin Forman's Discrete Morse Theory which will be applied to obtain a matching on the Hasse diagram of a simplicial complex. This matching will determine the homotopy type of the complex - in particular, that it is contractible. In 1999, Babson, Bjorner, Linusson, Shareshian, and Welker apply this result to show the simplicial complex of not 2-connected graphs in homotopy equivalent to a wedge of (n-2)! spheres of dimension 2n-5.