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Thesis

On surgery presentations of bordism bicategories

Abstract:
The d-dimensional bordism (2, 1)-category has as objects closed (d−1)- dimensional manifolds, as 1-morphisms d-dimensional cobordisms, and as 2-morphisms isotopy classes of diffeomorphisms.

In Part I of this thesis, we obtain generators-and-relations presentations of the oriented and unoriented d-dimensional bordism (2, 1)-categories. These presentations, denoted Suror (d−1; d; ∼) and Sur(d−1; d; ∼) respectively, consist of Morse and Cerf graphics suitably decorated with surgery data.

In Part II, we discuss what it means for a 2-categorical presentation to be skeletal. We introduce a general skeletalization procedure and apply it to Suror (1; 2; ∼) . This yields a skeletal presentation of the oriented 2- dimensional bordism (2, 1)-category, which is, in particular, finite.

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Mathematical Institute
Role:
Author

Contributors

Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Mathematical Institute
Role:
Supervisor
ORCID:
0000-0003-3146-9314
Role:
Supervisor
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Mathematical Institute
Role:
Supervisor
ORCID:
0000-0002-8076-7660


DOI:
Type of award:
DPhil
Level of award:
Doctoral
Awarding institution:
University of Oxford


Language:
English
Keywords:
Subjects:
Deposit date:
2026-03-31
ARK identifier:

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