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I have read about the following exact sequence of cohomology: Let $V$ be an algebraic variety over $\mathbb{C}$. If $U\subset V$ is an open subvariety, then there is a long exact sequence for singular cohomology with compact support: $$ H^{\bullet}_c (U) \rightarrow H^{\bullet}_c (V) \rightarrow H^{\bullet}_c(V/U) \rightarrow H^{\bullet+1}_c(U).$$ Called the Thom–Gysin exact sequence. Unfortunately i don't find a reference. I only know the Gysin exact sequence for De Rham Cohomology.

  1. How are incuded the morphisms in the long exact sequence?
  2. Where i can find a proof or reference of this long exact sequence?

Thanks.

Babai
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jaasar
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  • De Rahm cohomology (the same as singular cohomology) and singular cohomology with compact support are dual! I.e. $H_c^k = H_{DR}^{{n-k}^*}$. Look at poincare duality! – Phil Tosteson Oct 27 '14 at 04:37
  • @Phil : Can you give reference where I can find this sequence? Or can you say it explicitly how to derive it? I have only seen it is just mentioned in a foot-note in the latest edition of David Mumford's Geometric Invariant Theory . – Babai Oct 27 '14 at 08:01
  • If you have a version for De Rahm, then taking duals should give you the compact version. Sorry I don't have a reference (hence the comment, and no answer) – Phil Tosteson Oct 27 '14 at 14:12

1 Answers1

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I will do the result for singular cohomology. As @Phil has noted, de Rham and compact support are dual. In fact, this result actually extends well beyond singular cohomology, and will hold if you replace $H^*$ with any complex orientable generalized ($G$-equivariant) cohomology theory $E_{G}^*$. Let's recall a few quick facts:

Thom Spaces

Let $\xi = p: E(\xi) \to B(\xi)$ be a rank-$n$ ($G$-equivariant) vector bundle. There are two ways of thinking about the Thom space $Th(\xi)$ of $\xi$.

  1. The first is to use a partition of unity to give $E$ a metric, and let $D(\xi)$ be the unit disk-bundle associated to $\xi$. Similarly, take $S(\xi)$ to be the associated sphere bundle, and define the Thom space $Th(\xi) = D(\xi)/S(\xi)$.

  2. Let $E_0(\xi)$ be the complement of the image of the zero section $z: B(\xi) \to E(\xi)$ in $E(\xi)$. Define the Thom space to the be relative pair $(E(\xi), E_0(\xi))$.

To see that these are homotopy equivalent, note that the following diagram is commutative. $$ \require{AMScd} \begin{CD} S(\xi) @>>> D(\xi) @>>> (Th(\xi), \text{pt})\\ @V{\simeq}VV @V{\simeq}VV @V{\phi}VV \\ E_0(\xi) @>>> E(\xi) @>>> (E(\xi),E_0(\xi)) \\ {} @V{p}VV \\ {} @. B \end{CD} $$

Now using the (short) 5-Lemma, we conclude that $\phi$ is a homotopy equivalence.

The Thom Isomorphism: If $\xi = p: E(\xi) \to B(\xi)$ is an orientable rank-$n$ vector bundle, then there exists a class $\tau \in H^n(Th(\xi))$ such that $\Phi: H^*(B(\xi)) \to H^{*+n}(Th(\xi))$, given by $\Phi(\eta) = p^*(\eta) \cup \tau$, is an isomorphism.

The Long Exact Sequence of Relative Cohomology

Recall that for a topological space $X$ and a ($G$-equivariant) subspace $Y$ we have a sequence of relative inclusions $$(Y,\emptyset) \hookrightarrow (X,\emptyset) \hookrightarrow (X,Y)$$ which induces a long exact sequence in relative cohomology $$ \cdots\longrightarrow H^*(X,Y) \longrightarrow H^*(X) \longrightarrow H^*(Y) \longrightarrow\cdots$$ which appropriate connecting morphisms.

The Excision Theorem: If $U \subseteq Y \subseteq X$ are topological ($G$-invariant) spaces such that the closure of $U$ is contained in the interior of $V$, then there is an isomorphism $$H^*(X,Y)\cong H^*(X\setminus U, Y\setminus V)$$

The Thom Gysin Sequence

Let $T$ be a tubular neighbourhood of $Y$ in $X$, so that $T = \iota(\nu_X Y)$ where $\iota: \nu_XY \hookrightarrow X$ is an embedding of the normal bundle $\nu_XY$ into $X$. The rank of $\nu_X Y$ is the codimension of $Y$ in $X$, which we set to be $d$. Now notice that $X\setminus T$ is closed, $X \setminus Y$ is open, and $X \setminus T \subseteq X \setminus Y$, so certainly the subspaces $X \setminus T \subseteq X \setminus Y \subseteq X$ satisfy the hypothesis of the Excision theorem. Excising $X \setminus T$ from $(X, X \setminus Y)$ we get

$$ X \setminus (X\setminus T) = X \cap T = T, \qquad (X \setminus Y)\setminus(X \setminus T) = X\setminus Y \cap T = T \setminus Y.$$

Notice that $Y$ is isomorphic to the zero section $\iota \circ z: Y \to \nu_X Y \to T$, so that applying the Excision theorem, and then using the Thom isomorphism, we get $$ H^*(X, X \setminus Y) \cong H^*(T, T\setminus Y) \cong H^*(\nu_XY, (\nu_XY)_0) \cong H^{*-d}(Y).$$ where $(\nu_XY)_0$ is the complement of the zero section.

Plugging this into our long exact sequence of relative cohomology

$$ \cdots\longrightarrow \underbrace{H^{*}(X, X\setminus Y)}_{\cong H^{*-d}(Y)} \longrightarrow H^*(X) \longrightarrow H^*(X\setminus Y) \longrightarrow\cdots$$

Tyler Holden
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    How is excision used here? We cut out the same space from $X$ and $X \setminus Y$, but I don't understand how the closure of $X \setminus T$ is contained its interior. I am probably missing something. – modnar Jul 17 '19 at 18:01