Search arXivSearch

arXiv · 2604.22186

Homotopic morphisms and diagram theorems in extriangulated categories

Abstract

Homotopic morphisms of $\mathbb E$-triangles in extriangulated categories are introduced. Any morphism of $\mathbb E$-triangles is a composition of homotopic morphisms. Any morphism $(α_1, α_2, α_3)$ of $\mathbb E$-triangles can be modified to be homotopic, by changing one of $α_i$; moreover, all the 15 cases where $α_i$ is an $\mathbb E$-inflation ($\mathbb E$-deflation) are analyzed. Some diagram theorems, especially $4\times 4$ Lemma and its $14$ variants, including $3\times 3$ diagram and Horseshoe Lemma, are investigated. A relation between homotopic morphisms and (middling) good morphisms in triangulated categories are given. Weakly idempotent complete extriangulated categories are characterized.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Chencheng Zhang, Xue-Song Lu, Pu Zhang. 2026-04-24. Homotopic morphisms and diagram theorems in extriangulated categories. https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.22186

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

A Categorical Generalization of Counterpoint

We extend Mazzola's counterpoint model using category theory, generalizing from the category $\mathbf{Set}$ to an arbitrary topos other than $\mathbf{Set}$. This generalization suggests that counterpoint's essential structure depends on specific categorical conditions rather than classical set-theoretic reasoning. A key contribution is identifying sufficient requirements for a well-behaved counterpoint theory in a topos: some version of Zorn's Lemma (GJZL), and two-valuedness and split supports (NS). Within a topos, we introduce (weak) quasidichotomies alongside the classical notion of dichotomy. These structures capture varying degrees of oppositional structure between consonance and dissonance, with weak quasidichotomies preserving the non-Boolean flexibility essential to musical practice while quasidichotomies represent maximal opposition short of complete partition. We prove a generalized counterpoint theorem giving sufficient conditions for the existence of admitted successors. When the ambient topos turns non-zero successor objects into points, admitted succession can be iterated to form counterpoint paths, which may terminate at consonances with no admitted successor. The framework naturally accommodates counterpoint with sets instead of pure pitches, relaxing the ``yes/no'' character of classical consonance definitions and emphasizing context-dependence. Mazzola's model allows a Kuratowski closure operator induced by a polarity, which defines an internal topology enabling algebraic-topological analysis of counterpoint structure. We conclude by showing this construction generalizes to involutive morphisms. This categorical approach provides foundations for understanding both the historical evolution of contrapuntal practice and cross-cultural divergences in interval organization.

math.CT

From 3-crossed modules to Gray-type 4-categories

In this paper, we investigate the relation between the category of 3-crossed modules and the category of Gray-type 4-groups. The notion of a 3-crossed module was first introduced by Arvasi \textit{et al.}, motivated by the question of what kind of algebraic structure completely encodes a homotopy 4-type. On the other hand, from the point of view that higher groups are equivalent to algebraic realizations of higher categories -- as exemplified by the relationship between 2-crossed modules and Gray 3-groups established by Sarikaya--Ulualan -- it had not been clear how the 3-crossed modules of Arvasi \textit{et al.} relate to any higher category. In our previous paper, we proposed a new definition of a 3-crossed module and observed that it admits a natural interpretation in terms of higher categories. In this paper, we make this interpretation precise: we introduce a 4-category, which reduces to a semistrict braided monoidal 2-category when restricted to a single object and a single 1-morphism, and prove that the category of our 3-crossed modules is equivalent to the category of Gray 4-groups, defined as single-object versions of this 4-category in which all morphisms are invertible. We therefore expect that these structures can correctly capture the topological nature of surface knots and higher-dimensional manifolds.

math.CT

Observations on the variety of equationally linear Heyting semilattices

In previous work, we analysed a number of categorical properties, of interest in the context of Janelidze-Márki-Tholen semi-abelian categories, for the variety $\mathsf{HSLat}$ of Heyting semilattices. In this paper, we focus on the subvariety $\mathsf{ELHSLat}$ of equationally linear Heyting semilattices. Our main objective is to show that, unlike $\mathsf{HSLat}$, this category is algebraically coherent. We furthermore prove that it is neither locally algebraically cartesian closed nor cosmash associative.

math.CT