Higher-dimensional categories with finite derivation type

We study convergent (terminating and confluent) presentations of n-categories. Using the notion of polygraph (or computad), we introduce the homotopical property of finite derivation type for n-categories, generalizing the one introduced by Squier for word rewriting systems. We characterize this property by using the notion of critical branching. In particular, we define sufficient conditions for an n-category to have finite derivation type. Through examples, we present several techniques based on derivations of 2-categories to study convergent presentations by 3-polygraphs

Repetitive higher cluster categories of type A_n

We show that the repetitive higher cluster category of type A_n, defined as the orbit category D^b(mod kA_n)/(tau^{-1}[m])^p, is equivalent to a category defined on a subset of diagonals in a regular p(nm+1)-gon. This generalizes the construction of Caldero-Chapoton-Schiffler, which we recover when p=m=1, and the work of Baur-Marsh, treating the case p=1, m>1. Our approach also leads to a geometric model of the bounded derived category D^b(mod kA_n)

The univalence axiom for elegant Reedy presheaves

We show that Voevodsky's univalence axiom for intensional type theory is valid in categories of simplicial presheaves on elegant Reedy categories. In addition to diagrams on inverse categories, as considered in previous work of the author, this includes bisimplicial sets and $\Theta_n$-spaces. This has potential applications to the study of homotopical models for higher categories.Comment: 25 pages; v2: final version, to appear in HH

Towards a directed homotopy type theory

In this paper, we present a directed homotopy type theory for reasoning synthetically about (higher) categories, directed homotopy theory, and its applications to concurrency. We specify a new `homomorphism' type former for Martin-L\"of type theory which is roughly analogous to the identity type former originally introduced by Martin-L\"of. The homomorphism type former is meant to capture the notions of morphism (from the theory of categories) and directed path (from directed homotopy theory) just as the identity type former is known to capture the notions of isomorphism (from the theory of groupoids) and path (from homotopy theory). Our main result is an interpretation of these homomorphism types into Cat, the category of small categories. There, the interpretation of each homomorphism type hom(a,b) is indeed the set of morphisms between the objects a and b of a category C. We end the paper with an analysis of the interpretation in Cat with which we argue that our homomorphism types are indeed the directed version of Martin-L\"of's identity types

Higher-dimensional normalisation strategies for acyclicity

We introduce acyclic polygraphs, a notion of complete categorical cellular model for (small) categories, containing generators, relations and higher-dimensional globular syzygies. We give a rewriting method to construct explicit acyclic polygraphs from convergent presentations. For that, we introduce higher-dimensional normalisation strategies, defined as homotopically coherent ways to relate each cell of a polygraph to its normal form, then we prove that acyclicity is equivalent to the existence of a normalisation strategy. Using acyclic polygraphs, we define a higher-dimensional homotopical finiteness condition for higher categories which extends Squier's finite derivation type for monoids. We relate this homotopical property to a new homological finiteness condition that we introduce here.Comment: Final versio