Relation between intersection homology and homotopy groups

Abstract

As Goresky and MacPherson intersection homology is not the homology of a space, there is no preferred candidate for intersection homotopy groups. Here, they are defined as the homotopy groups of a simplicial set which Gajer associates to a couple $(X,\overline{p})$ of a filtered space and a perversity. We first establish some basic properties of the intersection fundamental groups, such as a Van Kampen theorem. For general intersection homotopy groups on Siebenmann CS sets, we prove a Hurewicz theorem between them and the Goresky and MacPherson intersection homology. If the CS set and its intrinsic stratification have the same regular part, we establish the topological invariance of the $\overline{p}$-intersection homotopy groups. Several examples justify the hypotheses made in the statements. Finally, intersection homotopy groups also coincide with the homotopy groups of the topological space itself, for the top perversity on a connected normal Thom–Mather space.