Let Y be a connected group and let f: X → Y be a covering map with the total space X being connected. We consider the following question: Is it possible to define a topological group structure on X in such a way that f becomes a homomorphism of topological groups. This holds in some particular cases: if Y is a pathwise connected and locally pathwise connected group or if f is a finite-sheeted covering map over a compact connected group Y. However, using shape-theoretic techniques and Fox's notion of an overlay map, we answer the question in the negative. We consider infinite-sheeted covering maps over solenoids, i.e. compact connected 1-dimensional abelian groups. First we show that an infinite-sheeted covering map f: X → Σ with a total space being connected over a solenoid Σ does not admit a topological group structure on X such that f becomes a homomorphism. Then, for an arbitrary solenoid Σ, we construct a connected space X and an infinite-sheeted covering map f: X → Σ, which provides a negative answer to the question.
@article{bwmeta1.element.bwnjournal-article-doi-10_4064-fm221-1-3,
author = {Katsuya Eda and Vlasta Matijevi\'c},
title = {Covering maps over solenoids which are not covering homomorphisms},
journal = {Fundamenta Mathematicae},
volume = {220},
year = {2013},
pages = {69-82},
zbl = {1276.22001},
language = {en},
url = {http://dml.mathdoc.fr/item/bwmeta1.element.bwnjournal-article-doi-10_4064-fm221-1-3}
}
Katsuya Eda; Vlasta Matijević. Covering maps over solenoids which are not covering homomorphisms. Fundamenta Mathematicae, Tome 220 (2013) pp. 69-82. http://gdmltest.u-ga.fr/item/bwmeta1.element.bwnjournal-article-doi-10_4064-fm221-1-3/