(L)-Semigroup Sums

Abstract

An (L)-semigroup S is a compact n-manifold with connected boundary B together with a monoid structure on S such that B is a subsemigroup of S. The sum S + T of two (L)-semigroups S and T having boundary B is the quotient space obtained from the union of S × { 0 } and T × { 1 } by identifying the point ( x , 0 ) in S × { 0 } with ( x , 1 ) in T × { 1 } for each x in B. It is shown that no (L)-semigroup sum of dimension less than or equal to five admits an H-space structure, nor does any (L)-semigroup sum obtained from (L)-semigroups having an Abelian boundary. In particular, such sums cannot be a retract of a topological group.