nLab left Bousfield localization of model categories

Contents

Context

Model category theory

model category, model \infty -category

Definitions

Morphisms

Universal constructions

Refinements

Producing new model structures

Presentation of (,1)(\infty,1)-categories

Model structures

for \infty-groupoids

for ∞-groupoids

for equivariant \infty-groupoids

for rational \infty-groupoids

for rational equivariant \infty-groupoids

for nn-groupoids

for \infty-groups

for \infty-algebras

general \infty-algebras

specific \infty-algebras

for stable/spectrum objects

for (,1)(\infty,1)-categories

for stable (,1)(\infty,1)-categories

for (,1)(\infty,1)-operads

for (n,r)(n,r)-categories

for (,1)(\infty,1)-sheaves / \infty-stacks

Locality and descent

Contents

Idea

What is known as left Bousfield localization of model categories (Hirschhorn (2002), §3.3 following Bousfield (1975)) is a special case of localization of model categories corresponding to reflective localization, namely it is a Quillen reflection inducing a reflective sub- \infty -category inclusion in the associated \infty -categories.

Recall that the reflective localization of a category CC at a set of morphisms SS can be presented as the category of fractions of CC with respect to the class of SS-local equivalences. In complete analogy to this, the left Bousfield localization of a model category (and, more generally, of a relative category CC) at a set of morphisms SS can be presented as the same underlying category of CC equipped with the larger class of weak equivalences, called the SS-local morphisms.

Here the process of enlarging the class of weak equivalences can be seen as the homotopy coherent analogue of the classical category of fractions.

The historically original example is the Bousfield localization of spectra [Bousfield (1975)], but the notion is much more general, as explained above.

The existence of Bousfield localizations for cellular model categories was established in Hirschhorn (2002), Ch. 4 and for combinatorial model categories in Barwick (2010), Thm. 4.7 (based on Smith’s theorem) with discussion for the special case of simplicial model categories also in Lurie (2009), around A.3.7.3.

Left localization at a class of morphisms

Definition

The left localization of a model category CC with respect to a class of morphisms SS in CC is the initial object (if it exists) CL SCC \to L_S C in the following category:

(Hirschhorn 2002, Def. 3.3.1)

This definition immediately implies that left localizations, if they exist, are unique up to a unique isomorphism.

The adjective “left” in Def. refers to the fact that the localization functor is implemented as the left derived functor of CL SCC\to L_S C, in complete analogy to how the localization functor for a reflective localization is a left adjoint functor.

Right localizations are defined analogously and generalize coreflective localizations.

Local objects and local equivalences

Let CC be a model category with a class of morphisms SS.

We want to characterize objects in CC that “see elements of SS as weak equivalences”.

Lemma

In an ordinary category CC, by the Yoneda lemma a morphism f:ABf \colon A \to B is an isomorphism precisely if for all objects XX the morphism

Hom C(f,X):Hom C(B,X)Hom C(A,X) Hom_C(f,X) \colon Hom_C(B,X) \to Hom_C(A,X)

is an isomorphism (of sets, i.e., a bijection).

So we can “test isomorphism by homming them into objects”.

More generally, recall the following facts about reflective localizations. If CC is a category and SS is a class of morphisms in CC, then an SS-local object is an object XCX\in C such that for every f:ABf\colon A\to B in SS, the map C(B,X)C(A,X)C(B,X)\to C(A,X) is an isomorphism. An SS-local equivalence is a morphism g:EFg\colon E\to F such that for every SS-local object XCX\in C, the map C(F,X)C(E,X)C(F,X)\to C(E,X) is an isomorphism. The reflective localization of CC at SS (if it exists) is defined as an initial object in the category whose objects are left adjoint functors CDC\to D that send elements of SS to isomorphisms in DD, and morphisms are commutative triangles of left adjoint functors. The functor from the full subcategory of SS-local objects in CC into the category of fractions of CC with respect to SS-local equivalences is an equivalence of categories. Thus, both domain and codomain of the above functor are models for the reflective localization of CC at SS.

The following definitions offer a completely analogous picture for model categories.

Definition

(SS-local objects and SS-local weak equivalences) We say that

  • an object XX is an SS-local object if for all s:ABs : A \hookrightarrow B in SS the morphism

    RMap(s,X):RMap(B,X)RMap(A,X)RMap(s,X) : RMap(B,X) \to RMap(A,X)

    is a weak equivalence of simplicial sets, where RMapRMap denotes the homotopy function complex, implemented, for example, as the hammock localization;

  • conversely, say that a map f:ABf : A \hookrightarrow B is an SS-local weak equivalence if for all SS-local objects XX the morphism RMap(f,X):RMap(B,X)RMap(A,X)RMap(f,X) : RMap(B,X) \to RMap(A,X) is a weak equivalence of simplicial sets.

(Hirschhorn 2002, Def. 3.1.4)

We write W SW_S for the collection of SS-local weak equivalences.

Remark

For every weak equivalence f:ABf : A \stackrel{\simeq}{\to} B between cofibrant objects and every fibrant object XX in a simplicial model category CC the map

C(f,X):C(B,X)C(A,X)C(f,X) : C(B,X) \to C(A,X)

is a weak equivalence of simplicial sets. This is described in detail at enriched homs from cofibrants to fibrants.

Lemma

Every ordinary weak equivalence is also SS-local weak equivalence.

WW S.W \subset W_S.

(Hirschhorn 2002, Prop 3.1.5)

Left Bousfield localizations

Definition

(left Bousfield localization)

The left Bousfield localization L SCL_S C of a model category CC at a class of morphisms SS is, if it exists, the new model category structure on CC with

  • cofibrations are the same as before, cof L SC=cof Ccof_{L_S C } = cof_C;

  • weak equivalences are SS-local equivalences.

Again, the adjective “left” refers to the fact that the localization is implemented by the left derived functor, generalizing reflective localizations.

Right Bousfield localizations are defined analogously and generalize coreflective localizations.

Proposition

Any left Bousfield localization of MM at SS is also a left localization of MM at SS. Likewise for right localizations.

(Hirschhorn 2002, Thm. 3.3.19)

In practice, left localizations are always constructed as left Bousfield localizations. Therefore, both notions are used interchangeably.

Third definition

Definition

A left Bousfield localization C locC_{loc} of a model category CC is another model category structure on the same underlying category with the same cofibrations,

cof C loc=cof ccof_{C_{loc}} = cof_c

but more weak equivalences

W C locW C.W_{C_{loc}} \supset W_C.

While that’s a very simple definition, it turns out that something interesting happens to the fibrations when we keep the cofibrations fixed and increase the weak equivalences.

Remark

It follows directly that

  • C locC_{loc} has as fibrations a sub-class of the fibrations of CC

    fib C loc=rlp(cof C locW C loc)rlp(cof C locW C)=fib C. fib_{C_{loc}} = rlp(cof_{C_{loc}} \cap W_{C_{loc}}) \subset rlp(cof_{C_{loc}} \cap W_C) = fib_{C} \,.
  • C locC_{loc} has the same acyclic fibrations as CC

    fib C locW C loc=rlp(cof C loc)=rlp(cof C)=fib CW C. fib_{C_{loc}} \cap W_{C_{loc}} = rlp(cof_{C_{loc}}) = rlp(cof_C) = fib_C \cap W_C \,.
  • on the underlying categories

    • the identity functor Id:CC locId : C \to C_{loc} preserves cofibrations and weak equivalences

    • the identity functor Id:C locCId : C_{loc} \to C preserves fibrations and acyclic fibrations

    so that this pair of functors is a Quillen adjunction

    C locC, C_{loc} \stackrel{\leftarrow}{\to} C \,,

and a very special one: With C C^\circ the full subcategory on fibrant-cofibrant objects, under left Bousfield localization the fibrant-cofibrant objects of C locC_{loc} are a subcollection of those of CC, so that we have the full subcategory

(C loc) C . (C_{loc})^\circ \subset C^\circ \,.

Moreover, as we shall see, every object in CC is weakly equivalent in C locC_{loc} to one in C locC_{loc}: it reflects into C locC_{loc} .

Bousfield localization is a model category version of reflection onto local objects, in the sense discussed at reflective localization.

Indeed, the Quillen adjunction given by a left Bousfield localization under passage to the sub-category of fibrant-cofibrant objects becomes the inclusion of a reflective (∞,1)-subcategory

C loc lexC {C_{loc}}^\circ \stackrel{\stackrel{lex}{\leftarrow}}{\hookrightarrow} C^\circ

hence of a localization of an (∞,1)-category.

Such a localization is determined by the collection SS of local weak equivalences in CC, and alternatively by the collection of SS-local objects in CC. Indeed, C loc {C_{loc}}^\circ is the full (,1)(\infty,1)-subcategory on the cofibrant and fibrant and SS-local objects of CC.

Properties

Assume that the left Bousfield localization L SCL_S C of a given model category at a class SS of morphisms in CC exists. Then it has the following properties.

Fibrants in L SCL_S C are the SS-local fibrants in CC

Proposition

The fibrant objects in L SCL_S C are precisely the fibrant objects in CC that are SS-local.

Proof

To see this, we modify, if necessary, the set SS in a convenient way without changing the class W SW_S of SS-local weak equivalences that it defines.

Lemma We may add to SS any set of SS-local cofibrations without changing the collection of SS-local objects and hence without changing the collection of SS-local weak equivalences themselves. In particular, we may add to SS without changing W SW_S

  • all generating acyclic cofibrations of CC, i.e. JSJ \subset S;

  • for every original morphism f:ABf : A \to B in SS and for every nn \in \mathbb{N} also the canonical morphism

    f˜:(Q fAΔ n AΔ nBΔ n)BΔ n, \tilde f \;\colon\; \big( Q_f \coloneqq A \cdot \Delta^n \coprod_{A \cdot \partial \Delta^n} B \cdot \partial \Delta^n \big) \to B \cdot \Delta^n \,,

    where AΔ nA \cdot \Delta^n etc. denotes the tensoring of CC over SSet.

Proof of the Lemma

We discuss why these morphisms of the latter type are indeed SS-local cofibrations with cofibrant domain:

to see that f˜\tilde f is indeed a cofibration notice that for every commuting diagram

Q f X fib CW C BΔ n Y \array{ Q_f &\to& X \\ \downarrow && \downarrow^{\in \mathrlap{fib_C \cap W_C}} \\ B \cdot \Delta^n &\to& Y }

we get as components of the top morphism the left square of

Δ n C(B,X) C(B,Y) Δ n C(A,X) C(A,Y) \array{ \partial \Delta^n &\to& C(B,X) &\to& C(B,Y) \\ \downarrow && \downarrow && \downarrow \\ \Delta^n &\to& C(A,X) &\to& C(A,Y) }

and similarly the components of the bottom morphism consitute a morphism Δ nC(B,X)\Delta^n \to C(B,X) which by the commutativity of the original square is a lift of the outer diagram here. The top left triangle of this lift in turn gives a square

Δ n C(B,X) cof SSetW SSet fib SSet Δ n C(A,X). \array{ \partial \Delta^n &\to& C(B,X) \\ \downarrow^{\mathllap{\in cof_{SSet} \cap W_{SSet}\quad}} && \quad \downarrow^{\in fib_{SSet}} \\ \Delta^n &\to& C(A,X) } \,.

So this last diagram has a lift (Δ nC(B,X))(\Delta^n \to C(B,X)) and this is adjunct to the lift BΔ nXB \cdot \Delta^n \to X of the original lifting problem that we are looking for.

Therefore f˜:Q fBΔ n\tilde f : Q_f \to B \cdot \Delta^n is indeed a cofibration.

Notice that in these arguments we made use of

Next, again using the Quillen bifunctor property of the tensoring of CC over SSet we find that with AA cofibrant in CC and Δ n\Delta^n being cofibrant in SSet it follows that AΔ nA \cdot \Delta^n is cofibrant; similarly for the other cases. The coproduct of two cofibrant objects is cofibrant because cofibrations are preserved under pushout. Therefore Q fQ_f is indeed a cofibrant domain of our cofibration.

With f˜\tilde f being a cofibration, we can check SS-locality by homming into fibrant SS-local objects and checking if that produces an acyclic Kan fibration.

So let XX be a fibrant and SS-local object of CC. Homming the defining pushout diagram for Q fQ_f into XX produces the pullback diagram

[Δ n,[A,X]] W [Δ n,[B,X]] fib [Δ n,[A,X]] W [AΔ n AΔ nBΔ n,X] W [BΔ n,X] \array{ [\partial \Delta^n,[A,X]] &\stackrel{\in W}{\leftarrow}& [\partial \Delta^n, [B,X]] \\ \uparrow^{\mathrlap{\in fib}} && \uparrow \\ [\Delta^n,[A,X]] &\stackrel{\in W}{\leftarrow}& [A \cdot \Delta^n \coprod_{A \cdot \partial \Delta^n} B \cdot \partial \Delta^n, X] \\ &{}_{\in W}\nwarrow&& \nwarrow \\ &&&& [B \cdot \Delta^n, X] }

in SSet. Here the top and the lowest morphisms are weak equivalences by the fact that [B,X][A,X][B,X] \to [A,X] is an acyclic Kan fibration by the characterization of SS-local cofibrations and the fact that SSet is an SSet-enriched model category. Similarly for the fibration on the left, which implies by right properness of SSet that the bottom horizontal morphism is a weak equivalence, which finally implies by 2-out-of-3 that the morphism in question is a weak equivalence.

end of the proof of the lemma

This shows that we can assume that SS contain the generating acyclic cofibrations and the morphism called f˜\tilde f.

As usual, we say that given a set of morphisms SS and an object XX that XX has the extension property with respect to SS if every diagram

A X S B * \array{ A &\to& X \\ \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in S}} && \downarrow \\ B &\to& {*} }

has a lift.

We claim now that the the objects of CC that have the extension property with respect to our set SS are precisely the fibrant and SS-local objects. The argument proceeds along the same lines as the proof of the above lemma.

In one direction, if XX that has the extension property with respect to SS it has it in particular with respect to the generating acyclic cofibrations JSJ \subset S and hence is fibrant, and it, in particular, has the extension property with respect to f˜:AΔ n AΔ nBΔ nBΔ n\tilde f : A \cdot \Delta^n \coprod_{A \cdot \partial \Delta^n} B \cdot \partial \Delta^n \to B \cdot \Delta^n. Observe that by the pushout definition of Q fQ_f a morphism

Q fX Q_f \to X

consists of two component maps (AΔ nX)(A \cdot \Delta^n \to X) and (BΔ nX)(B \cdot \partial \Delta^n \to X) such that

Δ n C(B,X) Δ n C(A,X), \array{ \partial \Delta^n &\to& C(B,X) \\ \downarrow && \downarrow \\ \Delta^n &\to& C(A,X) } \,,

and in terms of this a lift

Q f X BΔ n \array{ Q_f &\to& X \\ \downarrow & \nearrow_{\exists} \\ B \cdot \Delta^n }

consists of a lift

Δ n C(B,X) Δ n C(A,X). \array{ \partial \Delta^n &\to& C(B,X) \\ \downarrow &\nearrow_\exists & \downarrow \\ \Delta^n &\to& C(A,X) } \,.

Since {Δ nΔ n|n}\{\partial \Delta^n \to \Delta^n | n \in \mathbb{N}\} are the generating acylic fibrations in the standard model structure on simplicial sets, this shows the extension property of SS with respect to all f˜\tilde f means that all C(s,X):C(B,X)C(A,X)C(s,X) : C(B,X) \to C(A,X) are acyclic Kan fibrations.

Conversely, if XX is fibrant and SS-local, then for all ABA \to B in SS the map [B,X][A,X][B,X] \to [A,X] in SSetSSet is an acyclic Kan fibration hence in particular its underlying map of sets Hom C(B,X)Hom C(A,X)Hom_C(B,X) \to Hom_C(A,X) is a surjection, so XX has the extension property.

Now every fibrant object XX in L SWL_S W has the extension property with respect to cof CW Scof_C \cap W_S hence in particular with respect to Scof cW SS \subset cof_c \cap W_S, so is SS-local and fibrant in CC.

Conversely, if it is SS-local and fibrant in CC; then, as mentioned before, for all fcof CW Sf \in cof_C \cap W_S the map [f,X][f,X] is an acyclic Kan fibration in SSet so that in particular Hom C(f,X)Hom_C(f,X) is a surjection, which means that XX has the extension property with respect to all ff and is hence fibrant in L SCL_S C.

Fibrant replacement in L SWL_S W – localization of objects

If SS is a small set, we may apply the small object argument to SS. If we apply it to factor all morphisms X*X \to {*} to the terminal object we obtain a functorial factorization componentwise of the form

Xη Xcell(S)W STXinj(S)*. X \stackrel{\eta_X \in cell(S)\subset W_S}{\to} T X \stackrel{inj(S)}{\to} {*} \,.

We had remarked already in the previous argument that objects with the extension property relative to SS, i.e. objects whose morphism to the terminal object is in inj(S)inj(S), are fibrant as well as SS-local in CC.

Therefore TT is in particular a fibrant approximation functor in L SWL_S W and η S\eta_S is the weak equivalence

η S:X W STX \eta_S : X \stackrel{\simeq_{W_S}}{\to} T X

in L SCL_S C relating an object to its fibrant approximation.

More precisely:

Proposition

Let

𝒞 locidid𝒞 \mathcal{C}_{loc} \underoverset {\underset{id}{\longrightarrow}} {\overset{id}{\longleftarrow}} {\bot} \mathcal{C}

be a Quillen adjunction which exhibits a left Bousfield localization of model categories, and assume that 𝒞 loc\mathcal{C}_{loc} admits functorial factorization (for instance if 𝒞\mathcal{C} is a combinatorial model category, whence 𝒞 loc\mathcal{C}_{loc} is, then via the small object argument), hence in particular a fibrant replacement natural transformation

()() fib. (-) \longrightarrow (-)^{fib} \,.

Then the derived adjunction unit, i.e. the adjunction unit η der\eta^{der} of adjoint pair of the derived functors on the homotopy category (as discussed there)

Ho(𝒞 loc)Ho(𝒞) Ho(\mathcal{C}_{loc}) \underoverset {\underset{}{\hookrightarrow}} {\overset{}{\longleftarrow}} {\bot} Ho(\mathcal{C})

is isomorphic to the image of the fibrant replacement morphism in 𝒞 loc\mathcal{C}_{loc}:

η X der(XX fib), \eta^{der}_X \simeq \ell(X \to X^{fib}) \,,

where :𝒞 locHo(𝒞 loc)\ell \;\colon\; \mathcal{C}_{loc} \to Ho(\mathcal{C}_{loc})\; is the localization functor (as discussed at homotopy category of a model category).

Proof

First consider the general prescription (from homotopy category of a model category) of computing the right (left) derived functors by applying the Quillen functors to fibrant (cofibrant) replacements, where we apply the fibrant replacement functorially also to the non-cofibrantly replaced object:

Let

𝒞RL𝒟 \mathcal{C} \underoverset {\underset{R}{\longrightarrow}} {\overset{L}{\longleftarrow}} {\bot} \mathcal{D}

be a general Quillen adjunction betwen model categories which admit functorial factorization.

Let X𝒟X \in \mathcal{D} be any object. First consider a cofibrant replacement

X cof WFib X. \array{ X_{cof} \\ \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in \mathrm{W} \cap Fib}} \\ X } \,.

Then apply LL to this

L(X cof) L(X). \array{ L(X_{cof}) \\ \downarrow^{} \\ L(X) } \,.

Then apply fibrant replacement functorially

L(X cof) WCof (L(X cof)) fib L(X) WCof (L(X)) fib. \array{ L(X_{cof}) &\overset{\in W \cap Cof}{\longrightarrow}& (L(X_{cof}))^{fib} \\ \downarrow^{} && \downarrow \\ L(X) &\underset{\in W \cap Cof}{\longrightarrow}& (L(X))^{fib} } \,.

Then apply RR

RL(X cof) R(LX cof) fib RLX R((LX) fib) \array{ R L (X_{cof}) &\overset{}{\longrightarrow}& R (L X_{cof})^{fib} \\ \downarrow^{\mathrlap{}} && \downarrow \\ R L X &\underset{}{\longrightarrow}& R((L X)^{fib}) }

Finally, precompose with the ordinary adjunction unit. The derived adjunction unit is now modeled by the top composite morphism in the following diagram:

X cof η X cof RL(X cof) R(jWCof) R(LX cof) fib WFib X η X RLX R((LX) fib). \array{ X_{cof} &\overset{\eta_{X_{cof}}}{\longrightarrow}& R L (X_{cof}) &\overset{R (j \in W \cap Cof)}{\longrightarrow}& R (L X_{cof})^{fib} \\ \downarrow && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in W \cap Fib}} && \downarrow \\ X &\underset{\eta_X}{\longrightarrow}& R L X &\underset{}{\longrightarrow}& R((L X)^{fib}) } \,.

Now in the special case that (LR)(L \dashv R) is a left Bousfield localization of model categories, then as plain categories 𝒟=𝒞\mathcal{D} = \mathcal{C} and as plain functors L=idL = id and R=idR = id are trivial and so in this special case the derived adjunction unit is modeled simply by the top morphism in the following diagram

X cof Cof (X cof) fib WFib WFib X WCof X fib. \array{ X_{cof} &\overset{\in Cof}{\longrightarrow}& (X_{cof})^{fib} \\ {}^{\mathllap{\in W \cap Fib}}\downarrow && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in W \cap Fib}} \\ X &\underset{\in W Cof}{\longrightarrow}& X^{fib} } \,.

But now since the vertical morphisms are weak equivalences, this means that already the fibrant replacement XX fibX \to X^{fib} is isomorphic, in the homotopy category, to the derived adjunction unit, i.e. applying the localization \ell to the above diagram in 𝒞\mathcal{C} yields the diagram

𝓁(X cof) η X der 𝓁((X cof) fib) 𝓁(X) 𝓁(X fib). \array{ \mathcal{l}(X_{cof}) &\overset{\eta^{der}_X}{\longrightarrow}& \mathcal{l}((X_{cof})^{fib}) \\ {}^{\simeq}\downarrow && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\simeq}} \\ \mathcal{l}(X) &\underset{}{\longrightarrow}& \mathcal{l}(X^{fib}) } \,.

SS-local weak equivalences between SS-local objects are weak equivalences

Proposition

The SS-local weak equivalences between SS-local fibrant objects are precisely the original weak equivalences between these objects.

Proof

Consider the full subcategory Ho S(C)Ho(C)Ho_S(C) \subset Ho(C) of the homotopy category of CC on the SS-local objects. The image of an SS-local weak equivalence f:ABf : A \to B in there satisfies for every object XX in there that Hom Ho S(C)(f,X)Hom_{Ho_S(C)}(f,X) is an isomorphism. By the Yoneda lemma this implies that ff is an isomorphism in Ho S(C)Ho_S(C). Since that is a full subcategory, it follows that ff is also an isomorphism in Ho(C)Ho(C). But that means precisely that it is a weak equivalence in CC.

It follows that also the fibrations between local objects remain the same:

Proposition

Consider a left Bousfield localization with functorial factorization (e.g. of a combinatorial model category, via the small object argument).

Then if X,YFib locX, Y \in Fib_{loc} are local objects, a morphism p:XYp \colon X\longrightarrow Y between them is a fibration with respect to the local model structure precisely already if it is a fibration with respect to the original model structure.

Proof

From remark we already know that Fib locFibFib_{loc} \subset Fib, generally. Hence we need to show that if pFibp \in Fib with XX and YY local, then pFib locp \in Fib_{loc}.

So given a lifting problem of the form

A f XFib loc W locCof Fib B g YFib loc \array{ A &\overset{f}{\longrightarrow}& X \mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}} \\ {}^{\mathllap{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof}}\downarrow && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in Fib}} \\ B &\underset{g}{\longrightarrow}& Y \mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}} }

we need to exhibit a lift. (In labeling the arrows we use throughout that Cof loc=CofCof_{loc} = Cof.)

By assumption of functorial factorization we may factor this diagram as follows:

A W locCof A^ Fib loc XFib loc W locCof Fib B W locCof B^ Fib loc YFib loc \array{ A &\overset{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof }{\longrightarrow}& \widehat{A} &\overset{\in Fib_{loc}}{\longrightarrow}& X \mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}} \\ {}^{\mathllap{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof}} \downarrow && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{ }} && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in Fib}} \\ B &\underset{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof}{\longrightarrow}& \widehat{B} &\underset{ \in Fib_{loc} }{\longrightarrow}& Y \mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}} }

It follows that A^,B^Fib loc\widehat{A}, \widehat{B} \in Fib_{loc}.

Consider next the further factorization of the middle vertical morphism as W locCofFib loc\overset{W_{loc} \cap Cof}{\longrightarrow} \overset{\in Fib_{loc}}{\longrightarrow}

A W locCof A^ Fib loc XFib loc id WCof Fib A A^^ Y W locCof Fib loc id B W locCof B^ Fib loc YFib loc \array{ A &\overset{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof }{\longrightarrow}& \widehat{A} &\overset{\in Fib_{loc}}{\longrightarrow}& X \mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}} \\ {}^{\mathllap{id}}\downarrow && {}^{\mathllap{\in W \cap Cof}}\downarrow && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in Fib}} \\ A &\longrightarrow& \widehat{\widehat{A}} &\longrightarrow& Y \\ {}^{\mathllap{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof}}\downarrow && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}}} && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{id}} \\ B &\underset{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof}{\longrightarrow}& \widehat{B} &\underset{ \in Fib_{loc} }{\longrightarrow}& Y \mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}} }

Since it follows that A^,A^^Fib loc\widehat A, \widehat{\widehat A} \in Fib_{loc} we invoke prop. to conclude that the top middle morphism is not just in W locCofW_{loc} \cap Cof but indeed in WCofW \cap Cof, as shown. This means that we have lifting in the top right square. Moreover, we also evidently have lifting in the bottom left square.

A W locCof A^ Fib loc XFib loc id WCof Fib A A^^ Y W locCof Fib loc id B W locCof B^ Fib loc YFib loc \array{ A &\overset{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof }{\longrightarrow}& \widehat{A} &\overset{\in Fib_{loc}}{\longrightarrow}& X \mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}} \\ {}^{\mathllap{id}}\downarrow && {}^{\mathllap{\in W \cap Cof}}\downarrow &{}^{\mathllap{\exists}}\nearrow& \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in Fib}} \\ A &\longrightarrow& \widehat{\widehat{A}} &\longrightarrow& Y \\ {}^{\mathllap{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof}}\downarrow &{}^{\mathllap{\exists}}\nearrow& \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}}} && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{id}} \\ B &\underset{\in W_{loc} \cap Cof}{\longrightarrow}& \widehat{B} &\underset{ \in Fib_{loc} }{\longrightarrow}& Y \mathrlap{\in Fib_{loc}} }

Together, these lifts constitute the desired total lift.

Every Bousfield localization is of this form

We have considered two definitions of left Bousfield localization: in the first we just required that cofibrations are kept and weak equivalences are increased. In the second we more specifically took the weak equivalences to be SS-local weak equivalences.

We now show that every localization in the first sense is indeed of the second kind if we demand that both the original and the localized category are left proper, cofibrantly generated simplicial model categories.

Proposition

In the context of left proper, cofibrantly generated simplicial model categories,

for C locC_{loc} a left Bousfield localization of CC (i.e. a structure with the same cofibrations as CC and more weak equivalences), there is a set SMor(C)S \subset Mor(C) such that

C loc=L SC. C_{loc} = L_S C \,.
Proof

We show that choosing S=J C locS = J_{C_{loc}} to be the set of generating acyclic cofibrations does the trick.

First, the cofibrations of C locC_{loc} and L SCL_S C coincide. Moreover, the acyclic cofibrations of L SCL_S C contain all the acyclic cofibrations of C locC_{loc} because

cof L SCW L SC=llp(rlp(J L SC))llp(rlp(S))=llp(rlp(J C loc)). cof_{L_S C} \cap W_{L_S C} = llp(rlp(J_{L_S C})) \subset llp(rlp(S)) = llp(rlp(J_{C_{loc}})) \,.

It remains to show that, conversely, every acyclic cofibration f:XYf : X \to Y in L SCL_S C is an acyclic cofibration in C locC_{loc}.

Choose a cofibrant replacement for XX and YY

X cof C Y W C W C X f Y \array{ X' &\stackrel{\in cof_C}{\to}& Y' \\ \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in W_C}} && \downarrow^{\mathrlap{\in W_C}} \\ X &\stackrel{f}{\to}& Y }

Then by 2-out-of-3 and since W L SCW CW_{L_S C} \supset W_C the morphism f:XYf' : X' \to Y' is still an acyclic cofibration on L SCL_S C. Again by 2-out-of-3 and since W C locW CW_{C_{loc}} \supset W_C, it is sufficient to show that ff' is an acyclic cofibration in C locC_{loc}.

To show that it is an acyclic cofibration in C locC_{loc} it suffices to show that for every fibrant object ZC locZ \in C_{loc} the morphism

C(Y,Z)C(X,Z) C(Y',Z) \to C(X',Z)

is a trivial fibration. Either by assumption or by the characterization of S-local cofibrations this is the case if ZZ is SS-local and fibrant in CC. The first statement is one of the direct consequences of the definition of C locC_{loc} and the second follows because S=J C locS = J_{C_{loc}}.

Functoriality of localization

Proposition

Let CC and DD be categories for which left Bousfield localization exists, and let

(LR):CRLD (L \dashv R) : C \stackrel{\overset{L}{\leftarrow}}{\underset{R}{\to}} D

be a Quillen equivalence. Then for every small set SMor(D)S \subset Mor(D) there is an induced Quillen equivalence of left Bousfield localizations

(LR):C L(S)RLD S. (L \dashv R) : C_{L(S)} \stackrel{\overset{L}{\leftarrow}}{\underset{R}{\to}} D_{S} \,.

This is due to Hirschhorn (2002).

Further properties

Proposition (Bousfield localization is indeed a localization)

If the left Bousfield localization exists, i.e. L SCL_S C is indeed a model category with the above definitions of cofibrations and weak equivalences, then it is indeed a localization of a model category in that there is a left Quillen functor

j:CL SC j \colon C \to L_S C

(i.e. jj preserves cofibrations and trivial cofibrations and has a right adjoint)

such that the total left derived functor

Lj:HoCHoL SC L j \colon Ho C \to Ho L_S C

takes the images of SMor(C)S \subset Mor(C) in Ho(C)Ho(C) to isomorphisms

and every other left Quillen functor with this property factors by a unique left Quillen functor through jj.

Moreover, the identity functor Id CId_C on the underlying category is a Quillen adjunction

Id C:L SCC:Id C Id_C : L_S C \stackrel{\leftarrow }{\to} C : Id_C

(and is itself a localization functor).

Proof

The first part is theorem 3.3.19 in Hirschhorn (2002). The second part is prop 3.3.4, which follows directly from the following proposition.

Existence of localizations for combinatorial model categories

We discuss the existence of left Bousfield localization in the context of combinatorial model categories [Barwick (2010), Prop. 2.2 (Thm. 2.11 in preprint)].

A similar existence result is available in the context of cellular model categories [Hirschhorn (2002)], but for the combinatorial case a somewhat better theory is available.

By the corollary to Dugger's theorem on presentations for combinatorial model categories we have that every combinatorial model category is Quillen equivalent to a left proper simplicial combinatorial model category.

Therefore there is little loss in assuming this extra structure, which the following statement of the theorem does.

Theorem

If CC is a

model category

  • and SMor(C)S \subset Mor(C) is a small set of morphisms,

then the left Bousfield localization L SCL_S C does exist as a combinatorial model category.

Moreover, it satisfies the following conditions:

(Without the assumption or conclusion of simplicial enrichment, this is Barwick (2010), Prop. 2.2 (Thm. 2.11 in preprint), see also Beke (2000), Thm. 1.7, Prop. 1.15 & 1.19).

Proof

A proof of this making use of Jeff Smith’s recognition theorem for combinatorial model categories appears as HTT, prop. A.3.7.3 and as theorem 2.11 in Bar07 and as theorem 4.7 in Bar.

We follow Bar for the proof that the assumptions of Smith’s recognition theorem are satisfied and follow HTT, prop. A.3.7.3 for the characterization of the fibrant objects. The details are spelled out in the following subsections.

Prerequisites for the proof

The proof we give is self-contained, except that it builds on the following notions and facts.

Small objects

A cardinal number κ\kappa is regular if it is not the cardinality of a union of <κ\lt \kappa sets of size <κ\lt \kappa.

A poset JJ is a κ\kappa-directed set if all subsets of cardinality <κ\lt \kappa have a common upper bound. A κ\kappa-directed colimit is a colimit lim F\lim_\to F over a functor F:JCF : J \to C.

An object XX in a category CC is a κ\kappa-compact object if C(X,):CCC(X,-) : C \to C commutes with all κ\kappa-directed colimits. For λ>κ\lambda \gt \kappa every κ\kappa-compact object is also λ\lambda-compact.

This means that a morphism from a κ\kappa-compact object into an object that is a κ\kappa-directed colimit over component objects always lifts to one of these component objects.

An object is a small object if it is κ\kappa-compact for some κ\kappa.

A locally small but possibly non-small category CC is an accessible category if it has a small sub-set of generating κ\kappa-compact objects such that every other object is a κ\kappa-directed colimit over such generators.

If such a category has all small colimits, it is called a locally presentable category.

In particular, in a locally presentable category the small object argument for factoring of morphisms applies with respect to every set of morphisms.

Combinatorial model categories

A combinatorial model category is a locally presentable category that is equipped with a cofibrantly generated model category structure. So in particular there is a set of generating (acyclic) cofibrations that map between small objects.

Smith’s recognition theorem says that a locally presentable category has a combinatorial model category structure already if it has weak equivalences and generating cofibrations satisfying a simple condition and if weak equivalences form an accessible subcategory of the arrow category. This means that only two thirds of the data for a generic combinatorial model category needs to be checked and greatly facilitates checking model category structures.

Dugger’s theorem implies that every combinatorial model category is Quillen equivalent to a left proper simplicial combinatorial model category.

So we may assume without much restriction of generality that we are dealing with the localization of a left proper combinatorial simplicial model category.

Since the small object argument applies, a combinatorial model category has fibrant- and cofibrant-replacement functors P,Q:CCP,Q : C \to C (functorial factorization).

By the axioms of an enriched model category it follows that the functor

RHom CC(Q(),P()):C op×CSSet \mathbf{R}Hom_C \coloneqq C(Q(-),P(-)): C^{op} \times C \to SSet

takes values in Kan complexes. This is called the derived hom space functor of CC: we think of RHom(X,Y)\mathbf{R}Hom(X,Y) as the ∞-groupoid of maps from XX to YY, homotopies of maps, homotopies of homotopies, etc.

Local objects

An ordinary reflective subcategory C loc]TCC_{loc} \stackrel{\stackrel{T}{\leftarrow]}}{\hookrightarrow} C is specified by the preimages S=T 1(isos)S = T^{-1}(isos) of the isomorphisms under TT as the full subcategory on the SS-local objects XX: those such that Hom C(AsSB,X)Hom_C(A \stackrel{s \in S}{\to}B, X) are isomorphisms.

The analogous statement in the context of model categories uses the derived hom space functor instead: given a collection SMor(C)S \subset Mor(C) an object XX is called an SS-local object if RHom C(AsSB,X)\mathbf{R}Hom_C(A \stackrel{s \in S}{\to} B, X) are weak equivalences.

Similarly, the collection W SW_S of morphisms f:EFf : E \to F such that for all SS-local objects XX RHom C(f,X)\mathbf{R}Hom_C(f,X) is a weak equivalence is called the collection of SS-local weak equivalences.

A lemma by Lurie says that for AsSBA \stackrel{s \in S}{\hookrightarrow} B a cofibration and XX fibrant, XX is SS-local precisely if C(s,X):C(B,X)C(A,X)C(s,X) : C(B,X) \to C(A,X) is an acyclic Kan fibration. This helps identifying the SS-local fibrant objects.

Homotopy (co)limits

In an ordinary category, a limit diagram is one such that applying Hom C(X,):CCHom_C(X,-) : C \to C to it produces a limit diagram in Set, for all objects XX. Similarly a colimit diagram is one sent to Set-limits under all Hom C(,X)Hom_C(-,X).

In a model category, this has an analog with respect to the derived hom space functor RHom C\mathbf{R}Hom_C. A homotopy limit diagram is one sent by all RHom C(,X)\mathbf{R}Hom_C(-,X) to a homotopy limit (…). Similarly for homotopy colimits.

Sometimes ordinary (co)limits in a model category are already also homotopy colimits:

Since these are the two operations under which cell(cof cW C)cell(cof_c \cap W_C) is closed, this facilitates finding this closure given that by the above the elements of cof CW Scof_C \cap W_S are characterized by their images under RHom C(,X)\mathbf{R}Hom_C(-,X) for SS-local XX.

Size issues

The following proof uses the small object argument several times. In particular, at one point it is applied relative to the collection SS of morphisms at which we localize. It is at this point that we need that assumption that SS is indeed a (small) set, and not a proper class.

For the small object argument itself, this requirement comes from the fact that it involves colimits indexed by SS. These won’t in general exist if SS is not a set.

The collection of SS-local weak equivalences W SW_S, however, won’t be a small set in general even if SS is. But for Smith’s recognition theorem to apply we need to check that the full subcategory of Arr(C)Arr(C) on W SW_S is, while not small, accessible.

To establish this we need two properties of accessible categories: the inverse image of an accessible subcategory under a functor is accessible, and the collections of fibrations, weak equivalences and acyclic fibrations in a combinatorial model category are accessible.

The proof itself

Beginning of the proof of the existence of the left Bousfield localization of a left proper combinatorial simplicial model category at a set SS of morphisms.

Recognition of the combinatorial model structure

Using Smith’s recognition theorem, for establishing the combinatorial model category structure, it is sufficient to

  • exhibit a set II of cofibrations of L SCL_S C such that inj(I)W L SCinj(I) \subset W_{L_S C} and such that cof(I)W L SCcof(I) \cap W_{L_S C} is closed under pushout and transfinite composition.

  • check that the weak equivalences form an accessibly embedded accessible subcategory.

For the first item choose II CI \coloneqq I_C with I CI_C any set of generating cofibrations of CC, that exists by assumption on CC. Then inj(I)=inj(I C)=fib CW CW CW L SCinj(I) = inj(I_C) = fib_C \cap W_C \subset W_C \subset W_{L_S C}.

It remains to demonstrate closure of cof(I)W L SC=cof CW L SCcof(I) \cap W_{L_S C} = cof_C \cap W_{L_S C} under pushout and transfinite composition.

One elegant way to see this, following Bar, is to notice that the relevant ordinary colimits all happen to be homotopy colimits:

By their definition in terms of the derived hom space functor, SS-local weak equivalences in CC are preserved under homotopy colimits:

for KLK \stackrel{}{\to}L an SS-local morphism – a morphism in W L SCW_{L_S C} – and for

K S L K L \array{ K &\stackrel{\simeq_S}{\to}& L \\ \downarrow && \downarrow \\ K' &\to& L' }

a homotopy pushout diagram, we have (by the universal property of homotopy limits) for every object ZZ – in particular for every every SS-local object ZZ – a homotopy pullback

RHom(L,Z) RHom(K,Z) RHom(L,Z) RHom(K,Z), \array{ \mathbf{R}Hom(L',Z) &\to& \mathbf{R}Hom(K',Z) \\ \downarrow && \downarrow \\ \mathbf{R}Hom(L,Z) &\stackrel{\simeq}{\to}& \mathbf{R}Hom(K,Z) } \,,

of \infty-groupoids. where the bottom morphism is a weak equivalence by assumption of SS-locality of ZZ and (KL)(K \to L). But then also the top horizontal morphism is a weak equivalence for all SS-local ZZ and therefore KLK' \to L' is in W L SCW_{L_S C}.

Similarly for transfinite composition colimits.

Therefore, indeed, cof(I)W L SCcof(I) \cap W_{L_S C} is closed under pushouts and transfinite composition.

Accessibility of the SS-local weak equivalences

For the Smith recognition theorem to apply we still have to check that the SS-local weak equivalences W SW_S span an accessible full subcategory Arr S(C)Arr(S)Arr_S(C) \subset Arr(S) of the arrow category of CC.

By the general properties of accessible categories for that it is sufficient to exhibit Arr S(C)Arr_S(C) as the inverse image of under functor T:Arr S(C)Arr(C)T : Arr_S(C) \hookrightarrow Arr(C) of the accessible category Arr W(C)Arr_W(C) spanned by ordinary weak equivalences in CC.

That functor we take to be the SS-local fibrant replacement functor from above

T:(XY)(TXTfTY). T : (X \to Y) \mapsto (T X \stackrel{T f}{\to} T Y) \,.

By one of the above propositions, SS-local weak equivalence between SS-local objects are precisely the ordinary weak equivalences. This means that the inverse image under TT of the weak equivalences in CC are all SS-local weak equivalences

T 1(Arr W C(C)=Arr S(C). T^{-1}(Arr_{W_C}(C) = Arr_S(C) \,.

Therefore this is an accessible category.

End of the proof of the existence of the left Bousfield localization of a left proper combinatorial simplicial model category at a set SS of morphisms.

Further properties

Lemma (localization at cofibrations is sufficient)

Every combinatorial localization B=L RAB = L_{R} A of AA is already of the form L SAL_{S}A for SS a set of just cofibrations.

Proof

See HTT, prop. A.3.7.4

We demonstrate that SJ BS \coloneqq J_B does the trick.

Using large cardinal axioms

If one assumes large cardinal axioms then the existence of Bousfield localization follows much more generally.

Theorem

Vopěnka's principle implies the statement:

Let CC be a left proper combinatorial model category and ZMor(C)Z \in Mor(C) a class of morphisms. Then the left Bousfield localization L ZWL_Z W exists.

This is theorem 2.3 in (RosickyTholen).

Existence of localizations for tractable ennriched model categories

The above statement is generalized to the context of enriched model category theory by the following result:

Theorem (existence of enriched Bousfield localization)

Let

(all with respect to a fixed Grothendieck universe).

Then the left enriched Bousfield localization L S/VCL_{S/V} C does exist and is left proper and tractable.

This is (Barwick 2007a, theorem 4.46).

Examples and Applications

Categories to which the general existence theorem applies

The following model categories CC are left proper cellular/combinatorial, so that the above theorem applies and for every set SMor(C)S \subset Mor(C) the Bousfield localization L SCL_S C does exist.

If CC is a left proper (simplicial) cellular model category, then so is

At derived idempotent monads

The Bousfield-Friedlander theorem gives Bousfield localizations at the derived functor-version of idempotent monads.

See there for more examples of this general construction.

Localization of spectra

see Bousfield localization of spectra

Local model structure on presheaves

Left Bousfield localization produces the local model structure on homotopical presheaves. For instance the local model structure on simplicial presheaves.

Relation to other concepts

Locally presentable (,1)(\infty,1)-categories

As described at presentable (∞,1)-category, an (∞,1)-category C\mathbf{C} is presentable precisely if, as an simplicially enriched category, it arises as the full subcategory of fibrant-cofibrant objects of a combinatorial simplicial model category.

The proof of this proceeds via Bousfield localization, and effectively exhibits Bousfield localization as the procedure that models localization of an (∞,1)-category when (,1)(\infty,1)-categories are modeled by model categories.

For notice that

  1. a presentable (,1)(\infty,1)-category C\mathbf{C} is one arising as the localization

    CS 1Funct(K,Grpd)=S 1PSh (,1)(K) \mathbf{C} \simeq S^{-1} Funct(K,\infty Grpd) = S^{-1}PSh_{(\infty,1)}(K)

    of an (∞,1)-category of (∞,1)-presheaves

  2. every (∞,1)-category of (∞,1)-presheaves PSh (,1)(K)([K,SSet] inj) PSh_{(\infty,1)}(K) \simeq ([K,SSet]_{inj})^\circ arises as the subcategory of fibrant-cofibrant objects of the global model structure on simplicial presheaves;

  3. in terms of the simplicial model category [K,SSet] inj[K,SSet]_{inj} the prescription for localization as an (∞,1)-category and passing to the subcategory of fibrant-cofibrant objects of the Bousfield localization L S[K,SSet] injL_S [K,SSet]_{inj} is literally the same: in both cases one passes to the full subcategory on the SS-local objects.

Moreover, by Dugger’s theorem on combinatorial model categories every combinatorial simplicial model category arises this way.

This is the argument of HTT, prop A.3.7.6.

This gives a good conceptual interpretation of Bousfield localization, since the localization of an (∞,1)-category is nothing but an adjunction

ClexD \mathbf{C} \stackrel{\stackrel{lex}{\leftarrow}}{\hookrightarrow} \mathbf{D}

that exhibits C\mathbf{C} as a reflective (∞,1)-subcategory of D\mathbf{D}.

So we find the diagram

Localization of (,1)(\infty,1)-presheaf categories

Sh (,1)(K) lex PSh (,1)(K) abstracthighercategoricaldef Luriestheorem ([K op,SSet] inj loc) Bousfieldloc. ([K op,SSet] inj) concreterealization. \array{ Sh_{(\infty,1)}(K) &\stackrel{\stackrel{lex}{\leftarrow}}{\hookrightarrow} & PSh_{(\infty,1)}(K) &&& abstract\;higher\;categorical\;def \\ \uparrow^{\simeq} && \uparrow^{\simeq} &&& Lurie's \;theorem \\ ([K^{op},SSet]_{inj}^{loc})^\circ &\stackrel{\stackrel{Bousfield\;loc.}{\leftarrow}} {\to}& ([K^{op},SSet]_{inj})^\circ &&& concrete\;realization } \,.

Here () (-)^\circ denotes passing to the full simplicially enriched subcategory on the fibrant-cofibrant objects, regarding that as an (∞,1)-category. (If one wants to regard that as a quasi-category, then () (-)^\circ also involves taking the homotopy coherent nerve of this simplicially enriched category.)

Localization of triangulated categories

There is also a notion of Bousfield localization of triangulated categories.

Under suitable conditions it should be true that for CC a model category whose homotopy category Ho(C)Ho(C) is a triangulated category the homotopy category of a left Bousfield localization of CC is the left Bousfield localization of Ho(C)Ho(C). See this answer on MO.

References

General

The original article:

Detailed discussion (including existence results for left proper cellular model categories):

Existence results for (plain an enriched) combinatorial model categories:

see also

and specifically for combinatorial simplicial model categories:

The relation to localization of an (infinity,1)-category is also in Higher Topos Theory, for the time being see discussion at models for ∞-stack (∞,1)-toposes.

On right Bousfield localization:

The relation to Vopěnka's principle:

Bousfield localization specifically for stable model categories (such as model structures on spectra):

Comprehensive review:

Monoidal case

On monoidal Bousfield localization of monoidal model categories:

Last revised on December 28, 2023 at 21:44:42. See the history of this page for a list of all contributions to it.