String Operations for Manifolds Using Radial Slit Configurations

These are notes for a lecture at the University of Lille. These discuss a method to construct higher string operations for manifolds. This method is based on Godin’s construction, but replaces the geometric realistion of a category of decorated ribbon graphs by Bödigheimer’s radial slit configurations model for the moduli space of Riemann surfaces with boundary. This significantly simplifies the construction and gives on a method to approach compactified string topology. I would like to thank the University of Lille and in particular David Chataur for their hospitality in allowing me to present my research. I’d also like to thank Ralph Cohen, Kate Poirier, Ieke Moerdijk and Urs Schreiber for allowing me to discuss this research with them.