text:
# Noncommutative two-dimensional topological field theories and Hurwitz numbers for real algebraic curves

## 1. Introduction

The notion of a (closed) topological field theory was introduced in  (see also ). According to , a topological field theory (TFT) in dimension $`d`$ is defined by the following data:

$`(A)`$ A finite dimensional vector space $`Z(\mathrm{\Sigma })`$ for each oriented closed smooth $`d`$-dimensional manifold $`\mathrm{\Sigma }`$,

$`(B)`$ An element $`Z(M)Z(M)`$, associated to each oriented smooth $`(d+1)`$-dimensional manifold (with boundary) $`M`$,

and by axioms, ensuring the topological invariance of these data.

TFTs play important role both in pure mathematics and in mathematical physics. In particular, closed two-dimensional (2D) topological field theories and their generalizations are used in string theory and D-brane theory , G-flux and K-theories , WZW, G/G and CS theories .

In this work we consider not necessarily closed $`2D`$ TFTs. For $`2D`$ closed TFT we have that:

$`(A)`$ $`\mathrm{\Sigma }`$ is a closed contour and $`A=Z(\mathrm{\Sigma })`$ is a vector space, the same for all contours,

$`(B)`$ $`Z(\mathrm{\Omega })Z(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ is a tensor on $`A`$ associated to each oriented smooth surface with boundary and depending on topological type of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ only.

Contracting boundary contours of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ to points, we can transform surfaces with boundary to surfaces without boundary, but with special points. Thus, we can consider a closed TFT as a functor from category of oriented surfaces without boundary, but with special poins into a category of tensors on $`A`$ . (A valency of the tensor is the number of the special poins). The axioms of the classical closed TFT are easily translated to this language.

Replasing in this definition oriented surfaces without boundary by arbitrary compact surfaces, we obtain some generalisation of the closed $`2D`$ TFTs, that we call a Klein topological field theory (KTFT). It is the main subject of this paper.

Our KTFT resembles to a lattice TFT, where partition functions for triangulated surfaces are defined instead of a functor. An outline and a partial algebraic description of a lattice TFT was given in . A restriction of KTFT to oriented surfaces (possibly with boundaries) is equivalent to an open-closed TFT .

According to  (see also ), closed TFTs correspond bijectiely to commutative Frobenius algebras with a nondegenerate associative bilinear form. In  an algebraic object, corresponding to an open-closed TFT is constructed . In  this object is represented as an algebra with additional structures. (A certain algebraic interpretation of this algebra we call Lazaroiu-Moore algebra.) In  it is claimed (without a proof) that the correspondence between open-closed TFTs and these algebras is a bijection.

In this paper we define certain algebras with additional structures (structure algebras) and prove that Klein topological field theories bijectively correspond to structure algebras.

A structure algebra is an associative (typically noncommutative) algebra endowed with an invariant scalar product and three features: a decomposition into direct sum of a commutative subalgebra and an ideal (reflecting two kinds of special points, interior and boundary ones), an involutive antiautomorphism (reflecting the change of the local orientation at a special point), and an element $`U`$ (reflecting nonorientability of a surface). It is worth to note that KTFT gives an additional structure even for the category of orientable surfaces; it is an involutive antiautomorphism. This involutive antiautomorphism is missing in closed and open-closed TFTs, since it is not needed when an orientation of the surface is fixed.

A structure algebra without the involutive antiautomorphism and without the element $`U`$ is equivalent to a Lazaroiu-Moore algebra. It follow from our results that open-closed TFTs correspond bijectively to Lazaroiu-Moore algebras. Moreover, we prove that each semisimple Lazaroiu-Moore algebra has an extension to a structure algebra, and the number of such extensions is finite. In physics, semisimple KTFTs correspond to massive systems. Thus, each massive open-closed TFT is extended to a KTFT, and the number of such extensions is finite.

In the last part of the paper we apply the Klein topological field theories to study (generalized) Hurwitz numbers.

More than 100 years ago Hurwitz  raised the following problem. Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a complex algebraic curve of genus $`g`$, $`p_1,\mathrm{},p_m\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be pairwise distinct points and $`\alpha _1,\mathrm{},\alpha _m`$ be partitions of $`n`$ (decompositions of the number $`n`$ into unordered sums of positive integers). Denote by $`S(\alpha _1,\mathrm{},\alpha _m)`$ the set of classes of birational equivalence of morphisms $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of order $`n`$ from complex algebraic curves to $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, having critical values $`p_1,\mathrm{},p_m`$ such that local degrees of $`\pi `$ at points $`\pi ^1(p_i)`$ are $`\alpha _i(i=1,\mathrm{},m)`$. The problem is to compute the sum $`_{\pi S(\alpha _1,\mathrm{},\alpha _m)}\frac{1}{|Aut(\pi )|}`$, where $`|Aut(\pi )|`$ is the order of the group of automorphisms of a covering $`\pi `$. These sums are called (classical) Hurwitz numbers.

The generating function for Hurwitz numbers is the partition function for the $`2D`$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory . These numbers are connected with string theory , mirror symmetry , theory of singularities , matrix models  and integrable systems . There exist combinatorial, differential and integral formulas for the simplest of Hurwitz numbers. See, for example, .

According to , the classical Hurwitz numbers are correlators for a closed TFT. The Frofenius algebra of this TFT is the Frobenius algebra of the symmetric group. Such approach gives an effective method for calculation of the classical Hurwitz numbers .

In this paper we extend the definition of Hurwitz numbers to real algebraic curves. Moreover, our (generalized) Hurwitz numbers include classical Hurwitz numbers as a particular case. Hurwitz numbers of real algebraic curves are important for string theory and supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory.. Some special cases of them were investigated in .

We prove that the generalized Hurwitz numbers are correlators for a KTFT. Moreover, the structure algebra of this KTFT is the structure algebra of the symmetric group. This gives an effective method for the calculation of generalized Hurwitz numbers.

The paper is organized as follows.

In section 2 we give an algebraic background for a Klein topological field theory, developed in section 4 . We give (subsection 2.1) an axiomatic definition of structure algebras and describe them by a set of structural constants and relations. (These relations will be interpreted geometricaly in sections 3 and 4.) In subsection 2.2 we classify semisimple structure algebras. In subsection 2.3 for any finite group we construct a semisimple structure algebra, which typically is not commutative.

Section 3 contains a geometrical background for the Klien topological field theory, developed in section 4. We consider surfaces with boundaries and special points. The simplest classes of such surfaces (trivial, basic and simple surfaces in the nomenclature of subsections 3.1 and 3.3 ) we exploit in section 4 for constructing of sructure algebras.

We consider also (subsections 3.2 and 3.3) systems of nonintersecting generic cuts of surfaces, and in particular, complecte cut systems cuting surfaces into basic surfaces. The simple surfaces generate elementary shifts of complecte cut systems.

A central theorem of this section (theorem 3.1, subsection 3.4) claims that any complete cut system of a surface can be transformed to any other complete cut system of the same surface by elementary shifts. This theorem playes an essential role in the proof of the main theorem of the paper (theorem 4.4) about the equivalence between structure algebras and Klein topological field theories.

In section 4 we use results of sections 2 and 3 in order to define a Klien topological field theory (subsection 4.1), reformulate it in terms of systems of correlators as it is usually done in physical literature (subsections 4.2), and prove the main theorem 4.4 , which states the correspondence between KTFT and structure algebras (subsection 4.3, 4.4). As corollary we give an analog of this theorem for open-closed topological field theoris and prove that any massive open-closed topological field theory can be extended to a Klein topological field theory (subsection 4.5).

In section 5 the coverings over stratified surface are considered. It is shown (subsection 5.1) that singularities over boundary special points are classified by ’dihedral Yang diagrams’, which in turn correspond to conjugacy classes of pairs of involutions in a symmetric group $`S_n`$.

Classical Hurwits numbers are generalized to coverings over stratified surfaces. A Klien topological field theory is associated (subsections 5.2, 5.3) with these generalized Hurwitz numbers. This KTFT is called Hurwits topological field theory.

It is proved that Hurwits topological field theory corresponds to the structure algebra associated the symmetric group $`S_n`$. It allows us to obtain the expressions (subsection 5.4) for generalized Hurwits numbers via structural constants of the structural algebra.

Acknowledgment. The final version of this paper was written during the second author stay at Max-Planck-Institut für Mathematik in Bonn. He would like to thank this institution for its support and hospitality.

## 2. Structure algebras

This section gives an algebraic background for the Klein topological field theory developed in section 4 . We introduce (subsection 2.1) a purely algebraic object, which is an algebra endowed with additional structures (’structure algebra’). In section 4 we will prove that structure algebras bijectively correspond to Klien topological field theories. In addition to an axiomatic definition of the structure algebra we describe them by the set of structural constants and relations. These relations will be interpreted geometricaly in sections 3 and 4.

Despite the complexity of the formal definition, semisimple structure algebras seems to be rather a handy object. In subsection 2.2 we classify all of them. A semisimple structure algebra is the sum $`H=AB`$, where $`B`$ is the direct sum of full matrix algebras, and $`A`$ is a commutative subalgebra isomorphic to the direct sum of one dimensional algebras. Additional structures are: an isomorphism between the center of $`B`$ and a subalgebra of $`A`$, an invariant scalar product, an involutive antiauthomorphism and a certain element $`UA`$.

In subsection 2.3 for any finite group we construct a semisimple structure algebra, which typically is not commutative. In section 5 we prove that the structure algebras of symmetric groups generate Hurwitz numbers.

### 2.1. Definition of a structure algebra

All vector spaces (algebras) in the paper are vector spaces (algebras) over complex numbers. Let $`X`$ be a finite dimensional associative algebra with unit endowed with a symmetric invariant nondegenerate scalar product $`(.,.):XX`$, i.e., $`(x,y)=(y,x)`$, $`(xy,z)=(x,yz)`$ and $`(x,a)=0`$ for an arbitrary $`xX`$ implies $`a=0`$.

Fix a basis $`E`$ of $`X`$. We denote by $`\alpha ,\alpha ^{},\mathrm{}E`$ elements of the basis. We use the same letters as indices of tensors. Thus, we denote by $`F_{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}`$ the matrix of the scalar product in basis $`E`$ and we denote by $`F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}`$ the tensor of the dual form. Hence, $`F_{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}F^{\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\alpha ^{\prime \prime \prime }}=\delta _\alpha ^{}^{\alpha ^{\prime \prime \prime }}`$. As usual, repeating indices mean summation.

Denote by $`\widehat{K}_X`$ an element $`F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{}\alpha ^{\prime \prime }`$ of the tensor product $`XX`$ and by $`K_X`$ Casimir element. By definition, $`K_X=F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{}\alpha ^{\prime \prime }X`$. By standard arguments, one can show that elements $`\widehat{K}_X`$ and $`K_X`$ do not depend on the choice of a basis.

Denote by $`V_{K_X}`$ the operator $`xF^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{}x\alpha ^{\prime \prime }`$.

By $`xx^{}`$ we denote an involutive antiautomorphism of $`X`$, i.e., $`(x^{})^{}=x`$ and $`(xy)^{}=y^{}x^{}`$. Denote by $`K_{X,}`$ twisted Casimir element $`F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{}\alpha ^{\prime \prime }^{}`$. Obviously, it coincides with Casimir element of twisted scalar product $`(x,y)_{}=(x,y^{})`$.

###### Definition.

A structure algebra $`=\{H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U\}`$ is a finite dimensional associative algebra $`H`$ endowed with

a decomposition $`H=AB`$ of $`H`$ into the direct sum of two vector spaces;

a symmetric invariant scalar product $`(.,.):HH`$;

an involutive antiautomorphism $`HH`$, denoted by $`xx^{}`$;

an element $`UA`$,
such that the following axioms hold:

$`1^{}`$ $`A`$ is a subalgebra belonging to the center of algebra $`H`$; algebra $`A`$ has unit $`1_AA`$ and $`1_A`$ is also the unit of algebra $`H`$;

$`2^{}`$ $`B`$ is a two-sided ideal of $`H`$ (typically noncommutative); algebra $`B`$ has a unit $`1_BB`$;

$`3^{}`$ restrictions $`(.,.)|_A`$ and $`(.,.)|_B`$ are nondegenerate scalar products on algebras $`A`$ and $`B`$ resp.

$`4^{}`$ $`(V_{K_B}(b_1),b_2)=(\widehat{K}_A,b_1b_2)`$ for arbitrary $`b_1,b_2B`$ (this axiom reflects Cardy relation );

$`5^{}`$ an involutive antiautomorphism preserves the decomposition $`H=AB`$ and the form $`(.,.)`$ on $`H`$, i.e., $`A^{}=A`$, $`B^{}=B`$, $`(x^{},y^{})=(x,y)`$;

$`6^{}`$ $`U^2=K_{A,}`$;

$`7^{}`$ $`(U,b)=(K_{B,},b)`$ for any $`bB`$;

$`8^{}`$ $`(aU)^{}=aU`$ for any $`aA`$.

Remark. Forms $`(.,.)|_A`$ and $`(.,.)|_B`$ are nondegenerate and we use them to raise or lower indices in tensors. Bilinear form $`(.,.)`$ on $`H`$ is not assumed to be nondegenerate. Linear subspaces $`A`$ and $`B`$ are not assumed to be orthogonal. Clearly, if an element $`aA`$ is orthogonal to $`B`$ then $`aB=0`$. Therefore, if $`A`$ is orthogonal to $`B`$ then $`AB=0`$.

###### Definition.

Structure algerbras $`=\{H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U\}`$ and $`^{}=\{H^{}=A^{}B^{},(.,.)^{},xx^{^{}},U^{}\}`$ are called isomorphic if there existsts an isomorphism $`\phi :HH^{}`$ such that $`\phi (A)=A^{}`$, $`\phi (B)=B^{}`$, $`(\phi (x),\phi (y))^{}=(x,y)`$, $`\phi (x^{})=\phi (x)^{^{}}`$, $`\phi (U)=U^{}`$.

Fix a structure algebra $`=\{H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U\}`$. Let $`a`$ be an element of $`A`$. Then formula $`(\varphi (a),b)=(a,b)`$ defines an element $`\varphi (a)B`$ because bilinear form $`(.,.)|_B`$ is nondegenerate.

###### Lemma 2.1.

The mapping $`\varphi :AB`$ is a homomorphism of algebra $`A`$ into the center of the algebra $`B`$ such that for any $`aA`$, $`bB`$ the equality $`ab=\varphi (a)b`$ holds.

###### Proof.

By invariance of the form $`(.,.)`$ we have $`(ab,b^{})=(a,bb^{})=(\varphi (a),bb^{})=(\varphi (a)b,b^{})`$. Therefore, $`ab=\varphi (a)b`$, which means that $`\varphi `$ is a homomorphism. By definition, $`A`$ lies in the center of $`H`$. Hence $`(ab,b^{})=(ba,b^{})=(b,ab^{})=(b,\varphi (a)b^{})=(b\varphi (a),b^{})`$. Therefore, $`\varphi (a)b=b\varphi (a)`$ and $`\varphi (a)`$ belongs to the center of $`B`$. ∎

We shall reformulate the definition of a structure algebra $`=\{H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U\}`$ in a coordinate form. Fix basis $`E_A`$ of $`A`$ and $`E_B`$ of $`B`$. We denote by $`\alpha ,\alpha _1,\mathrm{}`$ the elements of $`E_A`$ and by $`\beta ,\beta _1,\mathrm{}`$ the elements of $`E_B`$. Indices of tensors are denoted below by the same letters $`\alpha ,\alpha _1,\mathrm{};\beta ,\beta _1,\mathrm{}`$.

Define tensors:

(1) $`F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=(\alpha _1,\alpha _2)`$;

(2) $`F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}=(\beta _1,\beta _2)`$;

(3) $`R_{\alpha ,\beta }=(\alpha ,\beta )`$;

(4) $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}=(\alpha _1\alpha _2,\alpha _3)`$;

(5) $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}=(\beta _1\beta _2,\beta _3)`$;

(6) $`R_{\alpha ,\beta _1,\beta _2}=(\alpha \beta _1,\beta _2)`$;

(7) $`I_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=(\alpha _1^{},\alpha _2)`$;

(8) $`I_{\beta _1,\beta _2}=(\beta _1^{},\beta _2)`$;

(9) $`D_\alpha =(U,\alpha )`$;

(10) $`J_\alpha =(1_A,\alpha )`$;

(11) $`J_\beta =(1_B,\beta )`$.

Tensors (1)-(11) completely define a structure algebra. Indeed, tensors (1)-(3) define the bilinear form, tensors (4)-(6) define the multiplication in algebra $`H`$, tensors (7)-(8) define the involutive antiautomorphism, tensor (9) defines the element $`U`$ and tensors (10), (11) define units $`1_AA`$ and $`1_BB`$.

We call tensors (1)-(11) structure constants of structure algebra $``$ in basis $`E_A`$, $`E_B`$.

Let us write down exact formulas. Suppose we are given by two linear spaces $`A`$ and $`B`$ with basis $`E_A`$ of $`A`$, $`E_B`$ of $`B`$ and by arbitrary tensors $`F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}`$, $`\mathrm{}`$, $`J_\beta `$ that have the same type as tensors from the left-hand sides of equalities (1) - (11) and are denoted by the same letters.

Assume $`F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}`$ and $`F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}`$ are symmetric and nondegenerate. Using $`F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}`$ and $`F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}`$ and dual tensors we will raise or lower indices of tensors. In the case of asymmetric tensors we always raise the last index.

Let $`H=AB`$. Define bilinear form on $`H`$ by formulas (1)-(3). Define a multiplication in $`H`$ as follows: $`\alpha _1\alpha _2=S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}^\alpha \alpha `$; $`\beta _1\beta _2=T_{\beta _1,\beta _2}^\beta \beta `$; $`\beta \alpha =\alpha \beta =R_{\alpha ,\beta }^\beta ^{}\beta ^{}`$. By definition, $`A`$ is a subalgebra and $`B`$ is an ideal of $`H`$. Define a linear map $`xx^{}`$ as follows: $`\alpha ^{}=I_\alpha ^\alpha ^{}\alpha ^{}`$; $`\beta ^{}=I_\beta ^\beta ^{}\beta ^{}`$. Define elements $`UA,1_A`$, $`1_BB`$ by formulas $`U=D^\alpha \alpha `$, $`1_A=J^\alpha \alpha `$, $`1_B=J^\beta \beta `$. Denote by $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3,\alpha _4}`$ the contraction $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}^\alpha ^{}S_{\alpha ^{},\alpha _3,\alpha _4}`$ and by $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3,\beta _4}`$ the contraction $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2}^\beta ^{}T_{\beta ^{},\beta _3,\beta _4}`$.

###### Lemma 2.2.

A set of data $`=\{H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U\}`$ is a structure algebra if and only if
(1) $`F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}`$, $`F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}`$ are symmetric nondegenerate tensors;
(2) $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}`$ and $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3,\alpha _4}`$ are symmetric tensors;
(3) tensors $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}`$ and $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3,\beta _4}`$ are invariant under cyclic permutations;
(4) $`R_{\alpha ,\beta _1,\beta _2}=R_\alpha ^\beta ^{}T_{\beta ^{},\beta _1,\beta _2}`$;
(5) $`R_\beta ^\alpha ^{}S_{\alpha ^{},\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=R_{\alpha _1}^\beta ^{}R_{\alpha _2}^{\beta ^{\prime \prime }}T_{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime },\beta }`$;
(6) $`R_{\alpha ,\beta _1,\beta _2}=R_{\alpha ,\beta _2,\beta _1}`$;
(7) $`R_{\alpha ^{},\beta _1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}R_{\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\beta _2}=T_{\beta _1,\beta ^{}}^{\beta ^{\prime \prime }}T_{\beta ^{\prime \prime },\beta _2}^\beta ^{}`$
(8) $`I_{\alpha _1}^\alpha ^{}I_{\alpha ^{},\alpha _2}=F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}`$, $`I_{\beta _1}^\beta ^{}I_{\beta ^{},\beta _2}=F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}`$
(9) $`I_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=I_{\alpha _2,\alpha _1}`$, $`I_{\beta _1,\beta _2}=I_{\beta _2,\beta _1}`$, $`I_\alpha ^\alpha ^{}R_{\alpha ^{},\beta }=I_\beta ^\beta ^{}R_{\alpha ,\beta ^{}}`$
(10) $`I_{\alpha _1}^\alpha ^{}I_{\alpha _2}^{\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}I_{\alpha _3}^{\alpha ^{\prime \prime \prime }}S_{\alpha ^{\prime \prime \prime },\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\alpha ^{}}=S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}`$, $`I_{\beta _1}^\beta ^{}I_{\beta _2}^{\beta ^{\prime \prime }}I_{\beta _3}^{\beta ^{\prime \prime \prime }}T_{\beta ^{\prime \prime \prime },\beta ^{\prime \prime },\beta ^{}}=T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}`$,
(11) $`S_{\alpha ,\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}D^\alpha ^{}D^{\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}=S_{\alpha ,\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}I^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}`$;
(12) $`D^\alpha ^{}R_{\alpha ^{},\beta }=I^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}T_{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime },\beta }`$
(14) $`D^\alpha ^{}S_{\alpha ^{},\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=I_{\alpha _1}^\alpha ^{}D^{\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}S_{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\alpha _2}`$
(15) $`J^\alpha ^{}S_{\alpha ^{},\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}`$, $`J^\alpha ^{}R_{\alpha ^{},\beta _1,\beta _2}=F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}`$
(16) $`J^\beta ^{}T_{\beta ^{},\beta _1,\beta _2}=F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}`$

###### Proof.

We shall list below the correspondence between relations (1)-(12) and axioms of a structure algebra. All proofs are by direct calculations.

Relation (1) coincides with axiom $`3^{}`$.

Relation (2) is equivalent to the claim ’$`A`$ is an associative commutative algebra endowed with an invariant scalar product’.

Relation (3) is equivalent to the claim ’$`B`$ is an associative algebra endowed with invariant scalar product’.

Define a map $`\varphi :AB`$ by $`\varphi (\alpha )=R_\alpha ^\beta \beta `$. Clearly $`(\alpha ,\beta )=(\varphi (\alpha ),\beta )`$.

Relation (4) is equivalent to the claim $`\alpha \beta =\varphi (\alpha )\beta `$.

Relation (5) is equivalent to the claim ’$`\varphi `$ is a homomorphism of algebras’.

Relation (6) is equivalent to the claim $`\varphi (\alpha )\beta =\beta \varphi (\alpha )`$.

It is easy to show that if $`\varphi `$ is a homomorphism and its image lies in the center of algebra $`B`$ then $`H`$ is an associative algebra and the form $`(.,.)`$ is invariant and vice versa.

Relation (7) is equivalent to axiom $`4^{}`$.

Relation (8) is equivalent to the claim ’$`xx^{}`$ is an involution’.

Relation (9) is equivalent to the claim ’the involution $`xx^{}`$ preserves the bilinear form $`(.,.)`$’.

Relations (10) is equivalent to the claim ’the involution $`xx^{}`$ preserving the form $`(.,.)`$ is an antiautomorphism’. Indeed, two relations from (10) are the direct reformulation of this fact for subalgebras $`A`$ and $`B`$. Let us prove that $`(\alpha \beta )^{}=\beta ^{}\alpha ^{}`$. We have $`(\varphi (\alpha ),\beta )=(\alpha ,\beta )`$. Therefore, $`(\varphi (\alpha ^{}),\beta )=(\alpha ^{},\beta )=(\alpha ,\beta ^{})`$. Analogously, $`(\varphi (\alpha )^{},\beta )=(\varphi (\alpha ),\beta ^{})=(\alpha ,\beta ^{})`$. We obtain that $`\varphi (\alpha ^{})=\varphi (\alpha )^{}`$. Hence, $`(\alpha \beta )^{}=(\varphi (\alpha )\beta )^{}=\beta ^{}\varphi (\alpha )^{}=\beta ^{}\varphi (\alpha ^{})=\beta ^{}\alpha ^{}`$.

Relation (11) is equivalent to axiom $`6^{}`$.

Relation (12) is equivalent to axiom $`7^{}`$.

Relation (14) is equivalent to axiom $`8^{}`$.

Relations (15), (16) are equivalent to the claims ’$`1_A`$ is a unit of $`H`$’ and ’$`1_B`$ is a unit of $`B`$’.

We call (1) - (16) relations for structure constants of a structure algebra.

### 2.2. Semisimple structure algebras

A structure algebra $``$ is called semisimple if the algebra $`H`$ is semisimple.

Let $``$ be a finite dimensional complex semisimple structure algebra. Then both subalgebras $`A`$ and $`B`$ are semisimple algebras. Indeed, $`B`$ is an ideal of $`H`$ and $`A`$ is isomorphic to the factor $`H/B`$.

By Wedderburn theorem, $`B`$ is isomorphic to the direct sum of matrix algebras, $`B=_{i=1}^kM_{n_i}`$. $`A`$ is commutative semisimple algebra; therefore, $`A`$ is isomorphic to the direct sum of one-dimensional algebras, $`A=\stackrel{m}{\stackrel{}{\mathrm{}}}`$. Clearly, as an abstract algebra $`H`$ is isomorphic to the direct sum $`AB`$. Despite this fact, the decomposition $`H=AB`$ that is included in the set of data $``$ typically does not coincide with a decomposition into the direct sum of two-sided ideals.

Let us write down formulas for the multiplication $`A\times BB`$ and for the invariant bilinear form $`(.,.):HH`$. There is a uniquely defined, up to permutations, complete system $`e_1,\mathrm{}e_m`$ of orthogonal idempotents in $`A`$ and $`A=e_1\mathrm{}e_m`$. Orthogonal idempotents are orthogonal with respect to the invariant scalar product. Therefore, we have $`(e_i,e_j)=\lambda _i\delta _{i,j}`$, $`\lambda _i0`$.

Similarly, components $`M_{n_i}`$ of algebra $`B=_{i=1}^kM_{n_i}`$ are orthogonal with respect to any invariant scalar product on $`B`$. All invariant scalar products on $`M_{n_i}`$ are proportional to each other. Hence, if $`X,YM_{n_i}`$ then $`(X,Y)=\mu _itr(XY)`$, $`\mu _i0`$.

Denote by $`E_i`$ the unit matrix of $`M_{n_i}`$. Clearly, elements $`\{E_i|i=1,\mathrm{},k\}`$ form a basis of the center of algebra $`B`$ and they are orthogonal idempotents. By lemma 2.1, morphism $`\varphi :AB`$ is a homomorphism into the center of $`B`$. Therefore, the image of a complete system $`\{e_i|i=1,\mathrm{},m\}`$ of orthogonal idempotents is a system of orthogonal idempotents in the center of $`B`$. Hence, $`\varphi (e_i)=_{jN_i}E_j`$, where $`N_i\{1,\mathrm{},k\}`$ and if $`ii^{}`$ then $`N_iN_i^{}=\mathrm{}`$. Thus,

$$e_ib=be_i=(\underset{jN_i}{}E_j)b\text{for any}bB(2.1)$$

and this formula completely describes the multiplication between elements of $`A`$ and $`B`$.

Denote by $`E_{s,i,j}M_{n_s}`$ the $`n_s\times n_s`$ matrix with all elements equal to zero except (i,j) element which is equal to $`1`$. We get

$$(e_i,E_{s,i,j})=(\varphi (e_i),E_j)=\{\begin{array}{c}\mu _s\delta _{i,j}\text{ if }sN_i\hfill \\ 0\text{ if }sN_i\hfill \end{array}(2.2)$$

Conversely, let $`A=^m`$ and $`B=_{i=1}^kM_{n_i}`$ be algebras with invariant scalar products defined by constants $`\lambda _i`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},m`$ and $`\mu _j`$, $`j=1,\mathrm{},k`$ resp. Define a multiplication between $`A`$ and $`B`$ by formula 2.1 and the scalar product between $`A`$ and $`B`$ by formula 2.2. Then axioms $`1^{}`$-$`3^{}`$ of a structure algebra are satisfied. Let us denote such an algebra endowed with an invariant bilinear form by $`\stackrel{~}{H}=AB`$.

###### Lemma 2.3.

Cardy axiom $`4^{}`$ is satisfied in algebra $`\stackrel{~}{H}`$ if and only if
(1) for $`i=1,\mathrm{},m`$ a subset $`N_i`$ of the set $`\{1,\mathrm{},k\}`$ is either empty set or contains one element;
(2) $`\{1,\mathrm{},k\}=_iN_i`$;
(3) if $`N_i=\{j\}`$ then $`\lambda _i=\mu _j^2`$.

###### Proof.

Let us compute element $`\widehat{K}_A`$ and transformation $`V_{K_b}`$. Evidently, $`\widehat{K}_A=_{i=1}^m\frac{1}{\lambda _i}e_ie_i`$ and $`K_A=_{i=1}^m\frac{1}{\lambda _i}e_i`$.

Evidently, all matrices $`E_{s,i,j}`$ form a basis of algebra $`B`$. We obtain by direct calculations that $`K_B=_{s=1}^k\frac{n_s}{\mu _s}E_s`$ and $`V_{K_B}(E_{s,i,j})=\delta _{i,j}\frac{1}{\mu _s}E_s`$. Therefore, putting $`b_1=E_{s,i,j}`$, $`b_2=E_{s^{},i^{},j^{}}`$ in axiom $`4^{}`$ we obtain that:

a) left side $`=\delta _{s,s^{}}\delta _{i,j}\delta _{i^{},j^{}}\frac{1}{m_s}\mu _s=\delta _{s,s^{}}\delta _{i,j}\delta _{i^{},j^{}}`$;

b) right side $`=\{\begin{array}{c}\frac{\mu _s\mu _s^{}}{\lambda _l}\delta _{i,j}\delta i^{},j^{}\text{ if }s,s^{}N_l\hfill \\ 0\text{ if }s\text{ and }s^{}\text{ do not lie in the same set }N_l\hfill \end{array}`$

The proof is completed by comparing these formulas.

Assume that axiom $`4^{}`$ holds for an algebra $`\stackrel{~}{H}`$. Then we can and will reorder components of $`A`$ and $`B`$ in such a way that

a) for $`i=1,\mathrm{},k`$ we have $`\varphi (e_i)=E_i`$, where $`E_i`$ is the unit matrix of the component $`M_{n_i}`$;

b) for $`i=k+1,\mathrm{},m`$ we have $`\varphi (e_i)=0`$.

Let us check axioms related to an involutive antiauthomorphism $`xx^{}`$ and an element $`U`$ for algebra $`\stackrel{~}{H}`$. Suppose $`xx^{}`$ is an involutive transformation satisfying axiom $`5^{}`$.

Obviously, involutive antiautomorphism $`xx^{}`$ can either fix an idempotent $`e_s`$ or permute two idempotents $`e_s^{}`$ and $`e_{s^{\prime \prime }}`$. If the latter occurs then $`\lambda _s^{}=\lambda _{s^{\prime \prime }}`$ because this antiautomorphism preserves the scalar product. Thus, the involution of the set $`\{1,\mathrm{},m\}`$ is induced. We denote it by the same sign $`ss^{}`$.

Analogously, the involution $`xx^{}`$ either preserves a component $`M_{n_s}`$ or permutes two components $`M_{n_s}`$ and $`M_{n_s^{}}`$ of algebra $`B`$. If the latter occurs then we have $`n_s=n_s^{}`$ and $`\mu _s=\mu _s^{}`$. Thus, the involution of the set $`\{1,\mathrm{},k\}`$ is induced. This involution coincides with the restriction to $`\{1,\mathrm{},k\}`$ of previously defined involution $`ss^{}`$ of the set $`\{1,\mathrm{},m\}`$ because transformation $`xx^{}`$ preserves bilinear form and $`e_i`$ is orthogonal to $`M_{n_j}`$ if and only if $`ij`$.

Obviously, the restriction of the transformation $`xx^{}`$ to $`A`$ is completely defined by the involution $`ss^{}`$ of the set $`\{1,\mathrm{},m\}`$. There is an ambiguity for the restriction of the involutive transformation to subalgebra $`B`$. The possibilities are well known. We describe them below without proofs.

If $`sk`$ and $`s^{}s`$ then the restriction of $`xx^{}`$ to $`M_{n_s}M_{n_s^{}}`$ is conjugated to the transformation $`\{X,Y\}\{Y^{},X^{}\}`$, where $`X^{}`$ denotes the transpose of $`X`$.Here $`\{X,Y\}`$ is an element of $`M_{n_s}M_{n_s^{}}`$, i.e., two matricies. Thus, changing the basis of $`B`$ if necessary, we have $`\{X,Y\}^{}=\{Y^{},X^{}\}`$.

If $`sk`$ and $`s^{}=s`$ then an involutive antiautomorphism of $`M_{n_s}`$ is conjugated to one of two canonical antiautomorphisms.

The first of them is associated with a symmetric bilinear form and coincides with the transpose of a matrix.

The second of them is associated with a nondegenerate skew-symmetric bilinear form. Hence, it exists only if $`n_s=2r`$. Let us identify the set $`\{1,\mathrm{},n_s\}`$ with the set $`_2\times \{1,\mathrm{},r\}`$, where $`_2`$ is the group with two elements $`\{0,1\}`$. If $`i=(ϵ,i^{})`$ then put $`ϵ(i)=ϵ`$ and $`i^\tau =(ϵ+1,i^{})`$. Define a transformation $`\tau :M_{n_s}M_{n_s}`$ by formula $`(E_{i,j})^\tau =(1)^{ϵ(i)+ϵ(j)}E_{j^\tau ,i^\tau }`$. One can check directly that $`\tau `$ is the involutive antiautomorphism preserving the invariant scalar product.

Therefore, if $`s^{}=s`$ then in an appropriate basis we have either $`E_{s,i,j}^{}=E_{s,j,i}`$ or $`E_{s,i,j}^{}=(1)^{ϵ(i)+ϵ(j)}E_{s,j^\tau ,i^\tau }`$. In order to distinguish these cases let us introduce an invariant $`\nu =\nu (s)\pm 1`$ and put $`\nu (s)=1`$ in the former case, $`\nu (s)=1`$ in the latter case.

Denote by $`P`$ a set of fixed points of involution $`ss^{}`$ and put $`P_0=P\{1,\mathrm{},k\}`$.

As a result of the above considerations, we obtain the following lemma.

###### Lemma 2.4.

Let $`xx^{}`$ be an involutive antiautomorphisms of algebra $`\stackrel{~}{H}`$. Suppose, $`xx^{}`$ satisfies axiom $`5^{}`$. Then antiautomorphism $`xx^{}`$ induces

* involution $`ss^{}`$ of set $`\{1,\mathrm{},m\}`$ such that $`(\{1,\mathrm{},k\})^{}=\{1,\mathrm{},k\}`$ and $`\mu _s=\mu _s^{}`$, $`\lambda _s=\lambda _s^{}`$;
* numbers $`\nu (s)\{\pm 1\}`$ for $`sP_0`$ where $`P_0=\{s|sk,s^{}=s\}`$

Antiautomorphisms $`ss^{}`$ up to inner automorphism of $`\stackrel{~}{H}`$ are classified by pairs $`(ss^{};\nu (s))`$.

Let us fix additionally an involutive antiautomorphism satisfying axiom $`5^{}`$ and check the possibilities of choosing an element $`UA`$ satisfying axioms $`6^{}8^{}`$.

###### Lemma 2.5.

An element $`UA`$ satisfies axioms $`6^{}8^{}`$ if and only if $`U=_{iP_0}\frac{\nu _i}{\mu _i}e_i+_{jPP_0}x^je_j`$, where $`(x^j)^2=\frac{1}{\lambda _j}`$.

###### Proof.

Let $`U=_{i=1}^mx^ie_i`$ be an element of $`A`$ satisfying axioms $`6^{}8^{}`$. Then $`U^2=_{i=1}^m(x^i)^2e_i`$. Twisted Casimir element $`K_{A,}`$ is equal to $`_i\frac{1}{\lambda _i}e_ie_i^{}=_{iP}\frac{1}{\lambda _i}e_i`$. Therefore, $`U=_{iP}x^ie_i`$ and $`(x^i)^2=\frac{1}{\lambda _i}`$ (axiom $`6^{}`$) Evidently, $`(U,E_{s,i,j})=\{\begin{array}{c}x_s\mu _s\delta _{i,j}\text{ if }sP_0\hfill \\ 0\text{ if }sP_0\hfill \end{array}`$

Compute element $`K_{B,}`$. By definition, $`K_{B,}=_{s=1}^k_{i,j}\frac{1}{\mu _s}E_{s,i,j}E_{s,j,i}^{}`$. If $`s^{}s`$ then $`E_{s,i,j}E_{s,j,i}^{}=0`$, hence only summands corresponding to $`sP_0`$ are nonzero.

If $`\nu _s=1`$ then $`_{i,j}\frac{1}{\mu _s}E_{s,i,j}E_{s,j,i}^{}=_{i,j}\frac{1}{\mu _s}E_{s,i,j}E_{s,i,j}=\frac{1}{\mu _s}_iE_{s,i,i}=\frac{1}{\mu _s}E_s=\frac{1}{\mu _s}\nu _sE_s`$.

If $`\nu _s=1`$ then $`_{i,j}\frac{1}{\mu _s}E_{s,i,j}E_{s,j,i}^{}=_{i,j}\frac{1}{\mu _s}E_{s,i,j}(1)^{ϵ(j)+ϵ(i)}E_{s,i^{},j^{}}=\frac{1}{\mu _s}_iE_{s,i,i^{}}(1)E_{s,i^{},i}=\frac{1}{\mu _s}\nu _sE_s`$.

Therefore, $`K_{B,}=_{sP_0}\frac{1}{\mu _s}\nu _sE_s`$ and $`(K_{B,},E_{s,i,j})=\{\begin{array}{c}\nu _s\delta _{i,j}\text{ if }sP_0\hfill \\ 0\text{ if }sP_0\hfill \end{array}`$

By axiom $`7^{}`$ $`x_s\mu _s=\nu _s`$ for $`sP_0`$. Thus, we prove that $`U=_{iP_0}\frac{\nu _i}{\mu _i}e_i+_{jPP_0}x^je_j`$, where $`(x^j)^2=\frac{1}{\lambda _j}`$.

Conversely, let $`U`$ is given by the latter formula. Then reversing our steps, we obtain that it satisfies axioms $`6^{}`$ and $`7^{}`$. By direct calculations we obtain also that $`U`$ satisfies axioms $`8^{}`$. ∎

Remark. In the case of a semisimple structure algebra axiom $`8^{}`$ follows from axioms $`6^{}`$ and $`7^{}`$.

Thus, we proved the following theorem.

###### Theorem 2.1.

Let $`=\{H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U\}`$ be a semisimple structure algebra. Then
(1) $`A=e_1\mathrm{}e_m`$, $`B=M_{n_1}\mathrm{}M_{n_k}`$, $`km`$ and $`\varphi (e_i)=E_i`$ for $`ik`$;
(2) $`(X_i,\stackrel{~}{X}_i)=\mu _itr(X_i\stackrel{~}{X}_i)`$, $`\mu _i0`$, for $`X_i,\stackrel{~}{X}_iM_{n_i}`$, $`i=1,\mathrm{},k`$, and $`(X_i,\stackrel{~}{X}_j)=0`$ for $`ij`$;
(3) $`(e_i,e_i)=\mu _i^2`$ for $`i=1,\mathrm{},k`$; $`(e_i,e_i)=\lambda _i`$ for $`i>k`$; $`(e_i,e_j)=0`$ for $`ij`$;
(4) if $`M_{n_i}^{}=M_{n_j}`$ then $`e_i^{}=e_j`$;
a) if $`ij`$ then $`n_i=n_j`$, $`\mu _i=\mu _j`$ and for $`XM_{n_i}`$ we have $`X^{}=X^{}M_{n_j}`$;
b) if $`i=j`$ then either $`X^{}=X^{}`$ or $`n_i`$ is even and $`X^{}=X^\tau `$; put $`\nu _i=1`$ in the first case and $`\nu _i=1`$ in the second case;
(5) for $`i>k`$ we have $`e_i^{}=e_j`$ and if $`ij`$ then $`\lambda _i=\lambda _j`$;
(6) $`U=_{iP_0}\frac{\nu _i}{\mu _i}e_i+_{jPP_0}x^je_j`$, where $`P=\{x\{1,\mathrm{},m\}|e_i^{}=e_i\}`$, $`P_0=P\{1,\mathrm{},k\}`$ and $`(x^j)^2=\frac{1}{\lambda _j}`$.

Conversely, if conditions (1)-(6) hold then $``$ is a semisimple structure algebra

###### Corollary 2.1.

If a semisimple associative algebra $`H`$, its decomposition $`H=AB`$ and bilinear form $`(.,.)`$ satisfy axioms $`1^{}4^{}`$ then there exists at least one involutive antiautomorphism satisfying axiom $`5^{}`$. For each of them there exists $`2^p>0`$, where $`p=|PP_0|`$ elements $`UA`$ such that $`=\{H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U\}`$ is a semisimple structure algebra.

Proof is evident.

### 2.3. Structure algebra of a finite group

In this section we assign a structure algebra $`=(G)`$ to any finite group $`G`$. Denote by $`|\mathrm{\Lambda }|`$ the cardinality of a set $`\mathrm{\Lambda }`$. Denote by $`[G]`$ the group algebra of group $`G`$. Denote by $`A`$ the center of algebra $`[G]`$. Let us assign an element $`E_\alpha =_{g\alpha }g[G]`$ to a class $`\alpha `$ of conjugated elements. It is known, that elements $`E_\alpha `$ form a basis of $`A`$.

Denote by $`M(G)`$ an algebra of all endomorphisms of vector space $`[G]`$. Elements of $`G`$ form a basis of $`[G])`$. For an ordered pair $`(g_1,g_2)`$ of elements of $`G`$ denote by $`E_{g_1,g_2}`$ the matrix $`((\delta _{g_1,g_2}))`$.

Two ordered pairs $`(g_1,g_2)`$, $`(g_1^{},g_2^{})`$ of elements of $`G`$ are called conjugated if and only if there exists an element $`gG`$ such that $`gg_1g^1=g_1^{}`$, $`gg_2g^1=g_2^{}`$. Let $`(s_1,s_2)`$ be an ordered pair of involutive elements of $`G`$ and $`\beta `$ be a class of ordered pairs conjugated to $`(s_1,s_2)`$. Define an element $`E_\beta M(G)`$ by the formula $`E_\beta =_{(s^{},s^{\prime \prime })\beta }E_{s^{},s^{\prime \prime }}`$. Denote by $`B`$ a linear subspace of $`M(G)`$ generated by all $`E_\beta `$. Obviously elements $`E_\beta `$ form a basis of $`B`$. Action of $`gG`$ on group $`G`$ by conjugation $`xgxg^1`$ defines an element of $`M(G)`$; we denote it by $`V_g`$. Obviously mapping $`gV_g`$ defines the representation $`V:[G]M(G)`$.

###### Lemma 2.6.

.
(1) $`V(g)=_{hG}E_{gh,hg}`$.
(2) $`V(g)E_{g_1,g_2}=E_{gg_1g^1,g_2}`$, $`E_{g_1,g_2}V(g)=E_{g_1,g^1g_2g}`$
(3) $`V(g)E_{g_1,g_2}V(g^1)=E_{gg_1g^1,gg_2g^1}`$

The proof is elementary.

###### Lemma 2.7.

Linear subspace $`B`$ coincides with the set of matrices $`XM(G)`$ such that

a) $`X`$ is a linear combination of elements $`E_{s_1,s_2}`$, where $`s_1,s_2`$ are involutive elements of $`G`$;

b) $`X`$ commutes with all $`V_g`$, $`gG`$.

The proof follows from lemma 2.6. $`\mathrm{}`$

Put $`V_\alpha =V(E_\alpha )`$. Define the algebra structure on the direct sum $`H=AB`$. The multiplication of elements of $`A`$ and elements of $`B`$ follows from algebra structure on $`A`$ and $`B`$ respectively. Define multiplication of elements $`E_\alpha A`$ and $`E_\beta B`$ by formulas: $`E_\alpha E_\beta =V_\alpha E_\beta `$, $`E_\beta E_\alpha =E_\beta V_\alpha `$.

###### Lemma 2.8.

$`H=AB`$ is a semisimple associative algebra, $`A`$ is a central subalgebra, $`B`$ is an ideal.

###### Proof.

Associativity of $`H`$ and properties of the decomposition $`H=AB`$ can be easily checked by direct calculations. $`A`$ is a semisimple algebra as the center of a group algebra.

Let us proove that $`B`$ is a semisimple algebra. Denote by $`S`$ the set of all involutions in $`G`$. Clearly, the subspace $`[S][G]`$ is invariant with respect to the representation $`V:[G]M(G)`$. By lemma 2.7, $`B`$ coincides with the centralizer of $`V(G)M(S)`$. Therefore, $`B`$ is a semisimple algebra. Hence $`H`$ is a semisimple algebra. ∎

There are natural involutive antiautomorphism in both algebras $`A`$ and $`B`$. Namely, denote by ”” the linear extension of the involution $`gg^1`$, $`gG`$, to group algebra $`[G]`$. Obviously, $`E_\alpha ^{}=E_\alpha ^{}`$, where $`\alpha ^{}`$ consists of inverse elements to elements of $`\alpha `$ and ”” is an involutive antiautomorphism of $`A`$.

Denote by the same sign ”” the transpose of matrices of $`M(G)`$, it is an involutive antiautomorphism of the algebra. For a class $`\beta =[(s_1,s_2)]`$ put $`\beta ^{}=[(s_2,s_1)]`$. Clearly, $`E_\beta ^{}=E_\beta ^{}`$. Therefore, $`B^{}=B`$. So we have defined the involutive transformation of $`H`$.

###### Lemma 2.9.

Involutive transformation $`xx^{}`$ is an antiautomorphism of algebra $`H`$.

###### Proof.

We should check that $`(E_\alpha E_\beta )^{}=E_\beta ^{}E_\alpha ^{}`$. We have $`(E_\alpha E_\beta )^{}=(V_\alpha E_\beta )^{}=E_\beta ^{}V_\alpha ^{}`$. By lemma 2.6 $`V_g=_{hG}E_{gh,hg}`$. Therefore,
$`V_g^{}=_{hG}E_{hg,gh}=_{hG}E_{g^1h^{},h^{}g^1}`$, where $`h^{}=ghg`$. Hence $`V_g^{}=V_{g^1}`$ and $`V_\alpha ^{}=V_\alpha ^{}`$. ∎

It is well-known that any invariant symmetric bilinear form $`(.,.)`$ is uniquely defined by a linear form $`f(x)`$ such that $`f(xyyx)=0`$ identically. Bilinear form corresponding to $`f(x)`$ is defined as $`(x,y)=f(xy)`$. Define a linear form $`f`$ on $`H`$ by formulas: $`f(E_\alpha )=\frac{1}{|G|}\delta _{\alpha ,1}`$, $`f(E_\beta )=\frac{1}{|G|}tr(E_\beta )`$ (recall that $`E_\beta `$ is an element of matrix algebra $`M(G)`$). Clearly, $`f`$ defines the invariant symmetric bilinear form $`(.,.)`$ on $`H`$.

The restriction $`(.,.)|_A`$ coincides with the restriction to the center of the standard invariant form on $`[G]`$ given by formula $`(g_1,g_2)=\frac{1}{|G|}\delta _{g_1,g_2^1}`$ for $`g_1,g_2G`$. Therefore, $`(E_{\alpha _1},E_{\alpha _2})=\frac{1}{\nu _{\alpha _1}}\delta _{\alpha _1,\alpha _2^{}}`$, where $`\nu _\alpha =\frac{|G|}{|\alpha |}`$. Obviously $`\nu _\alpha `$ is equal to the number of elements in the centralizer of any $`g\alpha `$. Note that form $`(.,.)|_A`$ is nondegenerate.

The restriction $`(.,.)|_B`$ coincides with the restriction to $`B`$ of the standard invariant form on $`M(G)`$ given by formula $`(X_1,X_2)=\frac{1}{|G|}tr(X_1X_2)`$. Therefore, $`(E_{\beta _1},E_{\beta _2})=\frac{1}{\nu _{\beta _1}}\delta _{\beta _1,\beta _2^{}}`$, where $`\nu _\beta =\frac{|G|}{|\beta |}`$. Obviously $`\nu _\beta `$ is equal to the number of elements in the stabilizer of any element $`(s_1,s_2)\beta `$. Clearly, the form $`(.,.)|_B`$ is nondegenerate. Note that scalar products $`(E_\alpha ,E_\beta )`$ can be nonzero because by definition $`(E_\alpha ,E_\beta )=f(E_\alpha E_\beta )=\frac{1}{|G|}tr(V_\alpha E_\beta )`$.

Clearly, involution $`xx^{}`$ preserves this bilinear form. According to notations of previous subsection put $`F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=(E_{\alpha _1},E_{\alpha _2})`$, $`F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}=(E_{\beta _1},E_{\beta _2})`$ and $`R_{\alpha ,\beta }=(E_\alpha ,E_\beta )`$.

###### Lemma 2.10.

Cardy axiom $`4^{}`$ holds for algebra $`H`$.

###### Proof.

First, let us compute the left hand side $`L=(V_{K_B}(E_{\beta _1}),E_{\beta _2})`$ of the identity in axiom $`4^{}`$. By definition, $`V_{K_B}(E_{\beta _1})=F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}E_\beta ^{}E_{\beta _1}E_{\beta ^{\prime \prime }}`$. We have $`F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}=\nu _\beta ^{}\delta ^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }^{}}`$. Hence $`V_{K_B}(E_{\beta _1})=_\beta \nu _\beta E_\beta E_{\beta _1}E_\beta ^{}`$ and
$`L=_\beta \nu _\beta \frac{1}{|G|}tr(E_\beta E_{\beta _1}E_\beta ^{}E_{\beta _2})=_\beta \frac{1}{|\beta |}tr(E_\beta E_{\beta _1}E_\beta ^{}E_{\beta _2})`$.

Each summand in this formula is a product of matrices $`E_{x,y}E_{s_1,s_2}E_{u,v}E_{s_3,s_4}`$, where $`(x,y)\beta ,(s_1,s_2)\beta _1,(u,v)\beta ^{},(s_3,s_4)\beta _2`$. If the trace of the summand is nonzero then $`y=s_1,u=s_2,v=s_3,x=s_4`$. Let this conditions be satisfied. Then the trace is equal to $`1`$ and the pair $`(s_4,s_1)`$ is conjugated to the pair $`(s_3,s_2)`$. Therefore,

$$L=\underset{(s_1,s_2,s_3,s_4,g|(s_1,s_2)\beta _1,(s_3,s_4)\beta _2,gs_2g^1=s_1,gs_3g^1=s_4,gG}{}\frac{1}{|[(s_4,s_1)]|}\frac{1}{|Z_G(s_4,s_1)|}=$$

$$=\frac{|\{(s_1,s_2,s_3,s_4,g|(s_1,s_2)\beta _1,(s_3,s_4)\beta _2,gG,gs_2g^1=s_1,gs_3g^1=s_4\}|}{|G|}$$

Let us compute the right hand side $`R=(\widehat{K}_A,E_{\beta _1}E_{\beta _2})`$ of the identity from axiom $`4^{}`$. By definition,

$`R=_{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}(E_\alpha ^{},E_{\beta _1})(E_{\alpha ^{\prime \prime }},E_{\beta _2})=_\alpha \nu _\alpha (E_\alpha ,E_{\beta _1})(E_\alpha ^{},E_{\beta _2})=_\alpha \nu _\alpha \frac{1}{|G|^2}tr(V_\alpha E_{\beta _1})tr(V_\alpha ^{}E_{\beta _2})`$.

By lemma 2.6, we have $`V_\alpha =_{hG,g\alpha }E_{gh,hg}=_{xG,g\alpha }E_{x,g^1xg}`$. Analogously, $`V_\alpha ^{}=_{yG,h\alpha }E_{y,hyh^1}`$.

Hence,

$`R=_\alpha \frac{1}{|G||\alpha |}(_{xG,g\alpha ,(s_1,s_2)\beta _1}tr(E_{x,g^1xg}E_{s_1,s_2}))`$
$`(_{yG,h\alpha ,(s_3,s_4)\beta _2}tr(E_{y,hyh^1}E_{s_3,s_4}))`$.

Nonzero summands arise from the cases $`x=s_2,g^1xg=s_1,y=s_4,hyh^1=s_3`$; in this case a summand is equal to $`\frac{1}{\alpha }`$.

Therefore,

$`R=_\alpha \frac{1}{|G||\alpha |}|\{s_1,s_2,s_3,s_4,g,h|(s_1,s_2)\beta _1,(s_3,s_4)\beta _2,g\alpha ,h\alpha ,s_2=gs_1g^1,s_3=hs_4h^1\}|`$.

Element $`h`$ runs through the set $`\alpha `$ of elements conjugated to $`g`$. Hence, we can present it as $`h=zgz^1`$, where $`z`$ runs through all elements of group $`G`$. Each element $`h`$ has $`k`$ presentations of this type, where $`k=|Z_G(g)|`$ is the cardinality of the centralizer of element $`g`$. Therefore, $`R=_\alpha \frac{1}{|G||\alpha |}\frac{1}{\nu _\alpha }|\{s_1,s_2,s_3,s_4,g,z|(s_1,s_2)\beta _1,(s_3,s_4)\beta _2,g\alpha ,zG,s_2=gs_1g^1,s_3=(zgz^1)s_4(zg^1z^1\}|.`$ Note that $`\frac{1}{|G||\alpha |}\frac{1}{\nu _\alpha }=\frac{1}{|G|^2}`$ and therefore, this coefficient can be carried out of summing. Therefore, $`R=\frac{1}{|G|^2}|\{s_1,s_2,s_3,s_4,g,z|(s_1,s_2)\beta _1,(s_3,s_4)\beta _2,gG,zG,s_2=gs_1g^1,s_3=(zgz^1)s_4(zg^1z^1\}|.`$

The equality $`s_3=(zgz^1)s_4(zg^1z^1)`$ can be rewritten as $`s_3^{}=gs_4^{}g^1`$, where $`s_3^{}=z^1s_3z`$, $`s_4^{}=z^1s_4z`$. For two fixed $`z=z_1`$ and $`z=z_2`$ the numbers of tuples $`(s_1,s_2,s_3,s_4,g,z)`$ satisfying conditions are equal since the pairs $`(s_3,s_4)`$ run through all representatives of the class $`\beta _2`$. Therefore,
$`R=\frac{1}{|G|^2}|G||\{s_1,s_2,s_3,s_4,g,z|(s_1,s_2)\beta _1,(s_3,s_4)\beta _2,gG,s_2=gs_1g^1,s_3=gs_4g^1\}|.`$

We get that $`L=R`$. ∎

Thus, we have proved all axioms for a structure algebra except those concerning an element $`UA`$. By corollary 2.1, there exists at least one element $`UA`$ satisfying axioms $`6^{}8^{}`$. Let us fix it. Therefore, we prove theorem.

###### Theorem 2.2.

For any finite group $`G`$ the set of data $`(G)=(H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U)`$ is a structure algebra.

Remark. It can be shown that in the case of the symmetric group $`G=S_n`$ the element $`U`$ is uniquely determined.

## 3. Cuts of stratified surfaces

This section contains a geometrical background for the Klien topological field theory developed in section 4. We consider surfaces with boundaries and special points. The simplest classes of such surfaces (trivial, basic and simple surfaces in the nomenclature of subsections 3.1 and 3.3 ) we exploit in section 4 for constructing of sructure algebras.

We consider also (subsections 3.2 and 3.3) systems of nonintersecting generic cuts of the surfaces, and in particular, complecte cut systems cuting surfaces into basic surfaces. The simple surfaces generate elementary shifts of complecte cut systems.

The central theorem of the section (theorem 3.1,subsection 3.4) claims that any complete cut system of a surface can be transformed to any other complete cut system of the same surface by elementary shifts. This theorem playes an essential role in the proof of the main theorem of the paper (theorem 4.4) about the equivalence between structure algebras and Klein topological field theories.

### 3.1. Stratified surfaces

Denote by $`X`$ a boundary of a topological space $`X`$ and denote by $`X^{}`$ its interior $`\overline{X}X`$. We deal below with compact topological manifolds possibly with boundary and call them ’manifolds’ for short.

Examples

1. A connected one-dimensional manifold is homeomorphic either to a circle or to a segment.
2. A connected orientable two-dimensional manifold is homeomorphic to a sphere with $`g`$ handles and $`s`$ holes. We call it a surface of type $`(g,s,1)`$.
3. A connected nonorientable two-dimensional manifold is homeomorphic either to a projective plane with $`a`$ handles and $`s`$ holes or to a Klein bottle with $`a`$ handles and $`s`$ holes. We call it a surface of type $`(g,s,0)`$, where $`g=a+1/2`$ in the former case and $`g=a+1`$ in the latter case.

###### Definition.

Let $`\mathrm{\Lambda }`$ be a finite set. The decomposition $`\mathrm{\Omega }=_{\lambda \mathrm{\Lambda }}\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ of a topological space $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ into the disjoint union of subspaces (strata) $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda \mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called a stratification if and only if

1. each stratum $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ is homeomorphic to a connected manifold without a boundary;
2. each stratum is open in its closure;
3. the boundary $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ of a stratum coincides with the union of strata of less dimension.

We call topological space $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ itself a base of the stratification. Zero-dimensional strata are called special points.

Remark.

1. A stratum is not necessarily homeomorphic to an open ball.
2. Joining of strata induces a partial ordering of set $`\mathrm{\Lambda }`$.
3. There are several different definitions of a stratified manifold (see ). All these definitions are equivalent in dimensions $`1`$ and $`2`$. Fortunately, in this work we deal with dimensions $`1`$ and $`2`$ only. $`\mathrm{}`$

A homeomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ of the bases of stratified manifolds $`\mathrm{\Omega }=_{\lambda \mathrm{\Lambda }}\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}=_{\lambda \mathrm{\Lambda }^{}}\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda ^{}`$ is called an isomorphism of stratifications, if and only if the restriction of $`\varphi `$ to any stratum of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is the homeomorphism with an appropriate stratum of $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$. Clearly, an isomorphism of stratifications induces the isomorphism of partial ordered sets $`\mathrm{\Lambda }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Lambda }^{}`$.

###### Definition.

A stratification $`\mathrm{\Omega }=_{\lambda \mathrm{\Lambda }}\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ of a manifold $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called special stratification if and only if all strata of codimension one belong to the boundary of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

Examples

1. A connected specially stratified one-dimensional manifold is isomorphic either to a circle with the unique stratum or to a segment with natural stratification (strata are two end points and the open interval).
2. Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }=_{\lambda \mathrm{\Lambda }}\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ be a connected specially stratified two-dimensional manifold. We call the set of data $`G=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ a type of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Here $`(g,s,\epsilon )`$ is the type of surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, $`m`$ is the number of interior special points, $`m_i`$ is the number of special points on $`i`$-th boundary contour. Two types that differ only in the order of $`m_i`$ are considered as equal. It can be easily shown that an isomorphism class connected two-dimensional specially stratified manifolds is uniquely determined by its type.
3. Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified surface consisting of connected components $`\mathrm{\Omega }_i`$. Denote by $`G`$ unordered set of types $`G^i`$ of surfaces $`\mathrm{\Omega }_i`$. We call $`G`$ a type of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Clearly, up to isomorphism, $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is uniquely determined by its type.

Remark. A special stratification of a surface is uniquely defined by a set $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ of its special points.

We call a two-dimensional specially stratified manifold $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ consisting of finitely many connected components a stratified surface for short. Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ consists of $`c`$ connected components. Denote by $`G^i=(g^i,\epsilon ^i,m^i,m_1^i,\mathrm{},m_s^i)`$ ($`i=1,\mathrm{},c`$) a type of $`i`$-th connected component $`\mathrm{\Omega }^i`$. Define an invariant $`\mu (\mathrm{\Omega })`$ by formula

$$\mu (\mathrm{\Omega })=\underset{i}{}2g^i+\underset{i}{}m^i+\underset{i}{}s^i+\frac{1}{2}\underset{i}{}\underset{j}{}m_j^i2c$$

From the definition follows that $`\mu (\mathrm{\Omega })`$ is half-integer. Clearly, invariant $`\mu `$ is additive with respect to the disjoint union of stratified surfaces:

$$\mu (\mathrm{\Omega }_1\mathrm{\Omega }_2)=\mu (\mathrm{\Omega }_1)+\mu (\mathrm{\Omega }_2)$$

We say that a connected stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a trivial surface if and only if $`\mu (\mathrm{\Omega })0`$. All trivial surfaces can be easily listed.

###### Lemma 3.1.

Any trivial stratified surface is isomorphic to one of surfaces from the following list:
(1) sphere $`S^2`$ without special points ($`\mu =2`$);
(2) projective plane $`P^2`$ without special points ($`\mu =1`$);
(3) disc $`D^2`$ without special points ($`\mu =1`$);
(4) sphere $`(S^2,p)`$ with a unique interior special point $`p`$ ($`\mu =1`$);
(5) disc $`(D^2,q)`$ with a unique boundary special point $`q`$ and without interior special points ($`\mu =\frac{1}{2}`$);
(6) sphere $`(S^2,p_1,p_2)`$ with two interior special points ($`\mu =0`$);
(7) projective plane $`(P^2,p)`$ with one interior special point ($`\mu =0`$);
(8) torus $`T^2`$ without special points ($`\mu =0`$);
(9) Klein bottle $`𝖪𝗅`$ without special points ($`\mu =0`$);
(10) disc $`(D^2,p)`$ with a unique interior special point and without boundary special points ($`\mu =0`$);
(11) disc $`(D^2,q_1,q_2)`$ with two boundary special points and without interior special points ($`\mu =0`$);
(12) Möbius band $`𝖬𝖻`$ without special points ($`\mu =0`$);
(13) cylinder $`𝖢𝗒𝗅`$ without special points ($`\mu =0`$).

### 3.2. Cut systems

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified surface. A generic not self-intersecting curve $`\gamma \mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called a simple cut. This implies that $`\gamma `$ does not meet any special point and either is (closed) contour consisting purely of interior points, or is a segment, its end points belong to the boundary of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and all interior points of the segment are interior points of the surface.

A set $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of pairwise nonintersecting simple cuts $`\gamma \mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called a cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ (Fig.1a).

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ be two stratified surfaces endowed with cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$. We say that an isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ of stratified surfaces is an isomorphism of pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })`$, $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})`$ if and only if $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma })=\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$.

###### Definition.

A triple $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ consisting of

* a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$;
* a subset $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ such that each connected component of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ coincides with the closure of a one-dimensional stratum of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$;
* an involutive homeomorphism $`\tau :\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ having no fixed points

is called cut surface. In this case pair $`(\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ is called a gluing system.

An isomorphism of cut surfaces $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$, $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}^{},\tau ^{})`$ is an isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{}`$ of stratified surfaces such that $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma }_{})=\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}^{}`$ and $`\tau ^{}\varphi =\varphi \tau `$.

Let $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ be a cut surface. Gluing points $`x`$ and $`\tau (x)`$ we obtain a surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and ’gluing topological map’ $`𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾:\mathrm{\Omega }_{}\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Clearly, stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ induces the stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and the image $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾(\mathrm{\Gamma }_{})`$ is a cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾:(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })`$ is a functor from the category of cut surfaces to the category of pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })`$ (in both categories morphisms are isomorphisms).

Conversely, if $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ then one can construct cut surface $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ as follows. Points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ are points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and pairs $`(x,c)`$, where $`x\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`c`$ is a coorientation of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ in a neighborhood of point $`x`$. The stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ and gluing system $`(\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ are defined evidently (Fig.1b). Clearly, we constructed a functor $`𝖼𝗎𝗍:(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$.

###### Lemma 3.2.

Functors $`𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾`$ and $`𝖼𝗎𝗍`$ establish the equivalence of categories of cut surfaces (with morphisms defined as isomorphisms of cut surfaces) and pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })`$ (with morphisms defined as isomorphisms of pairs).

Proof is skipped.

Let $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ be a cut surface. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ a surface obtained by contracting each connected component of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ to a point. Clearly, the stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ induces the stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. Special points of this stratification are images of special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ and points that are obtained as contracted connected components of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ (Fig.1c). Homeomorphism $`\tau `$ induces the involution of the set of special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ coming from contracted connected components. We denote this involution by the same letter $`\tau `$. Clearly, we have constructed a functor $`𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋:(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ from category of cut surfaces to a category of stratified surfaces.

Therefore, we can assign a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋(𝖼𝗎𝗍(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma }))`$ to any pair $`(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a cut system of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. We call $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ a contracted cut surface and denote it by $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$.

Remark. The set $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_0`$ of special points of a contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ carries an additional structure. Namely, 1) $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_0`$ contains the distingushed subset $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ consisting of special points that are images of special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$; 2) there is fixed involution $`\tau :(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_0\mathrm{\Omega }_0(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_0\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ ($`\tau `$ may have fixed points).

Let us classify simple cuts of a surface as follows. Denote by $`\gamma `$ an arbitrary simple cut of a connected stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of type $`G=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$. Two situations may occur. First, contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\{\gamma \}`$ is a connected surface. Denote its type by $`G_\mathrm{\#}=(g_\mathrm{\#},\epsilon _\mathrm{\#},m_\mathrm{\#},m_{\mathrm{\#}1},\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s})`$. Second, $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\{\gamma \}`$ consists of two connected components. Then type $`G_\mathrm{\#}`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\{\gamma \}`$ is the set of types of its connected components. Denote types of components by
$`G_\mathrm{\#}^i=(g_\mathrm{\#}^i,\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}^i,m_\mathrm{\#}^i,m_{\mathrm{\#}1}^i,\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s^i}^i)`$, where $`i=1,2`$. In this case the image of a special point of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ in $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ belongs to one of components. Thus, $`\gamma `$ induces a division $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0=(\mathrm{\Omega }_0)_1(\mathrm{\Omega }_0)_2`$ of set $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ of special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ into two subsets.

For a cut system $`\gamma `$ consisting of one simple cut we use notations $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\gamma _{},\tau )`$ for cut surface obtained by cutting stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ along $`\gamma `$.

###### Lemma 3.3.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified surface. Then

1. any simple cut $`\gamma `$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ belongs to just one of classes $`19`$ from the list below;
2. the identities between types $`G_\mathrm{\#}`$ and $`G`$ that are written in each item of the list holds.

List of classes of simple cuts

A. In classes 1-4 a simple cut $`\gamma `$ is supposed to be homeomorphic to a circle

Class 1 consists of separating contours (Fig.2a). A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a separating contour if and only if $`\gamma _{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ consists of two contours and surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ consists of two connected components,

$`G=(g_\mathrm{\#}^1+g_\mathrm{\#}^2,\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}^1\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}^2,m_\mathrm{\#}^1+m_\mathrm{\#}^22,m_{\mathrm{\#}1}^1,\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s_1}^1,m_{\mathrm{\#}1}^2,\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s_2}^2)`$

Class 2 consists of cuts of a handle (Fig.2b). A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a cut of a handle if and only if $`\gamma _{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ consists of two contours, $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is connected surface and $`\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}=\epsilon `$,

$`G=(g_\mathrm{\#}+1,\epsilon _\mathrm{\#},m_\mathrm{\#}2,m_{\mathrm{\#}1},\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s})`$.

Class 3 consists of cuts of a neck of Klein bottle (Fig.2c). A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a cut of a neck of Klein bottle if and only if $`\gamma _{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ consists of two contours, $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is connected surface , $`\epsilon =0`$ and $`\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}=1`$,

$`G=(g_\mathrm{\#}+1,0,m_\mathrm{\#}2,m_{\mathrm{\#}1},\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s})`$.

Class 4 consists of Möbius cuts (Fig.2d). A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a Möbius cut if and only if $`\gamma _{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ is connected contour. In this case $`\epsilon =0`$, $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is connected surface , $`\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}`$ is equal either to $`0`$ or to $`1`$,

$`G=(g_\mathrm{\#}+\frac{1}{2},0,m_\mathrm{\#}1,m_{\mathrm{\#}1},\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s})`$.

B. In classes 5-9 a simple cut $`\gamma `$ is supposed to be homeomorphic to a segment. Hence, $`\gamma _{}`$ consists of two disjoint segments.

Class 5 consists of cuts between two holes (Fig.2e). A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a cut between two holes if and only if end points of $`\gamma `$ belong to different boundary contours. In this case $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is a connected surface and in an appropriate numeration of boundary contours we obtain the identity $`G_\mathrm{\#}=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1+m_2+2,m_3,\mathrm{},m_s)`$.

C. In classes 6-9 both boundary points of a segment $`\gamma `$ are supposed to belong to the same boundary contour $`\omega `$. Denote by $`\omega _{}`$ the preimage of $`\omega `$ in cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ and by $`\omega _\mathrm{\#}`$ the image of $`\omega _{}`$ in contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$.

Class 6 consists of separating segments (Fig.2f). A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a separating segment if and only if $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ consists of two connected components. In this case $`\omega _\mathrm{\#}`$ consists of two contours and in an appropriate numeration of boundary contours of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ we obtain the identity

$`G=(g_\mathrm{\#}^1+g_\mathrm{\#}^2,\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}^1\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}^2,m_\mathrm{\#}^1,+m_\mathrm{\#}^2,m_{\mathrm{\#}1}^1+m_{\mathrm{\#}1}^22,m_{\mathrm{\#}2}^1,\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s_1}^1,m_{\mathrm{\#}2}^2,\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s_2}^2)`$.

Class 7 consists of cuts of a handle through a hole (Fig.2g).

A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a cut of a handle through a hole, if and only if $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is connected surface, $`\omega _\mathrm{\#}`$ consists of two contours and $`\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}=\epsilon `$. In this case in an appropriate numeration of boundary contours of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ we obtain the identity

$`G=(g_\mathrm{\#}+1,\epsilon _\mathrm{\#},m_\mathrm{\#},m_{\mathrm{\#}1}+m_{\mathrm{\#}2}2,m_{\mathrm{\#}3},\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s})`$.

Class 8 consists of cuts of a neck of a Klein bottle through a hole (Fig.2h). A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a cut of a neck of a Klein bottle through a hole if and only if $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is connected surface, $`\omega _\mathrm{\#}`$ consists of two contours, $`\epsilon =0`$ and $`\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}=1`$.

In this case in an appropriate numeration of boundary contours of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ we obtain the identity

$`G=(g_\mathrm{\#}+1,0,m_\mathrm{\#},m_{\mathrm{\#}1}+m_{\mathrm{\#}2}2,m_{\mathrm{\#}3},\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s})`$.

Class 9 consists of cuts across Möbius band (Fig.2i). A simple cut $`\gamma `$ is called a cut across Möbius band if and only if boundary contour $`\omega _\mathrm{\#}`$ is connected contour.

In this case $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is a connected surface, $`\epsilon =0`$, $`\epsilon _\mathrm{\#}`$ equals either to $`0`$ or to $`1`$ and in an appropriate numeration of boundary contours of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ we obtain the identity

$`G=(g_\mathrm{\#}+\frac{1}{2},0,m_\mathrm{\#},m_{\mathrm{\#}1}2,m_{\mathrm{\#}2},\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s})`$.

###### Lemma 3.4.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a cut system of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Then $`\mu (\mathrm{\Omega })=\mu (\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})`$, where $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is the contracted cut surface.

###### Proof.

The equality can be easily checked for every class of simple cuts. ∎

###### Definition.

Two cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are called equivalent if there exists an isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of the stratified surfaces conserving all special points, all one-dimensional strata and their orientations, and such that $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})=\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$.

Remark. In this definition the requirement of conserving one-dimensional strata of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is essential only for boundary contours with zero, one or two special points. If a boundary contour contains more that two special points then any isomorfism of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ conserving all special points conservses also all one-dimensional strata on the contour and their orientations.

###### Lemma 3.5.

Two simple cuts $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are equivalent if and only if

1. $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ belong to the same class;
2. types of contracted cut surfaces $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}^{}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}^{\prime \prime }=\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ coincide;
3. if $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ are separating contours or separating segments the divisions of the set of special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, induced by $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$, coincide;
4. if $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ are segments then their end points belong to the same one-dimensional strata.

###### Proof.

Obviously, if $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ are equivalent cuts of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ then conditions (1)–(4) are satisfied.

Conversely, let $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ be simple cuts satisfying conditions (1) – (4). Denote by $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{},\gamma _{}^{},\tau _{}^{})`$ and $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{\prime \prime },\gamma _{}^{\prime \prime },\tau _{}^{\prime \prime })`$ cut surfaces obtained by cutting $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ along $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ resp. Conditions (1) – (4) provide the equality of types of stratified surfaces $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{\prime \prime }`$. Therefore, there exists an isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{\prime \prime }`$ of stratified surfaces. Moreover, it can be easily shown for every class of simple cuts that one can choose $`\varphi `$ satisfying the properties:

* for any special point $`r\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ isomorphism $`\varphi `$ brings the image $`r^{}`$ of $`r`$ in $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{}`$ to the image $`r^{\prime \prime }`$ of $`r`$ in $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}^{\prime \prime }`$
* $`\varphi (\gamma _{}^{})=\gamma _{}^{\prime \prime }`$
* $`\varphi `$ is the isomorphism of cut surfaces, i.e., $`\varphi \tau ^{}=\tau ^{\prime \prime }\varphi `$.

Clearly, $`\varphi `$ generates an homeomorphism $`\overline{\varphi }:\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }`$ such that $`\overline{\varphi }`$ preserves all special points and $`\overline{\varphi }(\gamma ^{})=\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$. ∎

###### Corollary 3.1.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ be two cut systems of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Suppose $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ contains a simple cut $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ contains a simple cut $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ such that $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ are of the same class, types of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ coincide, $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ induces the same division of the set $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ (if applicable) and end points of $`\gamma ^{}`$ and $`\gamma ^{\prime \prime }`$ belong to the same one-dimensional stratum (if applicable). Then there exists a cut system $`\overline{\mathrm{\Gamma }}`$ such that it is equivalent to $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ and contains cut $`\gamma ^{}`$.

Proof is evident.

###### Lemma 3.6.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be two equivalent cut systems of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Fix local orientations in a small neighborhoods of all special points. Then there exists an isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of the stratified surface such that $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})=\mathrm{\Gamma }`$, $`\varphi `$ fixes all special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and preserves an orientation of a small neighborhood of any special point.

Proof is skipped.

###### Lemma 3.7.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ be two cut systems of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Suppose both $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ contain the same simple cut $`\gamma `$. If cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\gamma `$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }\gamma `$ of contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ are equivalent then $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ are equivalent cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

###### Proof.

Suppose, cut systems $`\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{}=\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\gamma `$ and $`\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{\prime \prime }=\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }\gamma `$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ are equivalent. Let $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\gamma _{},\tau _{})`$ be the cut surface, corresponding to the pair $`(\mathrm{\Omega },\gamma )`$. Denote by $`\omega _{}`$ the image of $`\gamma _{}`$ in $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$. Clearly, $`\omega _{}`$ consists of either two or one special point of contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$. Denote by $`U`$ the joint of neighborhoods of points from $`\omega _{}`$ such that $`U(\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{}\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{\prime \prime })=\mathrm{}`$. By lemma 3.6, there exists a homeomorphism $`\stackrel{~}{\varphi }:\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma \mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$, that is identical on $`U`$ and such that $`\stackrel{~}{\varphi }(\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{})=\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{\prime \prime }`$. Thus there exist a homeomorphism $`\varphi _{}:\mathrm{\Omega }_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ such that $`\varphi _{}(\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{})=\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{\prime \prime }`$ and $`\tau _{}\varphi _{}=\varphi _{}\tau _{}`$. Gluing by $`\tau _{}`$ gives a homeomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }`$ such that $`\varphi (\gamma )=\gamma `$, $`\varphi (\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{})=\stackrel{~}{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{\prime \prime }`$ and $`\stackrel{~}{\varphi }`$ fixes all special points. ∎

###### Corollary 3.2.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ be two cut systems of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Suppose $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ is a cut system such that $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$. If cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ are equivalent cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$ then $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ are equivalent cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

### 3.3. Basic and simple surfaces

###### Definition.

A stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called a stable surface if and only if any connected component $`\mathrm{\Omega }_i`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a nontrivial surface (i.e., $`\mu (\mathrm{\Omega }_i)>0`$)

A cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\{\gamma _1,\mathrm{},\gamma _k\}`$ of a stable stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is calledd a stable cut system if and only if the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is also stable.

A connected stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called a basic surface if and only if there is no nonempty stable cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

A cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of a stable stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called a complete cut system if and only if any connected component of the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a basic surface.

Let us formulate several elementary statements. A complete cut system is a stable cut system. Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\{\gamma _1,\mathrm{},\gamma _k\}`$ be a cut system of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Choose a subset $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}=\{\gamma _{i_1},\mathrm{},\gamma _{i_l}\}`$ of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ is a cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and the image of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ in the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ is a cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. If $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a stable (complete) cut system then $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ is a stable (complete) cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. Conversely, a cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ on the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ can be lifted to a cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\overline{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{\prime \prime }`$, where $`\overline{\mathrm{\Gamma }}^{\prime \prime }\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is obtained from $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ in two steps: first, take the preimage of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ in cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$; second, take image of the preimage under glueing map $`𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾:\mathrm{\Omega }_{}\mathrm{\Omega }`$. If $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ is a stable (complete) cut system then $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a stable (complete) cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$.

###### Lemma 3.8.

A basic stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is isomorphic to one of the three stratified surfaces:
(1) sphere $`(S^2,p_1,p_2,p_3)`$ with three interior special points $`p_1`$, $`p_2`$, $`p_3`$ ($`\mu =1`$);
(2) triangle, i.e., disc $`(D^2,q_1,q_2,q_3)`$ with three boundary special points $`q_1`$, $`q_2`$, $`q_3`$ ($`\mu =\frac{1}{2}`$);
(3) disc $`(D,p,q)`$ with one interior special point $`p`$ and one boundary special point $`q`$ ($`\mu =\frac{1}{2}`$).

Proof is elementary

###### Lemma 3.9.

For any stable stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ there exists a complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

###### Proof.

It is sufficient to prove lemma for connected surfaces. If genus $`g`$ of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is not zero, then there exist a cut of a handle or a Möbius cut. Using one of this cuts we reduce the question to a surface with less genus and, by inductive arguments, to a surface of genus zero. After it one can use inductive arguments with respect to the number of special points plus number of boundary contours. For example, if $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ contains at least two interior special points and is not a basic surface then a contour $`\gamma `$ separating a disc with two of these points off the rest of surface is a stable cut and contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ is the disjoint union of a sphere with three interior points and a stable surface with less parameter of induction. We skip elementary details. ∎

Let us describe isomorphism class of complete cut systems for several stratified surfaces.

###### Lemma 3.10.

Denote by $`N`$ be the number of isomorphism classes of complete cut systems of a stratified surfaces. Then
(1) $`N=3`$ for a sphere with four interior special points (Fig.3a);
(2) $`N=2`$ for a Klein bottle with one interior special point (Fig.3b);
(4) $`N=2`$ for a disc with four boundary special points (Fig.3c);
(5) $`N=2`$ for a disc with two boundary special points and one interior special point (Fig.3d);
(6) $`N=3`$ for a disc with one boundary special point and two interior special points (Fig.3e);
(7) $`N=2`$ for a Möbius band with one boundary special point (Fig.3f);
(8) $`N=2`$ for a cylinder having one boundary special point on each boundary contour, two boundary special points in total (Fig.3g).

###### Proof.

(1) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a sphere with four interior special points. Clearly, a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ consists of one separating contour that induces the division of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ into two pairs of special points. By lemma 3.5 two contours inducing the same division are equivalent. Therefore, there are three nonequivalent complete cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_d`$ marked by a partition $`d`$ of the set $`\{1,2,3,4\}`$ into two-element subsets.

(2) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a Klein bottle with one interior special point. Any complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ contains a simple cut $`\gamma `$ such that the genus of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ is less than $`1`$. Clearly, only two cases are possible:

i) $`\gamma =\gamma _k`$, where $`\gamma _k`$ denotes a cut of the neck of the Klein bottle. Clearly, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _k\}`$ is a complete cut system.

ii) $`\gamma =\gamma _m`$, where $`\gamma _m`$ is a Möbius cut. Clearly, there is a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _m,\gamma _m^{}\}`$ consisting of two Möbius cuts and all complete cut systems consisting of two Möbius cuts are equivalent.

(3) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a surface of genus $`g=\frac{3}{2}`$ (i.e., a torus with a hole glued by a Möbius band) having no special points. There are the following stable simple cuts (up to equivalence) of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

* Möbius cut $`\gamma _{m1}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m1}`$ is a torus with one interior special point;
* Möbius cut $`\gamma _{m2}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m2}`$ is a Klein bottle with one interior special point;
* cut of a handle $`\gamma _h`$; in this case $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _h`$ is $`P^2`$ with two interior special points.

Clearly, any complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ contains simple cut $`\gamma `$ reducing the genus of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ by $`\frac{1}{2}`$ (i.e., genus of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ is equal to $`1`$). Hence, $`\gamma `$ is a Möbius cut.

Suppose, $`\gamma =\gamma _{m1}`$. Then, evidently, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _{m1},\gamma _h\}`$ and all complete cut systems containing $`\gamma _{m1}`$ are equivalent.

Suppose, $`\gamma =\gamma _{m2}`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\gamma `$ is a complete cut system of a Klein bottle $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ having one interior special point. By (2) there are two isomorphism classes of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$. Therefore, either $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _{m2}^{},\gamma _{m2}^{\prime \prime }\}`$ or $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_3`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_3=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _h\}`$ (lifting of a cut of the neck of Klein bottle $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ to $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a cut of a handle). The latter is not equivalent to $`\gamma _1`$ because Möbius cuts in them are not equivalent.

(3’) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a surface of genus ($`g=\frac{3}{2}`$) (i.e., a torus with a hole glued by a Möbius band) with one interior special point. There are the following stable simple cuts (up to equivalence) of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

* Möbius cut $`\gamma _{m1}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m1}`$ is a torus with two interior special points;
* Möbius cut $`\gamma _{m2}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m2}`$ is a Klein bottle with two interior special points;
* separating contour $`\gamma _{s1}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s1}`$ consists of two connected components, namely, a torus with one interior special point and $`P^2`$ with two interior special points.
* separating contour $`\gamma _{s2}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s2}`$ consists of two connected components, namely, a Klein bottle with one interior special point and $`P^2`$ with two interior special points;
* cut of a handle $`\gamma _h`$; in this case $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _h`$ is $`P^2`$ with three interior special points.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a separating contour $`\gamma _{s1}`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s1}`$ is the disjoint union of a torus with one interior special point and $`P^2`$ with two interior special points. Clearly, there is only one equivalent class of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s1}`$. The lifting $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ of a complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s1}`$ to $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ consists of the following simple cuts: $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _{m1},\gamma _{s1},\gamma _h\}`$.

Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a separating contour $`\gamma _{s2}`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s2}`$ is the disjoint union of a a Klein bottle with one interior special point and $`P^2`$ with two interior special points. By (2) there are two equivalency classes of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s2}`$. Their liftings to $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are as follows: $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _{s2},\gamma _h\}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_3=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _{m2}^{},\gamma _{m2}^{\prime \prime },\gamma _{s2}\}`$.

Suppose $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ does not contain a separating contour and contains a simple cut $`\gamma _{m1}`$. Therefore, $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m1}`$ is a torus with two interior special points. It can be shown that in this case $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_4`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_4=\{\gamma _{m1},\gamma _h,\gamma _h^{}\}`$.

Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a simple cut $`\gamma _{m2}`$. Therefore, $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m1}`$ is a Klein bottle with two interior special points. It can be shown that in this case $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_5`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_5=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _h,\gamma _h^{}\}`$.

(4) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a disc with four boundary special points. Clearly, any complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ consists of a single simple cut $`\gamma `$, which is separating segment inducing the partition of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ into two pairs of consecutive boundary points. Mark boundary special points by $`0,1,2,3`$ going around boundary contour. There are two isomorphism classes of $`\gamma `$, namely, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _{0,1}\}`$, where $`\gamma _{0,1}`$ separates points $`0,1`$ of $`2,3`$, and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _{1,2}\}`$, where $`\gamma _{1,2}`$ separates points $`1,2`$ of $`3,0`$.

(5) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a a disc with two boundary special points and one interior special point. Clearly, any complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ consists of a single simple cut $`\gamma `$, which is separating segment, its end points belong to the same segment of the boundary and $`\gamma `$ surrounds the interior special points. Thus, there are two isomorphism classes of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, namely, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _l\}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _r\}`$, where end points of $`\gamma _l`$ (resp. $`\gamma _r`$) belong to the ’left’ (resp. ’right’) segment of the boundary contour.

(6) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a a disc with one boundary special point and two interior special points. Clearly, there are three isomorphism classes of complete cut systems. First of them, denoted by $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$, consists of a single separating contour $`\gamma _o`$. Each of two other complete cut systems, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_3`$ consist of two separating segments $`\gamma _s`$, $`\gamma _s^{}`$, such that end points of any segment belong to the same segment of the boundary and the segment surrounds one interior special points. The only difference is the order of end points of two segments with respect to a fixed orientation of the boundary contour.

(7) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a a Möbius band with one boundary special point. Clearly, there are two isomorphism classes of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. They are as follows.

$`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _m\}`$, where $`\gamma _m`$ is a Möbius cut of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

$`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _{mh}\}`$, where $`\gamma _{mh}`$ is a cut across Möbius band.

(8) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a a cylinder having one boundary special point on each boundary contour, two boundary special points in total. Clearly, there are two isomorphism classes of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. They are as follows.

$`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _s\}`$, where $`\gamma _s`$ is a separating contour.

$`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _{sh}\}`$, where $`\gamma _{sh}`$ is a cut between two holes.

###### Definition.

Stratified surfaces (1) – (8) from list in lemma 3.10 are called simple stratified surfaces.

### 3.4. Neighboring complete cut systems

In this subsection we deal with complete cut systems of a fixed stratified surface. It is supposed that any boundary contour of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ contains at least one special point.

We call a pair of complete cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ an adjacent pair if the following condition holds. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$ the joint of all simple cuts that belongs to $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$ simultaneously and denote by $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$. Both $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$ give rise to the complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. The condition is that cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$ belong to the same connected component of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ and this component is a simple surface.

We call isomorphism classes $`C_1`$ and $`C_2`$ of complete cut systems an adjacent classes if and only if there exists representatives $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1C_1`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2C_2`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$ are adjacent complete cut systems.

We call two isomorphism classes $`C^{}`$, $`C^{\prime \prime }`$ of complete cut systems a neighboring classes if and only if there exists a sequence of isomorphism class $`C_1,\mathrm{},C_k`$ such that $`C_1=C^{}`$, $`C_k=C^{\prime \prime }`$ and $`C_i`$ is adjacent to $`C_{i+1}`$ for $`i=1,\mathrm{},k1`$. We call two complete cut systems from neighboring isomorphism classes neighbors.

We call a stable surface an almost simple surface if and only if it is isomorphic to one of the following stratified surfaces:
(1) a disc with two or less interior special points and an arbitrary number of boundary special points;
(2) a cylinder with at most one interior special points and an arbitrary number of boundary special points;
(3) a Möbius band with at most one interior special points and an arbitrary number of boundary special points.
(4) a surface of genus ($`g=\frac{3}{2}`$) (i.e., a torus with a hole glued by a Möbius band) having no special points or with one interior special point.

###### Lemma 3.11.

All complete cut systems of an almost simple stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are neighbors.

###### Proof.

If $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a disc without interior special points then the statement of lemma can be reformulated in terms of triangulations of a polygon and follows from the connectedness of an associhedron .

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a disc with one interior special point. Then the statement of lemma in this case follows from the following claims.

1) Any complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ contains a unique simple cut $`\gamma `$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ consists of two connected components and one of components is a disc with one interior and one boundary special points. Let us call a cut of this type a type H cut. Obviously end points of $`\gamma `$ belong to the same boundary segment.

2) All complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ containing fixed cut $`\gamma `$ of type H are neighbours.

3) A complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ containing $`\gamma `$ of type H is adjacent to a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ containing a cut $`\gamma ^{}`$ of type H such that its end points lie on the neighbor segment to a segment containing end points of $`\gamma `$.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a disc with two interior special point. In this case the following claims leads to the proof of lemma.

1) A complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains either two cuts of type H or a contour separating a disc with two interior special points from the rest of surface. We call the last cut a cut of type P.

2) A complete cut system containing a cut of type H is a neighbor of a complete cut system containing a cut of type P.

3) All complete cut systems containing a fixed cut $`\gamma `$ of type H are neighbors.

4) A complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ containing $`\gamma `$ of type H is adjacent to a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ containing a cut $`\gamma ^{}`$ of type H such that its end points lie on the neighbor segment to a segment containing end points of $`\gamma `$.

5)Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a surface of genus $`g=\frac{3}{2}`$ (i.e., a torus with a hole glued by a Möbius band) having no special points. We will prove that there are just 3 nonequivalent complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and all of them are neighbours.

There are the following stable simple cuts (up to equivalence) of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

* Möbius cut $`\gamma _{m1}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m1}`$ is a torus with one interior special point;
* Möbius cut $`\gamma _{m2}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m2}`$ is a Klein bottle with one interior special point;
* cut of a handle $`\gamma _h`$; in this case $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _h`$ is $`P^2`$ with two interior special points.

Clearly, any complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ contains simple cut $`\gamma `$ reducing the genus of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ by $`\frac{1}{2}`$ (i.e., genus of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ is equal to $`1`$). Hence, $`\gamma `$ is a Möbius cut.

Suppose, $`\gamma =\gamma _{m1}`$. Then, evidently, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _{m1},\gamma _h\}`$ and all complete cut systems containing $`\gamma _{m1}`$ are equivalent.

Suppose, $`\gamma =\gamma _{m2}`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\gamma `$ is a complete cut system of a Klein bottle $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ having one interior special point. By (2) there are two isomorphism classes of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$. Therefore, either $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _{m2}^{},\gamma _{m2}^{\prime \prime }\}`$ or $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_3`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_3=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _h\}`$ (lifting of a cut of the neck of Klein bottle $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ to $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a cut of a handle). The latter is not equivalent to $`\gamma _1`$ because Möbius cuts in them are not equivalent.

Finally, it can be easely shown, that $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$ is a neighbor of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_3`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ is a neighbor of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_3`$. Indeed, both cut systems in a pair have equivalent simple cut.

(5’) Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a surface of genus ($`g=\frac{3}{2}`$) (i.e., a torus with a hole glued by a Möbius band) with one interior special point.

We will prove that there are just 5 nonequivalent complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and all of them are neighbours.

There are the following stable simple cuts (up to equivalence) of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

* Möbius cut $`\gamma _{m1}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m1}`$ is a torus with two interior special points;
* Möbius cut $`\gamma _{m2}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m2}`$ is a Klein bottle with two interior special points;
* separating contour $`\gamma _{s1}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s1}`$ consists of two connected components, namely, a torus with one interior special point and $`P^2`$ with two interior special points.
* separating contour $`\gamma _{s2}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s2}`$ consists of two connected components, namely, a Klein bottle with one interior special point and $`P^2`$ with two interior special points;
* cut of a handle $`\gamma _h`$; in this case $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _h`$ is $`P^2`$ with three interior special points.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a separating contour $`\gamma _{s1}`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s1}`$ is the disjoint union of a torus with one interior special point and $`P^2`$ with two interior special points. Clearly, there is only one equivalent class of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s1}`$. The lifting $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ of a complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s1}`$ to $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ consists of the following simple cuts: $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1=\{\gamma _{m1},\gamma _{s1},\gamma _h\}`$.

Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a separating contour $`\gamma _{s2}`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s2}`$ is the disjoint union of a a Klein bottle with one interior special point and $`P^2`$ with two interior special points. By (2) there are two equivalency classes of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{s2}`$. Their liftings to $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are as follows: $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _{s2},\gamma _h\}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_3=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _{m2}^{},\gamma _{m2}^{\prime \prime },\gamma _{s2}\}`$.

Suppose $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ does not contain a separating contour and contains a simple cut $`\gamma _{m1}`$. Therefore, $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m1}`$ is a torus with two interior special points. It can be shown that in this case $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_4`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_4=\{\gamma _{m1},\gamma _h,\gamma _h^{}\}`$.

Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a simple cut $`\gamma _{m2}`$. Therefore, $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma _{m1}`$ is a Klein bottle with two interior special points. It can be shown that in this case $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\mathrm{\Gamma }_5`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_5=\{\gamma _{m2},\gamma _h,\gamma _h^{}\}`$.

Like in the case (5), it can be easely shown, that $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ is a neighbor of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ is a neighbor of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_4`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_3`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_5`$ are neighbors. Indeed, both cut systems in each pair have equivalent simple cut.

6) For the rest of almost simple surfaces the proof is by similar arguments, we skip them here.

A pair of complete cut systems is said to be parallel if they contain at least one common simple cut. A pair of isomorphism classes of complete cut systems is said to be parallel if there exists parallel representatives of the classes.

###### Lemma 3.12.

All complete cut systems of an orientable surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ without a boundary are neighbors.

###### Proof.

We use inductive arguments with respect to genus $`g`$ of the surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. The statement of lemma is known for the sphere . If $`g>0`$ then any complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a cut of a handle. By lemmas 3.5 and corollary 3.1, any pair of isomorphism classes of complete cut systems is parallel. The proof follows from lemma 3.7 and the inductive arguments. ∎

A simple cut $`\gamma `$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called projective if it is a Möbius cut and $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ is a nonorientable surface.

###### Lemma 3.13.

All complete cut systems of a nonorientable surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ without a boundary are neighbors.

###### Proof.

We use inductive arguments with respect to genus $`g`$ of the surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

If $`g=\frac{1}{2}`$ then any complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ contains a Möbius cut. By lemma 3.12 and 3.7, we obtain that all complete cut systems are neighbors. Similar arguments are valid for $`g=1`$. Using a slightly more complicated reasoning one can prove lemma for $`g=\frac{3}{2}`$.

Let $`g>\frac{3}{2}`$ and lemma is proven for smaller genera. It can be shown, that any complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a simple cut $`\gamma `$ such that genus $`g_\mathrm{\#}`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ is less than the genus of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ is nonorientable. By inductive arguments, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\gamma `$ is equivalent to a complete cut system containing a projective cut. By lemma 3.7, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is equivalent to a complete cut system containing a projective cut. Therefore, all isomorphism classes of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are parallel. The proof of lemma is completed by inductive arguments using lemma 3.7. ∎

A stable cut $`\gamma `$ of a connected stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called normal if it is either a contour or a separating segment such that one of the connected components of a contracted cut surface is homeomorphic to a disk without interior special points (no restrictions for boundary special points). If $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is disconnected stratified surface then $`\gamma `$ is said normal if it is a normal cut of a connected component of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

Clearly, any simple cut of a stratified surface without boundary is normal.

We call a simple cut, that is not normal cut, a special cut.

###### Definition.

A complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is called normal cut system if $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ consists of normal simple cuts only.

For example, any complete cut system of a stratified surface without boundary is normal.

Clearly, if $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a normal cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_0\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a subsystem of cuts then $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$ is normal cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }_0`$.

###### Lemma 3.14.

Any stable surface admits a normal complete cut system.

###### Proof.

The proof is by inductive arguments with respect to the genus and the number of boundary contours. The step of induction is from $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ to $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ where $`\gamma `$ is a normal cut. ∎

###### Lemma 3.15.

All normal cut systems of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are neighbors.

###### Proof.

If $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a surfaces without a boundary then the lemma follows from lemmas 3.12 and 3.13.

If $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a disk without interior special points then the lemma follows from lemma 3.11.

In order to prove the lemma for an arbitrary $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ we use inductive arguments with respect to the number of boundary contours. Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ be normal cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Let $`\omega `$ be a boundary contour of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. It can be easily shown that any normal cut system contains a separating oval $`\gamma `$ with the following properties. The connected component of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ that contains $`\omega `$ is homeomorphic to a disc with one interior special point (coming from $`\gamma `$). The homotopy class of $`\gamma `$ does not depend on the choice of a normal cut system. Therefore, all isomorphism classes of normal cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are parallel. The proof of the lemma is completed by inductive arguments. ∎

###### Lemma 3.16.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stable surface and $`\gamma `$ be a stable special cut of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is not a simple or almost simple surface. Then there exists a normal cut $`\gamma ^{}`$ homeomorphic to an oval such that $`\{\gamma ,\gamma ^{}\}`$ is a stable cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

###### Proof.

If contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ admits a stable simple cut homeomorphic to an oval then the claim of lemma is obviously true. Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ does not admit a simple cut with this property. Then any connected component of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is either a basic surface or a disk with no more than one interior special point. It can be proven by exhaustion that $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is either a simple or almost simple surface. ∎

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a complete cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_n`$ the subset of all normal cuts from $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$. $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is called an almost normal if one connected component of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }_n`$ is either a simple or an almost simple surface and all other connected components are basic surfaces.

By lemmas 3.11 and 3.14, we obtain the following statement.

###### Lemma 3.17.

Any almost normal cut system has a neighbor that is a normal cut system.

###### Lemma 3.18.

Any special stable cut $`\gamma `$ can be included in an almost normal complete cut system.

###### Proof.

Use inductive arguments with respect to genus, number of boundary contours and number of interior special points.

If $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is either a simple or an almost simple surfaces then the claim of lemma is trivial.

Otherwise choose a normal simple cut $`\gamma ^{}`$ provided by lemma 3.16. By inductive hypothesis, there exists an almost normal cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_\mathrm{\#}`$ of the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma ^{}`$ such that $`\gamma \mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. Clearly, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_\mathrm{\#}\gamma ^{}`$ is an almost simple cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. ∎

###### Theorem 3.1.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be an arbitrary stable stratified surface. Then all complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are neighbors.

###### Proof.

By lemma 3.15, it is sufficient to prove that any complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is the neighbor of a normal cut system. Use inductive arguments with respect to the number of special cuts. Suppose, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains $`n>0`$ special cuts. Let $`\gamma \mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a special cut. By lemma 3.18, there exists an almost normal cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ such that $`\gamma \mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$.

By inductive hypothesis, complete cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\gamma `$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\gamma `$ of the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ are neighbors. Therefore, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ are neighbors. By lemma 3.17, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ is the neighbor of a normal cut system. Hence, $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is the neighbor of a normal cut system. ∎

## 4. Two-dimensional topological field theory

In this section we use results of sections 2 and 3 in order to define a Klien topological field theory (subsection 4.1), reformulate it in terms of systems of correlators as it is usually done in physical literature (subsections 4.2) and prove the main theorem 4.4 , which states the correspondence between KTFT and structure algebras (subsection 4.3, 4.4). As a corollary we get an analog of this theorem for open-closed topological field theoris and prove that any massive open-closed topological field theory can be extended to a Klein topological field theory (subsection 4.5).

### 4.1. Definition of Klein topological field theory

First, we shall fix a tensor category of surfaces (a ’basic’ category $`2𝒟`$) and a functor from it to the tensor category of vector spaces.

A set of local orientations. For any special point $`rQ`$ fix an orientation $`o_r`$ of its small neighborhood. Denote the set of these local orientations by $`𝒪`$. Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a connected stratified surface. A set $`𝒪`$ of local orientations is called admissible if and only if either $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is orientable surface and all local orientations are induced by an orientation of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ (Fig.4a) or $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a nonorientable surface and local orientations at all special points from any boundary contour $`\omega _i`$ are compatible with one of orientations of $`\omega _i`$ (Fig.4b). Thus, there are two admissible sets of local orientations in the former case and there are $`2^s`$, where $`s`$ is a number of connected components of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, admissible sets of local orientations in the latter case.

A set of local orientations for disconnected $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is said admissible if and only if it is admissible for each connected component of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

###### Lemma 4.1.

Let $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$ and $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime },𝒪^{\prime \prime })`$ be two pairs consisting of stratified surfaces and admissible sets of local orientations at special points. If stratified surfaces $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime }`$ are isomorphic then there exists an isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }^{}\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime }`$ such that $`\varphi (𝒪^{})=𝒪^{\prime \prime }`$.

Proof follows from standard properties of surfaces.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified surface. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Omega }_a`$ the set of all interior special points and by $`\mathrm{\Omega }_b`$ the set of all boundary special points. Put also $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0=\mathrm{\Omega }_a\mathrm{\Omega }_b`$. Fix a local orientation $`o_r`$ in a small neighborhood of any special point $`r\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ and denote by $`𝒪`$ the set of all these local orientations. Pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)`$ are objects of the basic category $`2𝒟`$. Morphisms are any combinations of morphisms of types 1)-4).

1) Isomorphism $`\varphi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$. By definition, $`\varphi `$ is an isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ of stratified surfaces compatible with local orientations at special points.

2) Changing of local orientations $`\psi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪^{})`$. Thus, there is one such morphism for any pair $`(𝒪,𝒪^{})`$ of sets of local orientations on a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

3) Adding a special point $`\xi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$. Morphism $`\xi `$ depends on a point $`r\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ endowed with a local orientation $`o_r`$. By definition, topological surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ coincides with surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. The stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ is defined as a refinement of the stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ by additional point $`r`$. Therefore, $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0^{}=\mathrm{\Omega }_0\{r\}`$. Local orientation $`o_r`$ completes the set of local orientations, i.e., $`𝒪^{}=𝒪\{o_r\}`$.

4) Cutting $`\eta :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})`$. Morphism $`\eta `$ depends on a cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ endowed with orientations of all simple cuts $`\gamma \mathrm{\Gamma }`$. $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is defined as contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$. Stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ inherits special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and local orientations at any of them. A special point $`r(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_0\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ appears as contracted connected component of a cut contour $`\gamma _{}`$ in cut manifold $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$. In obvious way the orientation of simple cut $`\gamma `$ induces the local orientation at $`r`$. The set of all these local orientations at all points of $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_0`$ form the set $`𝒪_\mathrm{\#}`$.

Disjoint union provides monoidal structure on the category $`2𝒟`$.

We shall define below a functor $`(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)V(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)`$ from the basic category of surfaces to the category of vector spaces.

Let $`\{X_m|mM\}`$ be a finite set of $`n=|M|`$ vector spaces $`X_m`$. The action of symmetric group $`S_n`$ on the set $`\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ induces its action on the linear space $`\left(_{\sigma :\{1,\mathrm{},n\}M}X_{\sigma (1)}\mathrm{}X_{\sigma (n)}\right)`$, an element $`sS_n`$ takes $`X_{\sigma (1)}\mathrm{}X_{\sigma (n)}`$ to $`X_{\sigma (s(1))}\mathrm{}X_{\sigma (s(n))}`$. Denote by $`_{mM}X_m`$ the subspace of all invariants of this action.

Vector space $`_{mM}X_m`$ is canonically isomorphic to a tensor product of all $`X_m`$ in any fixed order, the isomorphism is a projection of vector space $`_{mM}X_m`$ to the summand that is equal to the tensor product of $`X_m`$ in a given order. Assume that all $`X_m`$ are equal to a fixed vector space $`X`$. Then any bijection $`MM^{}`$ of sets induces the isomorphism $`_{mM}X_m_{m^{}M^{}}X_m^{}`$.

Let $`A`$ and $`B`$ be finite dimensional vector spaces over complex numbers endowed with involutive transformations $`AA`$ and $`BB`$, which we denote by $`xx^{}`$ ($`xA`$) and $`yy`$ ($`yB`$) resp.

Let $`(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)`$ be a pair consisting of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and a set $`𝒪`$ of local orientations at its special points. Assign a copy $`A_p`$ of a vector space $`A`$ to any point $`p\mathrm{\Omega }_a`$ and a copy $`B_q`$ of a vector space $`B`$ to any point $`q\mathrm{\Omega }_b`$. Elements of $`A_p`$ (resp. $`B_q`$) are called interior (resp. boundary) fields. Put $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}A_p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}B_q)`$.

For any morphism of pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$ define a morphism of vector spaces $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ as follows.

1) An isomorphism $`\varphi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$ induces the isomorphism $`\varphi _{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ because $`\varphi `$ generates the bijections $`\mathrm{\Omega }_a\mathrm{\Omega }_a^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }_b\mathrm{\Omega }_b^{}`$ of sets of special points.

2) For a changing of local orientations $`\psi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪^{})`$ define a linear map $`\psi _{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ as $`(_{r\mathrm{\Omega }_0}\psi _r)`$, where for any $`r\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$

$$\psi _r(x)=\{\begin{array}{cc}x\hfill & \text{ if }o_r=o_r^{}\hfill \\ x^{}\hfill & \text{ if }o_r=o_r^{}\hfill \end{array}$$

3) In order to define a morphism $`\xi _{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ for adding a special point $`\xi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$ we need to fix elements $`1_AA`$ and $`1_BB`$. These notations of elements are motivated in the frame of a Klein topological field theory, where they are ’trivial fields’.

In this case there exists a canonical isomorphism $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}=V_\mathrm{\Omega }X`$, where $`X`$ is equal either to $`A`$ (if adding special point $`r`$ belongs to the interior of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$) or to $`B`$ (if adding special point $`r`$ belongs to the boundary of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$). For $`xV_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ put $`\xi _{}(x)=x1_X`$, where $`1_X`$ is either $`1_A`$ or $`1_B`$ resp.

4) In order to define a morphism $`\eta _{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_{\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}}`$ for any cutting morphism $`\eta :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})`$ we need to fix elements $`\widehat{K}_{A,}AA`$, $`\widehat{K}_{B,}BB`$ and $`UA`$. (Notations of them will be clear from the sequel.)

Evidently, it is sufficient to define $`\eta _{}`$ for an arbitrary oriented simple cut $`\gamma \mathrm{\Omega }`$. In this case we have a canonical isomorphism $`V_{\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}}=V_\mathrm{\Omega }X`$, where

$$X=\{\begin{array}{cc}AA\hfill & \text{ if }\gamma \text{ is an contour and is not Möbius cut}\hfill \\ BB\hfill & \text{ if }\gamma \text{ is a segment}\hfill \\ A\hfill & \text{ if }\gamma \text{ is a Möbius cut}\hfill \end{array}$$

For $`xV_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ put $`\eta _{}(x)=xz`$, where $`z`$ is either $`\widehat{K}_{A,}`$, or $`\widehat{K}_{B,}`$, or $`U`$ resp.

Finally, for the tensor product $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})(\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime },𝒪^{\prime \prime })`$ of objects of the category $`2𝒟`$ there is evident canonical linear map $`\theta _{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}V_{\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime }}V_{\mathrm{\Omega }^{}\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime }}`$

We say that a set of data $`𝒯=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\})`$, where $`A`$ and $`B`$ are linear spaces, $`xx^{}`$ and $`yy^{}`$ are involutive linear transformations of $`A`$ and $`B`$ resp., $`\{\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\}`$ is a system of linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }`$, is a Klein topological field theory if the following axioms are satisfied.

$`1^{}`$ Topological invariance.

For any isomorphism of pairs $`\varphi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$ the following identity holds

$$\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})}(\varphi _{}(x).)$$

$`2^{}`$ Invariance of a change of local orientations.

For any change of local orientations $`\psi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪^{})`$ the following identity holds

$$\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪^{})}(\psi _{}(x)).$$

$`3^{}`$ Nondegeneracy.

Define first a bilinear form $`(x,x^{})_A`$ on vector space $`A`$. Namely, let $`(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)`$ be a pair, where $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a sphere with 2 interior special points $`p,p^{}`$ and the set $`𝒪=\{o_p,o_p^{}\}`$ is such that local orientations $`o_p`$, $`o_p^{}`$ induce the same global orientations of the sphere. Put $`(x,x^{})_A=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(x_px_p^{}^{})`$, where $`x_p`$ and $`x_p^{}^{}`$ are images of $`xA`$ and $`x^{}A`$ in $`A_p`$ and $`A_p^{}`$ resp. The correctness of this definition follows from axioms $`1^{}`$ and $`2^{}`$. Evidently, $`(x,x^{})_A`$ is a symmetric bilinear form.

Similarly, define a bilinear form $`(y,y^{})_B`$ on vector space $`B`$ using a disc with 2 boundary special points $`q,q^{}`$ instead of a sphere with two interior special points $`p,p^{}`$. As in the previous case local orientations $`o_q`$, $`o_q^{}`$ must induce the same global orientations of the disc. Evidently, $`(y,y^{})_B`$ is a symmetric bilinear form.

Axiom is that both forms $`(x,x^{})_A`$ and $`(y,y^{})_B`$ are nondegenerate.

$`4^{}`$ Invariance of adding unit fields.

Axioms $`1^{}3^{}`$ allows us to choose elements $`1_AA`$, $`1_BB`$. Indeed, let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a sphere with one special point $`p`$ and $`o_p`$ be a local orientation at $`p`$. Then linear form $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\{o_p\})}`$ is an element of the vector space dual to $`A`$. Identify dual vector space with $`A`$ by means of nondegenerate bilinear form $`(.,.)_A`$. Thus, we obtain an element of $`A`$, which we denote by $`1_A`$. Analogously, starting from a disc with one boundary special point we obtain an element of $`B`$, which we denote by $`1_B`$. An element $`1_A`$ (resp. $`1_B`$) is called trivial interior (resp. boundary) field. We shall use just these elements in the definition of morphisms $`\xi _{}`$ of type 3).

Axiom is that for any adding of special point $`\xi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$ the following identity holds

$$\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})}(\xi _{}(x)).$$

$`5^{}`$ Cut invariance.

Axioms $`1^{}3^{}`$ allows us to choose elements $`\widehat{K}_{A,}AA`$, $`\widehat{K}_{B,}BB`$ and $`UA`$. Indeed, any nondegenerate bilinear form on a vector space $`X`$ canonically defines an element $`\widehat{K}_XXX`$. Taking forms $`(x,x^{})_{A,}=(x,x_{}^{}{}_{}{}^{})_A`$ and $`(y,y^{})_{B,}=(y,y_{}^{}{}_{}{}^{})_B`$ we obtain elements $`\widehat{K}_{A,}`$ and $`\widehat{K}_{B,}`$.

Linear form $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for a projective plane $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ with one interior special point is an element of the vector space dual to $`A`$. We denote by $`U`$ the image of this element in $`A`$ under the isomorphism induced by nondegenerate bilinear form $`(x,x^{})_A`$.

We shall use just these elements for morphisms $`\eta _{}`$ of type 4).

Axiom is that for any cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ endowed with orientations of all simple cuts the following identity is required

$$\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})}(\eta _{}(x))$$

(here $`\eta _{}`$ depends on $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$, see 4) above)

$`6^{}`$ Multiplicativity.

Axiom is that the product $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})(\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime },𝒪^{\prime \prime })`$ of any two pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$ and $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime },𝒪^{\prime \prime })`$ the following identity holds

$$\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})}(x_1)\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime },𝒪^{\prime \prime })}(x_2)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{}\mathrm{\Omega }^{\prime \prime },𝒪^{}𝒪^{\prime \prime })}(\theta _{}(x_1x_2))$$

###### Definition.

Klein topological field theories $`𝒯=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\})`$ and $`𝒯^{}=(A^{},xx^{^{}},B^{},yy^{^{}},\{\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}^{}\})`$ are called isomorphic if there exist isomorphisms $`\phi _A:AA^{}`$, $`\phi _B:BB^{}`$ of vector spaces such that $`\phi _A(x^{})=\phi _A(x)^{^{}}`$, $`\phi _B(y^{})=\phi _B(y)^{^{}}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}^{}(\phi _\mathrm{\Omega }(z))=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(z)`$ where $`zV_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\phi _\mathrm{\Omega }:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ is the isomorphism induced by $`\phi _A`$ and $`\phi _B`$

The example of a Klein topological field theory is given in section 5.

### 4.2. Correlators of Klein topological field theory

Axioms of a topological field theory can be reformulated in terms of so called ’systems of correlators’. In terms of correlators the dependence of a linear form $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ on an individual stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ endowed with a set of local orientations $`𝒪`$ is reduced to the dependence on a topological type $`G=(g,\epsilon ,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ of a surface.

In this section we present the reformulation of a Klein topological field theory in terms of correlators. Let $`A`$ and $`B`$ be two linear spaces, $`xx^{}`$ and $`yy^{}`$ be fixed involutive transformations of $`A`$ and $`B`$ resp.

Denote by $`G=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ a data that are the topological type of a connected stratified surface.

We assume throughout this section that

* $`m_i>0`$ for $`i=1,\mathrm{},s`$ ($`m`$ may be zero; $`s`$ may be zero)
* $`m+m_i>0`$
* numbers $`m_i`$ are given in ascending ordered $`m_1m_2\mathrm{}m_s`$.

Denote by $`V_G`$ tensor product $`A^mB^{(m_1+\mathrm{}+m_s)}`$ of vector spaces.

For any $`G`$ fix one linear function $`f_G:V_G`$. According to the style of notations used in field theories we denote corresponding polylinear function as follows:

$$x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_{(g,\epsilon )}:=f_G(z),$$

where $`z=x_1\mathrm{}x_my_1^1\mathrm{}y_{m_1}^1\mathrm{}y_1^s\mathrm{}y_{m_s}^sV_G`$.

Note that vector spaces $`V_G`$ and $`V_G^{}`$ coincide for some $`GG^{}`$ but corresponding polylinear functions ’remember’ all data from $`G=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ due to bracketing of arguments. We call a bracket $`(y_1^j,\mathrm{},y_{m_j}^j)`$ a block of arguments.

We use capital letters $`X,X_1`$ etc. to denote subsets consisting of several $`x_i`$ and several blocks of arguments. For example, $`x_1,X_{g,\epsilon }`$, where
$`X=(x_2,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s))`$ denotes a function
$`x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_{g,\epsilon }`$.

We write down $`X_G`$ instead of $`X_{g,\epsilon }`$ in order to emphasize explicitly the dependence on a type $`G`$.

We denote by $`X_a`$ the set of all $`x_i`$ in a correlator and we denote by $`X_b`$ the set of all blocks of arguments. Thus, we write down

$`X_G=X_a,X_b_G=x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_{g,\epsilon }`$

We use capital letters $`Y,Y_1,`$ etc. to denote sequential sets of arguments in a block. For example, $`X,(y_1^s,Y)_{g,\epsilon }`$, where

$`X=(x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^{s1},\mathrm{},y_{m_{s1}}^{s1}))`$ and $`Y=(y_2^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)`$, denotes polylinear function

$`x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_{g,\epsilon }`$.

For an arbitrary $`Y=(y_1,\mathrm{},y_k)`$ put $`Y^{}=(y_k^{},\mathrm{},y_1^{})`$.

Choose a basis $`E_A`$ of $`A`$ and $`E_B`$ of $`B`$ and denote basic elements by $`\alpha ,\alpha ^{},\mathrm{}E_A`$ and $`\beta ,\beta ^{},\mathrm{}E_B`$. Then we can present $`f_G`$ as a tensor

$$\alpha _1,\mathrm{},\alpha _m,(\beta _1^1,\mathrm{},\beta _{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(\beta _1^s,\mathrm{},\beta _{m_s}^s)_{(g,\epsilon )}$$

Let $`𝒞=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{X_G\})`$ be a set of data consisting of

* linear spaces $`A`$ and $`B`$,
* involutive linear transformations $`xx^{}`$ ($`xA`$) and $`yy^{}`$ ($`yB`$) of $`A`$ and $`B`$ resp.,
* polylinear function $`X_G`$ for any topological type $`G=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ of a stratified surface .

###### Definition.

A set of data $`𝒞=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{X_G\})`$ is called a system of correlators and any function $`X_G`$ is called a correlator if and only if the following axioms hold.
(i) Any correlator $`x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_{g,\epsilon }`$ is invariant with respect to a permutation of $`x_i`$, a permutation of blocks $`(y_1^i,\mathrm{},y_{m_i}^i)`$ of equal size, a cyclic permutations of arguments inside each block $`(y_1^i,\mathrm{},y_{m_i}^i)`$.
(ii) If $`\epsilon =1`$ then a correlator is invariant with respect to replacing of $`x_i`$ by $`x_i^{}`$ and block $`Y^j=(y_1^j,\mathrm{},y_{m_j}^j)`$ by $`(Y^j)^{}`$ for all $`i=1,\mathrm{},m`$, $`j=1,\mathrm{},s`$ simultaneously.

If $`\epsilon =0`$ then a correlator is invariant with respect to replacing of $`x_i`$ by $`x_i^{}`$ for any fixed $`i`$ and with respect to replacing a block $`Y^j=(y_1^j,\mathrm{},y_{m_j}^j)`$ by $`(Y^j)^{}`$ for any fixed $`j`$.
(iii) Bilinear maps $`x_1,x_2_{0,1}`$ and $`(y_1,y_2)_{0,1}`$ are nondegenerate bilinear forms on $`A`$ and $`B`$ resp.; below we denote them by $`(x_1,x_2)_A`$ and $`(y_1,y_2)_B`$ resp.
(iv) Fix a basis $`E_A=\{\alpha \}`$ of $`A`$ and a basis $`E_B=\{\beta \}`$ of $`B`$. Denote by $`F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}`$ the tensor dual to the tensor $`F_{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}`$ of bilinear form $`(\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime })_A`$, by $`F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}`$ the tensor dual to the tensor $`F_{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}:=(\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime })_B`$ and by $`D^\alpha `$ the tensor obtained by lifting the index of tensor $`D_\alpha =\alpha _{\frac{1}{2},0}`$. Axiom is that for arbitrary sets $`X`$, $`X_1`$, $`X_2`$, $`Y_1`$, $`Y_2`$ of arguments denoted according to the conventions described above the relations $`(1)(9)`$ hold.

$$(1)X_1,X_2_{g_1+g_2,\epsilon _1\epsilon _2}=\underset{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }E_A}{}X_1,\alpha ^{}_{g_1,\epsilon _1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{\prime \prime },X_2_{g_2,\epsilon _2}$$

$$(2)X_{g+1,\epsilon }=\underset{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }E_A}{}X,\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }_{g,\epsilon }F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}$$

$$(3)X_{g+1,0}=\underset{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }E_A}{}X,\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}_{g,1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}$$

$$(4)X_{g+\frac{1}{2};0}=\underset{\alpha ^{}E_A}{}X,\alpha ^{}_{g,\epsilon }D^\alpha ^{}$$

$$(5)X,(Y_1),(Y_2)_{g,\epsilon }=\underset{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }E_B}{}X,(Y_1,\beta ^{},Y_2,\beta ^{\prime \prime })_{g,\epsilon }F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}$$

$$(6)X_1,X_2,(Y_1,Y_2)_{g_1+g_2,\epsilon _1\epsilon _2}=\underset{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }E_B}{}X_1,(Y_1,\beta ^{})_{g_1,\epsilon _1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}X_2,(Y_2,\beta ^{\prime \prime })_{g_2,\epsilon _2}$$

$$(7)X,(Y_1,Y_2)_{g+1,\epsilon }=\underset{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }E_B}{}X,(Y_1,\beta ^{}),(Y_2,\beta ^{\prime \prime })_{g,\epsilon }F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}$$

$$(8)X,(Y_1,Y_2)_{g+1,0}=\underset{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }E_B}{}X,(Y_1,\beta ^{}),(Y_2^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{})_{g,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}$$

$$(9)X,(Y_1,Y_2)_{g+\frac{1}{2},0}=\underset{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }E_B}{}X,(Y_1,\beta ^{},Y_2^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{})_{g,\epsilon }F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}$$

Remark. We pay no attention to the order in which blocks of arguments are written in a correlator because due to (i) of the definition of systems of correlators all orderings of blocks in ascending order of their size give the same function.

Remark. We shall define a correlator for a type $`\overline{G}`$ of disconnected surfaces. First, fix any ordering of all types $`G`$ of connected stratified surfaces (use for example the lexicographic ordering). A type $`\overline{G}`$ of disconnected surfaces is a set $`\overline{G}=(G_1,\mathrm{},G_k)`$ of types $`G_i=(g^{(i)},\epsilon ^{(i)},m^{(i)},m_1^{(i)},\mathrm{},m_{s_i}^{(i)})`$ of connected stratified surface. We require types $`G_i`$ to be numbered according the ordering.

Put $`V_{\overline{G}}=A^{({\scriptscriptstyle m^{\left(i\right)}})}B^{({\scriptscriptstyle m_j^{\left(i\right)}})}`$. Define polylinear function $`X_{\overline{G}}`$ on $`V_{\overline{G}}`$ as a product of correlators

$$X_{\overline{G}}=X^{(1)}_{G_1}\mathrm{}X^{(k)}_{G_k}$$

Here $`X=(X_a^{(1)},\mathrm{},X_a^{(k)},X_b^{(1)},\mathrm{},X_b^{(k)})`$ and $`X^{(i)}=(X_a^{(i)},X_b^{(i)})`$.

A type of an arbitrary stratified surface possibly disconnected will be denoted below by $`G`$.

Fix a basis $`E_A`$ of $`A`$ and a basis $`E_B`$ of $`B`$ and use nondegenerate tensors $`F_{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}=(\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime })_A`$, $`F_{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}=(\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime })_B`$ and dual to lower and raise indices.

Denote by $`1_A`$ the element $`\alpha ^{}_{0,1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{\prime \prime }A`$. Denote by $`1_B`$ the element $`\beta ^{}_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}\beta ^{\prime \prime }B`$. Denote by $`U`$ the element $`\alpha ^{}_{\frac{1}{2},0}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{\prime \prime }A`$.

###### Lemma 4.2.

The following identities hold for any acceptable sets of arguments $`X`$, $`Y`$.
(1) $`1_A,X_{g,\epsilon }=X_{g,\epsilon }`$
(2) $`X,(1_B,Y)_{g,\epsilon }=X,(Y)_{g,\epsilon }`$
(3) $`U_A,X_{g,\epsilon }=X_{g+\frac{1}{2},0}`$

###### Proof.

(1) Use identity (1) from the definition Definition and put in it $`X_1=\mathrm{},g_1=0,\epsilon _1=1,X_2=X,g_2=g,\epsilon _2=\epsilon `$.

(2) Use identity (6) from the definition Definition and put in it $`X_1=\mathrm{},Y_1=\mathrm{},g_1=0,\epsilon _1=1,X_2=X,Y_2=Y,g_2=g,\epsilon _2=\epsilon `$.

(3) Use identity (1) from the definition and put in it $`X_1=\mathrm{},g_1=\frac{1}{2},\epsilon _1=0,X_2=X,g_2=g,\epsilon _2=\epsilon `$. ∎

Remark. Let $`\gamma `$ be an unstable simple cut of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Then one of the connected components of contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ is a trivial surface. This component is one of the surfaces (4), (5), (6), (7), (11) from the list of trivial surfaces given in lemma 3.1 due to the assumption that any component of boundary of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ contains at least one special point. In cases (4), (5), (7) simple cut $`\gamma `$ induces one of the relations from lemma 4.2. In cases (6), (11) simple cut $`\gamma `$ induces trivial relation, following from the definition of bilinear forms $`(x^{},x^{\prime \prime })_A`$ and $`(y^{},y^{\prime \prime })_B`$.

We shall assign a system of correlators to a Klein topological field theory.

Let $`𝒯=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\})`$ be a Klein topological field theory. For any type $`G=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ choose a connected stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of type $`G`$ and an admissible set of local orientations $`𝒪`$. Note that for any boundary contour $`\omega _i`$ admissible set of local orientations generates a cyclic ordering of special points from $`\omega _i`$.

Denote by $`M`$ the set of multipliers of the tensor product $`V_G=A^mB^{(m_1+\mathrm{}+m_s)}`$. A bijection $`𝒩:M\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ between set $`M`$ and set $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ of special points on a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ endowed with an admissible set of local orientations $`𝒪`$ is called an admissible bijection if

* multipliers $`A`$ correspond to interior special points;
* first $`m_1`$ multipliers $`B`$ correspond to special points from boundary contour $`\omega _1`$ such that $`|\omega _1|=m_1`$, next $`m_2`$ multipliers $`B`$ correspond to special points from boundary contour $`\omega _2`$ such that $`|\omega _2|=m_2`$ etc.;
* the linear order of special points on any $`\omega _i`$ induced by the order of multipliers $`B`$ in $`V_G`$ is compatible with the cyclic order induced by $`𝒪`$.

Fix an admissible bijection $`𝒩:M\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$. Denote by $`\varphi _𝒩:V_GV_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ the isomorphism of vector spaces induced by this bijection.

For any element $`z=x_1\mathrm{}x_my_1^1\mathrm{}y_{m_1}^1\mathrm{}y_1^s\mathrm{}y_{m_s}^sV_G`$ put

$$x_1,\mathrm{},x_m(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_G=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\varphi _𝒩(z)).$$

Thus, we obtain a linear form $`X_G`$ for any topological type $`G`$ of a stratified surface.

###### Lemma 4.3.

Linear form $`X_{g,\epsilon }`$ does not depend on the choice of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, an admissible set of local orientations $`𝒪`$ and an admissible bijection $`𝒩`$.

###### Proof.

Lemma follows immediately from topological invariance of Klein field theory. ∎

Denote by $`𝒞(𝒯)`$ the set of data $`(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{X_G\})`$.

###### Lemma 4.4.

The set of data $`𝒞(𝒯)`$ is a system of correlators.

###### Proof.

Identities (i) - (iii) follows from appropriate axioms of a Klein topological field theory.

We will pay more attention to identity (iv). Let $`\gamma `$ be a simple cut of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of type $`G=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ with $`m_i>0`$. Then contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$ is either a connected surface or consists of two connected components $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_1`$, $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_2`$. Denote by $`G_\mathrm{\#}`$ the type of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. Thus, $`G_\mathrm{\#}=((G_\mathrm{\#})_1`$, $`(G_\mathrm{\#})_2)`$ in the latter case.

Cut invariance of a Klein topological field theory leads to the relation between correlators $`X_G`$ and $`X_{G_\mathrm{\#}}`$.In order to establish this relation we need to fix

admissible sets of local orientations $`𝒪`$ on $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{}`$ on $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$;

admissible bijections $`𝒩:M\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ and $`𝒩_\mathrm{\#}:M_\mathrm{\#}(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_0`$.

(Note that a cut morphism $`\eta :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})`$ may bring an admissible set of local orientations $`𝒪`$ to nonadmissible set of local orientations $`𝒪_\mathrm{\#}`$.)

We have the chain of morphisms

$`V_G\stackrel{\varphi _𝒩}{}V_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\stackrel{\eta _{}}{}V_{\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}}\stackrel{\varphi _𝒩^{}^1}{}V_{\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}^{}}V_{G_\mathrm{\#}}`$.

Using cut invariance of linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ and the definition of $`X_{g,\epsilon }`$ we obtain the identity, namely, tensor $`X_G`$ is equal to a contraction of tensor $`X_\mathrm{\#}_{G_\mathrm{\#}}`$.

We did an appropriate choice of admissible sets of local orientations $`𝒪`$ and $`𝒪^{}`$ separately for all 9 classes of simple cuts. The resulting relations for correlators just form a list of relations in the definition of a sysem of correlators.

Conversely, assume we are given a system of correlators $`𝒞=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},X_G\})`$.

First, define a linear form $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for stratified surfaces of type
$`G=(g,\epsilon ,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ such that $`m_i>0`$ for $`i=1,\mathrm{},s`$ and an admissible set of local orientations $`𝒪`$. For this purpose use an admissible bijection $`𝒩:M\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ and invert the above consideration. The function $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ is well defined because the correlators are symmetric.

Second, using axioms of a Klein topological field theory extend the definition of linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ to all pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)`$, i.e., to arbitrary sets of local orientations $`𝒪`$ (using axiom $`2^{}`$) and to surfaces with boundaries having no special points (using axiom $`4^{}`$). It can be easily checked that constructed set of data $`𝒯(𝒞)=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\})`$ satisfies all axioms of a Klein topological field theory. From definitions it follows that the correspondence $`𝒞𝒯(𝒞)`$ is inverse to the correspondence $`𝒯𝒞(𝒯)`$. Thus

###### Theorem 4.1.

Correspondence $`𝒯𝒞(𝒯)`$ is a bijection between Klein topological field theories and systems of correlators.

### 4.3. From system of correlators to structure algebras

Fix a system of correlators $`𝒞=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{X_G\})`$. In this subsection we consider correlators as tensors in basis $`E_A`$ and $`E_B`$ of vector spaces $`A`$ and $`B`$ resp. Thus, in notation $`X_G`$ of a correlator we assume that $`X`$ is a set of basic elements $`\alpha _iE_A`$, $`\beta _i^jE_B`$. An index with star like $`\alpha ^{}`$ means the contraction with the matrix $`I_\alpha ^{}^{\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}`$ of involutive transformation $`xx^{}`$. For example, $`\alpha ^{},X_{(g,\epsilon )}=I_\alpha ^\alpha ^{}\alpha ^{},X_{(g,\epsilon )}`$

We deal here with correlators corresponding to a type $`G`$ of not necessarily connected stratified surface. It was shown above that any simple cut $`\gamma `$ of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of type $`G`$ generates an identity with tensor $`X_G`$ in the left hand side and a contraction of tensor $`X_\mathrm{\#}_{G_\mathrm{\#}}`$ in the right hand side. Here $`G_\mathrm{\#}`$ is the type of the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$. The explicit formulas for these identities corresponding to simple cuts of all classes are those that are listed in the definition of systems of correlators.

Identities for correlators that differ only by symmetries (i)-(ii), we consider as equal. Accepting this agreement we may claim, that the identity corresponding to a simple cut $`\gamma \mathrm{\Omega }`$ does not depend on the choice of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and an admissible set of local orientations $`𝒪`$. The identities corresponding to isomorphic pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega },\gamma )`$ and $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\gamma ^{})`$ are equal.

We denote this identity as follows:

$$X_G=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\gamma )}(X_\mathrm{\#}_{G_\mathrm{\#}}).$$

Here $`X_\mathrm{\#}`$ is tensor of a type encoded by the type $`G_\mathrm{\#}`$ of contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma `$, namely, if $`G_\mathrm{\#}=(g_\mathrm{\#},\epsilon _\mathrm{\#},m_\mathrm{\#},m_{\mathrm{\#}1},\mathrm{},m_{\mathrm{\#}s_\mathrm{\#}})`$ then $`X_\mathrm{\#}`$ has $`m_\mathrm{\#}`$ first indices from $`A`$ and $`m_{\mathrm{\#}i}`$ remaining indices from $`B`$. Right hand side expression is a contraction of this tensor by means of tensors $`F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}`$, $`F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}`$, $`D^\alpha `$ and possibly by their contractions with matrices of star involutions $`I_\alpha ^{}^\alpha `$, $`I_\beta ^{}^\beta `$. The explicit form of the contraction is defined by a pair $`(\mathrm{\Omega },\gamma )`$ and is encoded in the notation of operator $`𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\gamma )}(\mathrm{})`$. Indices of $`X_\mathrm{\#}`$ that are not involved into contraction are just indices of tensor $`X`$. The type of $`X`$ is encoded by $`G`$.

A cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\{\gamma _1,\mathrm{},\gamma _k\}`$ generates a chain of identities and finally we obtain the identity as follows:

$$X_G=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\gamma _1)}(𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\{\gamma _1\},\gamma _2)}(\mathrm{}𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\{\gamma _1,\mathrm{},\gamma _{k1}\},\gamma _k)}(X_\mathrm{\#}_{G_\mathrm{\#}})\mathrm{})),$$

where $`G_\mathrm{\#}`$ is topological type of contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$. Clearly, the result does not depend on the ordering of simple cuts. We denote this identity as

$$X_G=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })}(X_\mathrm{\#}_{G_\mathrm{\#}}).$$

Isomorphic pairs $`(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })`$ and $`(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})`$ generate equal identities. Note that operator $`𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })}(\mathrm{})`$ can be applied to any tensor $`\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#}`$ of type corresponding to the type $`G_\mathrm{\#}`$ of the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$.

The following identities are evident.

###### Lemma 4.5.

(1) If $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a subsystem of a cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ then $`𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })}(\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#})=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}(𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}(\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#})).`$
(2) Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ be a cut system on $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_1`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_2`$ be two cut systems on $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ and $`\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#}^{}`$ (resp. $`\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#}^{}`$) be a tensor of type corresponding to the type $`G_\mathrm{\#}^{}`$ (resp. $`G_\mathrm{\#}^{}`$) of the contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ (resp.$`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$). If $`𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_1)}(\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#})=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_2)}(\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#})`$ then $`𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{}\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\mathrm{\Gamma }_1)}(\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#}^{}\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#}^{})=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega }^{}\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\mathrm{\Gamma }_2)}(\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#}^{}\overline{X}_\mathrm{\#}^{})`$.

Correlators corresponding to types $`G`$ of trivial surfaces are called trivial correlators. There are five of them; they were used above for definitions of bilinear forms $`(\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime })_A`$, $`(\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime })_B`$ and elements $`1_AA`$, $`1_BB`$, $`UA`$.

Correlators corresponding to types $`G`$ of basic surfaces are called basic correlators. Therefore, there are three basic correlators

$$x_1,x_2,x_3_{0,1},(y_1,y_2,y_3)_{0,1},x,(y)_{0,1}.$$

###### Lemma 4.6.

The correlator $`X_G`$ for the type $`G`$ of any connected stable stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is equal to a contraction of a product of basic correlator.

###### Proof.

Indeed, take a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of type $`G`$ and a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Then we get the identity $`X_G=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })}(X_\mathrm{\#}_{G_\mathrm{\#}})`$. By definition, connected components of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ are basic surfaces. Therefore, correlator $`X_\mathrm{\#}_{G_\mathrm{\#}}`$ is a product of basic correlators. ∎

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ be two complete cut systems of a stable connected stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Then we have two identities $`X_G=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}(X_\mathrm{\#}^{}_{G_\mathrm{\#}^{}})`$ and $`X_G=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime })}(X_\mathrm{\#}^{\prime \prime }_{G_\mathrm{\#}^{\prime \prime }})`$. Hence

$$𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}(X_\mathrm{\#}^{}_{G_\mathrm{\#}^{}})=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime })}(X_\mathrm{\#}^{\prime \prime }_{G_\mathrm{\#}^{\prime \prime }}),$$

and we obtain the relation between basic correlators. Obviously, replacing $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ or $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{\prime \prime }`$ by an equivalent complete cut system brings this relation to the equal one. Moreover, if two triples $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_1,\mathrm{\Gamma }_1^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_1^{\prime \prime })`$ and $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_2,\mathrm{\Gamma }_2^{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_2^{\prime \prime })`$ are equivalent, i.e., there exists an isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }_1\mathrm{\Omega }_2`$ such that $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma }_1^{})=\mathrm{\Gamma }_2^{}`$, $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma }_1^{\prime \prime })=\mathrm{\Gamma }_2^{\prime \prime }`$ (or $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma }_1^{})=\mathrm{\Gamma }_2^{\prime \prime }`$, $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma }_1^{\prime \prime })=\mathrm{\Gamma }_2^{}`$), then corresponding relations are equal.

We call the relations corresponding to nonequivalent pairs of complete cut systems on simple surfaces defining relations. The relations corresponding to unstable cuts of simple and trivial surfaces we call defining relations too.

Using the list of simple surfaces and the classification of complete cut systems on them (see lemma 3.10) we obtain the following list of defining relations between basic correlators. In the list we omit relations that are consequence of given ones. The enumeration of relations corresponds to the enumeration of simple surfaces. In order to simplify formulas we use nonbasic correlators $`\alpha ,\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\alpha ^{\prime \prime \prime }_{0,1}`$ and $`(\beta ,\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime },\beta ^{\prime \prime \prime })_{0,1}`$ because they have clear expression via basic correlators.

Defining relations corresponding to complete cut systems of simple surfaces
$`(1)\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha ^{}_{0,1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\alpha _3,\alpha _4_{0,1}=`$

$`=\alpha _1,\alpha _3,\alpha ^{}_{0,1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\alpha _2,\alpha _4_{0,1}`$
$`(2)\alpha ,\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}_{0,1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}=\alpha ,\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }_{0,1}D^\alpha ^{}D^{\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}`$
$`(4)(\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta ^{})_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}(\beta ^{\prime \prime },\beta _3,\beta _4)_{0,1}=`$
$`=(\beta _2,\beta _3,\beta ^{})_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}(\beta ^{\prime \prime },\beta _4,\beta _1)_{0,1}`$
$`(5)(\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta ^{})_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ,(\beta ^{\prime \prime })_{0,1}=(\beta _2,\beta _1,\beta ^{})_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ,(\beta ^{\prime \prime })_{0,1}`$
$`(6)\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha ^{}_{0,1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{\prime \prime },(\beta )_{0,1}=`$
$`=(\beta ,\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime })_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime \prime }}\alpha _1,(\beta ^{\prime \prime \prime })_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{\prime \prime },\beta ^{(iv)}}\alpha _2,(\beta ^{(iv)})_{0,1}`$
$`(7)\alpha ^{},(\beta )_{0,1}D^\alpha ^{}=(\beta ,\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{})_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}`$
$`(8)\alpha ^{},(\beta _1)_{0,1}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}\alpha ^{\prime \prime },(\beta _2)_{0,1}=(\beta _1,\beta ^{},\beta _2,\beta ^{\prime \prime })_{0,1}F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}`$

Defining relations completely describe properties of systems of correlators. Precise statements are formulated and proved in sequel subsection using structure algebras.

Denote trivial and basic correlators as follows.

(1) $`F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=\alpha _1,\alpha _2_{0,1}`$

(2) $`F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}=(\beta _1,\beta _2)_{0,1}`$;

(3) $`R_{\alpha ,\beta }=\alpha ,(\beta )_{0,1}`$;

(4) $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}=\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3_{0,1}`$;

(5) $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}=(\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3)_{0,1}`$;

(6) $`R_{\alpha ,\beta _1,\beta _2}=\alpha ,(\beta _1,\beta _2)_{0,1}`$;

(7) $`I_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}=\alpha _1^{},\alpha _2_{0,1}`$;

(8) $`I_{\beta _1,\beta _2}=(\beta _1^{},\beta _2)_{0,1}`$;

(9) $`D_\alpha =\alpha _{\frac{1}{2},0}`$;

(10) $`J_\alpha =\alpha _{0,1}`$;

(11) $`J_\beta =(\beta )_{0,1}`$.

###### Theorem 4.2.

Tensors (1)-(11) are structure constants of a structure algebra, which we denote by $`(𝒞)`$.

###### Proof.

By lemma 2.2 it is sufficient to verify relations (1)–(16) for these tensors. These relations either follow from the symmetries of correlators or coincide with defining relations for basic correlators (1)-(8).

### 4.4. From structure algebra to Klein topological field theory

Let $`=(H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},UA)`$ be a structure algebra. We shall construct a Klein topological field theory $`𝒯()=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\})`$ with the same vector spaces $`A`$ and $`B`$ and involutive transformations $`xx^{}`$ and $`yy^{}`$ which are restrictions of involutive antiautomorphism of algebra $`H`$ to its summands.

First, define linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ for trivial and basic surfaces $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Choose basis $`E_A`$ of vector space $`A`$ and $`E_B`$ of vector space $`B`$. It is sufficient to define a linear form on basic elements $`(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q)`$ of vector space $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Here $`\mathrm{\Omega }_a`$ (resp. $`\mathrm{\Omega }_b`$) is the set of all interior (resp. boundary) special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, $`\alpha _pE_A`$, $`\beta _qE_B`$.

For example, let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be isomorphic to a disc with three boundary special points $`q_1,q_2,q_3`$. Choose an admissible set $`𝒪`$ of local orientations and fix an admissible ordering $`𝒩`$ of special points. In this case $`𝒪`$ and $`𝒩`$ are uniquely defined by fixing an orientation of the disc and choosing a first special point on its boundary. The order of special points defines the isomorphism $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }B_1B_2B_3`$, where $`B_i`$ is a copy of vector space $`B`$ and $`i`$ means that the isomorphism brings a vector $`\beta _i`$ assigned to $`i`$-th special point $`q_i`$ to this multiplier ($`i=1,2,3`$). For basic element $`_{i=1}^3\beta _iV_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ put $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(_{i=1}^3\beta _i)=T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}`$, where tensor $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}`$ belongs to structure constants of structure algebra $``$ (see subsection 2.1). For a nonadmissible set $`𝒪`$ of local orientations define $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ by invariance of changing of local orientations (axiom $`2^{}`$ from the definition of Klein topological field theory). Properties of structure constants of a structure algebra (see lemma 2.2) provide the correctness of the definition of $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$, its topological invariance and invariance with respect to changing of local orientations.

Analogous reasoning leads to correct definitions of $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for all trivial and basic surfaces. Key formulas for a surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, an admissible set $`𝒪`$ of local orientations and an admissible numbering $`𝒩`$ of special points are as follows. Right-hand sides of these formulas are expressed via structure constants of $``$.

Trivial surfaces

* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a sphere $`S^2`$ without special points: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(1)=J^\alpha J_\alpha `$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a projective plane $`P^2`$ without special points: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(1)=J_\alpha D^\alpha `$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a disc $`D^2`$ without special points: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(1)=J^\beta J_\beta `$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a sphere $`S^2`$ with an interior special point $`p`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=A`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\alpha )=J_\alpha `$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a disc $`D^2`$ with a boundary special point $`q`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=B`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\beta )=J_\beta `$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a sphere $`S^2`$ with two interior special points $`p_1`$, $`p_2`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }AA`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\alpha _1\alpha _2)=F_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}`$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a projective plane $`P^2`$ with an interior special point $`p`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=A`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\alpha )=D_\alpha `$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a torus $`T^2`$ without special points: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(1)=F_{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}=dimA`$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a Klein bottle $`𝖪𝗅`$ without special points: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(1)=I_{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}=tr(xx^{})`$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a disc $`D^2`$ with an interior special point $`p`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=A`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\alpha )=J^\beta R_{\alpha ,\beta }`$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a disc $`D^2`$ with two boundary special points $`q_1`$, $`q_2`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }BB`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\beta _1\beta _2)=F_{\beta _1,\beta _2}`$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a Möbius band $`𝖬𝖻`$ without special points: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(1)=J^\beta D^\alpha R_{\alpha ,\beta }`$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a cylinder $`𝖢𝗒𝗅`$ without special points: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=`$,
$`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(1)=J^\beta ^{}R_{\alpha ^{},\beta ^{}}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}J^{\beta ^{\prime \prime }}R_{\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\beta ^{\prime \prime }}`$.

Basic surfaces

* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a sphere $`S^2`$ with three interior special points $`p_1,p_2,p_3`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }AAA`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\alpha _1\alpha _2\alpha _3)=S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}`$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a disc $`D^2`$ with three boundary special points $`q_1,q_2,q_3`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }BBB`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\beta _1\beta _2\beta _3)=T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}`$.
* $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a disc $`D^2`$ with a boundary special point $`q`$ and an interior special point $`p`$: $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }=AB`$, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(\alpha \beta )=R_{\alpha ,\beta }`$.

Multiplicativity (axiom $`6^{}`$ from the definition of Klein topological field theory) allows us to define correctly linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ also for stratified surfaces $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ that are disjoint union of several trivial and basic surfaces.

###### Lemma 4.7.

The already defined linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for trivial and basic surfaces and their disjoint unions satisfy topological invariance axiom, invariance of a change of local orientations axiom, nondegeneracy axiom, invariance of adding trivial field axiom (when applicable), cut invariance axiom (for cuts of trivial and basic surfaces) and multiplicativity axiom.

###### Proof.

Topological invariance and invariance of a change of local orientations follows from the definitions of functions $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ as it was shown above for a disc with three boundary special points. Nondegeneracy follows from nondegeneracy of bilinear forms $`(x^{},x^{\prime \prime })|_A`$ and $`(y^{},y^{\prime \prime })|_B`$ in algebra $``$. Invariance of adding a trivial field and cut invariance for trivial and basic surfaces are checked for all such surfaces. Any verification turns into a simple identity for structure constants of $``$. We skip the details. Multiplicativity follows from the definition of $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for disjoint unions of trivial and basic surfaces. ∎

Define $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for a connected stable surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Choose a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and orientations of all simple cuts $`\gamma \mathrm{\Gamma }`$. Denote by $`\eta :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})`$ cut morphism corresponding to $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ (see subsection 4.1). By definition of a complete cut system, all connected components of contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ are basic surfaces. Therefore, function $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})}`$ is already defined. Put $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})}(\eta _{}(x))`$. We have to prove that this function does not depend on the choice of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$.

###### Lemma 4.8.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ be equivalent complete cut systems endowed with orientations of all simple cuts of a stable surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}(x)`$. Particularly, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}(x)`$ does not depend on a choice of orientations of simple cuts.

###### Proof.

Suppose, we change an orientation of a simple cut $`\gamma \mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$. Denote the same complete cut system with changed orientation of the cut by $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$. We have two cut morphisms $`\eta _\mathrm{\Gamma }:(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})`$ and $`\eta _\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}:(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{})`$ and changing local orientations morphism $`\psi :(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{})`$. Vector space $`V_{\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}}`$ is isomorphic to $`V_\mathrm{\Omega }X`$, where vector space $`X`$ depends on $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$. By definition, linear map $`\eta _{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_{\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}}`$ brings element $`xV_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ to $`xz`$, where $`z`$ is a tensor product of several elements $`K_{A,}A`$, $`K_{B,}B`$ and $`UA`$ (see subsection 2.1). It can be easily checked that these elements of structure algebra are invariants of involution $`xx^{}`$. Therefore, $`(\eta _\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})_{}(x)=(\eta _\mathrm{\Gamma })_{}(\psi _{}(x))=(\eta _\mathrm{\Gamma })_{}(x)`$ and $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}(x)`$.

The equality $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}`$ for different but equivalent complete cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ follows from the topological invariance for trivial and basic surfaces and their disjoint unions applied to linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma },𝒪_\mathrm{\#})}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{},𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{})}`$. ∎

###### Lemma 4.9.

If $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a simple stratified surface then $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}`$ for any pair $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

###### Proof.

Consider separately simple surfaces (1) - (8) (see lemma 3.10). For example, let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a disc with two interior special points $`p_1`$, $`p_2`$ and one boundary special point $`q`$. By lemma 4.8, it is sufficient to consider only nonequivalent complete cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$. There are two nonequivalent complete cut systems $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. One of them, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$, consists of one separating contour $`\gamma `$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is isomorphic to the disjoint union of a sphere with three interior special points $`p_1,p_2,p^{}`$ and a disc with one interior special point $`p^{\prime \prime }`$ and one boundary special point $`q`$. Another one, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$, consists of two separating segments cut $`\gamma _1`$, $`\gamma _2`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ is isomorphic to the disjoint union of three components:

$``$ a disc with interior special point $`p_1`$ and boundary special point $`q_1^{}`$,

$``$ a disc with interior special point $`p_2`$ and boundary special point $`q_2^{}`$,

$``$ a disc with three boundary special points $`q,q_1^{\prime \prime },q_2^{\prime \prime }`$.

From definitions of $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}`$ we obtain that the equality
$`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}`$ is equivalent to the equality

$$R_{\alpha _1,\beta _1^{}}F^{\beta _1^{},\beta _1^{\prime \prime }}R_{\alpha _2,\beta _2^{}}F^{\beta _2^{},\beta _2^{\prime \prime }}T_{\beta ^{}\beta ^{\prime \prime }\beta }=S_{\alpha _1\alpha _2\alpha ^{}}F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}R_{\alpha ^{\prime \prime },\beta }$$

for structure constants. The latter coincides with relation (5) for structure constants (see lemma 2.2) of structure algebra $``$.

Analogous reasoning are applicable in all cases. Equalities for structure constants derived from equalities $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}`$ for complete cut systems of simple surfaces are just relations for structure constants of a structure algebra. We omit the details. ∎

It follows from the lemma that formula $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}`$ correctly defines a function $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for all simple surfaces. Now, we can define by multiplicativity linear form $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for any surface that is the disjoint union of trivial, basic and simple surfaces. Topological invariance for these forms and invariance of change of local orientations can be easily checked.

###### Lemma 4.10.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ be adjacent complete cut systems of a stable stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Then $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}`$

###### Proof.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ be two nonequivalent adjacent complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. By lemma 4.8, the replacement of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ by equivalent cut system leads to the same linear form. Hence, we may assume that the set $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ of cuts common to $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ has the following property. Contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ is the disjoint union of a simple surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ and several basic surfaces and cut systems $`\overline{\mathrm{\Gamma }}=\mathrm{\Gamma }\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$, $`\overline{\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}}=\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ belong to $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$; therefore $`\overline{\mathrm{\Gamma }}`$ and $`\overline{\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}}`$ are complete cut systems of simple surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$.

We have that linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{},𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{})}`$ are already correctly defined for any set $`𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{}`$ of local orientations. From transitivity property of cut morphisms we obtain that $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{},𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{})}(\eta ^{}(x))`$ and $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{},𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{})}(\eta ^{}(x))`$, where $`\eta ^{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_{\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}}`$ is linear map induced by cut morphism $`\eta ^{}:(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{},𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{})`$. Therefore, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma }^{})}`$. ∎

By theorem 3.1 any pair of complete cut systems of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is connected by a chain of adjacent complete cut systems. Thus, formula $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪,\mathrm{\Gamma })}`$ correctly defines function $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ and we define linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for all connected stratified surfaces. Define $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪})`$ for disconnected surfaces by multiplicativity.

###### Theorem 4.3.

A tuple of data $`𝒯()=(A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\{\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\})`$ is a Klein topological field theory.

###### Proof.

Let us verify axioms of a Klein topological field theory.

$`1^{}`$ It is sufficient to check topological invariance for connected stable surfaces that are not trivial or basic surfaces. Let $`\varphi :(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},𝒪^{})`$ be an isomorphism. Choose a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and denote by $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ complete cut system $`\varphi (\mathrm{\Gamma })`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$. The isomorphism $`\varphi `$ induces the isomorphism $`\varphi _\mathrm{\#}:(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}^{},𝒪_\mathrm{\#}^{})`$ of contracted cut surfaces $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}=\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}^{}=\mathrm{\Omega }^{}/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$. The topological invariance with respect of $`\varphi `$ follows from the topological invariance of $`\varphi _\mathrm{\#}`$. The latter was proven in lemma 4.7.

$`2^{}`$ Invariance of changing of local orientations is verified analogously to $`1^{}`$.

$`3^{}`$ Nondegeneracy follows from nondegeneracy of bilinear forms $`(x^{},x^{\prime \prime })|_A`$ and $`(y^{},y^{\prime \prime })_B`$.

$`4^{}`$ Invariance of adding trivial field follows from the same statement proved for basic and trivial surfaces (lemma 4.7). Indeed, let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stable surface and $`r`$ be a nonspecial point. Choose complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ that does not meet $`r`$. Then the image of $`r`$ in contracted cut surface belongs to a connected component $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{\mathrm{\#}i}`$, which is basic surface. Invariance of adding new special point $`r`$ follows from the same statement for its image in $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{\mathrm{\#}i}`$.

$`5^{}`$ It is sufficient to check cut invariance for a simple cut $`\gamma `$ of a connected stable surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ that is not trivial or basic surface.

Suppose that $`\gamma `$ is a stable cut. Then it can be included in a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. By properties of cut morphisms $`(\eta _\mathrm{\Gamma })_{}=(\eta _{\mathrm{\Gamma }\gamma })_{}(\eta _\gamma )_{}`$, where $`(\eta _\mathrm{\Gamma })_{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_{\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }}`$, $`(\eta _{\mathrm{\Gamma }\gamma })_{}:V_{\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma }V_{\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }}`$, $`(\eta _\gamma )_{}:V_\mathrm{\Omega }V_{\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma }`$ are linear maps corresponding to cut morphisms. Therefore, $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(x)=\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega }/\gamma ,𝒪_\mathrm{\#})}(\eta _\gamma )_{}(x))`$.

Suppose that $`\gamma `$ is trivial (unstable) cut. Then there exists a complete cut system $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\gamma =\mathrm{}`$. Hence, the image of $`\gamma `$ in contracted cut surface is a simple cut of a connected component $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{\mathrm{\#}i}`$, which is basic surface. The invariance with respect to cut $`\gamma `$ follows from the invariance with respect of its image in the basic surface, which was proved in lemma 4.7.

$`6^{}`$ Multiplicativity is clear because linear forms $`\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ for disconnected surfaces are defined using this axiom.

###### Theorem 4.4.

(Main) The correspondences $`𝒯𝒞(𝒯)𝒞(𝒯))`$ and $`𝒯()`$ are reciprocal bijections between isomorphism classes of Klein topological field theories $`𝒯=\{A,xx^{},B,yy^{},\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\}`$ and isomorphism classes of structure algebras $`=\{H=AB,(.,.),xx^{},U\}`$. The correlators for Klein topological theory $`𝒯()`$ have the following expressions in terms of structure algebra $``$:

$$x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_{1}^{}{}_{}{}^{1},\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_{g,1}=$$

$$=(x_1\mathrm{}x_m(y_1^1\mathrm{}y_{m_1}^1)V_{K_B}(y_1^2\mathrm{}y_{m_2}^2)\mathrm{}V_{K_B}(y_1^s\mathrm{}y_{m_s}^s),K_A^g)$$

and

$$x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_1^1,\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_{g,0}=$$

$$=(x_1\mathrm{}x_m(y_1^1\mathrm{}y_{m_1}^1)V_{K_B}(y_1^2\mathrm{}y_{m_2}^2)\mathrm{}V_{K_B}(y_1^s\mathrm{}y_{m_s}^s),U^{2g})$$

###### Proof.

The first statement follows from the exact constructions of the correspondences $`𝒯𝒞(𝒯)`$, $`𝒞(𝒞)`$, $`𝒯()`$ and from theorems 4.1, 4.2, 4.3. The second statement follows from a representation $`X_G=𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋_{(\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Gamma })}(X_\mathrm{\#}_{G_\mathrm{\#}})`$, where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is a specially chosen complete cut system. Namely, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ contains a system of cuts $`\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ between holes 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3d, etc. and $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$ is a normal cut system of $`\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{\Gamma }^{}`$. ∎

### 4.5. Open-closed topological field theory

Let $``$ be a Klein topological field theory. One can restrict the basic category of surfaces to the category of oriented surfaces with local orientations at all special points induced by a global orientation of the surface. Call it open-closed topological field theory because it is equivalent to the open-closed topological field theory as defined in , .

It is convenient to discuss the correspondence between versions of open-closed TFTs in terms of algebras. Note that both the involutive antiautomorphism $`xx^{}`$, responsible for changes of local orientations, and the element $`U`$ responsible for gluing the hole by a Möbius band, are not used in the oriented case.

Define a Lazaroiu-Moore algebra as ”the structure algebra without an involutive antiautomorphism $`xx^{}`$, an element $`U`$, and axioms $`5^{}`$, $`6^{}`$,$`7^{}`$,$`8^{}`$” (compare with , ). That is

###### Definition.

A Lazaroiu-Moore algebra $`=\{H=AB,(.,.)\}`$ is a finite dimensional associative algebra $`H`$ endowed with

a decomposition $`H=AB`$ of $`H`$ into the direct sum of two vector spaces;

a symmetric invariant scalar product $`(.,.):HH`$,
such that the following axioms hold:

$`1^{}`$ $`A`$ is a subalgebra belonging to the center of algebra $`H`$; algebra $`A`$ has an unit $`1_AA`$, and $`1_A`$ is also the unit of algebra $`H`$;

$`2^{}`$ $`B`$ is a two-sided ideal of $`H`$ (typically noncommutative); algebra $`B`$ has a unit $`1_BB`$;

$`3^{}`$ restrictions $`(.,.)|_A`$ and $`(.,.)|_B`$ are nondegenerate scalar products on algebras $`A`$ and $`B`$ resp.

$`4^{}`$ $`(V_{K_B}(b_1),b_2)=(\widehat{K}_A,b_1b_2)`$ for arbitrary $`b_1,b_2B`$ (this axiom reflects Cardy relation );

Reduplicating the proof ot theorem 4.4 we prove

###### Theorem 4.5.

The correspondences $`𝒯𝒞(𝒯)𝒞(𝒯))`$ and $`𝒯()`$ are reciprocal bijections between isomorphism classes of open-closed topological field theories $`𝒯=\{A,B,\mathrm{\Phi }_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\}`$ and isomorphism classes of Lazaroiu-Moore algebras $`=\{H=AB,(.,.)\}`$. The correlators for open-closed topological theory $`𝒯()`$ have the following expressions in terms of open-closed string algebra $``$:

$$x_1,\mathrm{},x_m,(y_{1}^{}{}_{}{}^{1},\mathrm{},y_{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(y_1^s,\mathrm{},y_{m_s}^s)_{g,1}=$$

$$=(x_1\mathrm{}x_m(y_1^1\mathrm{}y_{m_1}^1)V_{K_B}(y_1^2\mathrm{}y_{m_2}^2)\mathrm{}V_{K_B}(y_1^s\mathrm{}y_{m_s}^s),K_A^g)$$

The following claim is clear from Main theorem, theorem 4.5, and results of section 2.

###### Corollary 4.1.

Any massive (corresponding to a semisimple algebra) open-closed topological field theory can be extended to a Klein topological field theory, and the number of such extentions in finite. Equivalent classes of extensions are in a bijection with pairs consisting of an involutive antiautomorphism $`xx^{}`$ and an element $`U`$ satisfying axioms of a structure algebra.

Number of extensions of an open-closed TFT to a KTFT can be easely computed by results of subsection 2.2

## 5. Hurwitz topological field theory

In this section the coverings over a stratified surface are considered. It is shown (subsection 5.1) that singularities over boundary special points are classified by ’dihedral Yang diagrams’, which in turn correspond to conjugacy classes of pairs of involutions in a symmetric group $`S_n`$.

Classical Hurwits numbers are generalized to coverings over stratified surfaces. A Klien topological field theory is associated (subsections 5.2, 5.3) with these generalized Hurwitz numbers. This KTFT is called a Hurwits topological field theory.

It is proved that a Hurwits topological field theory corresponds to the structure algebra associated with a symmetric group $`S_n`$. It allows us to obtain the expressions (subsection 5.4) for generalized Hurwits numbers via structural constants of the structural algebra.

### 5.1. Stratified coverings

Fix a stratified topological space $`\mathrm{\Omega }=_{\lambda \mathrm{\Lambda }}\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$. Let $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a continuous epimorphic map of a topological space $`P`$ onto $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Denote by $`P_\lambda `$ the preimage of a stratum $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ and by $`\pi _\lambda :P_\lambda \mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ the restriction of $`\pi `$ to $`P_\lambda `$. Analogously, for an arbitrary subset $`X\mathrm{\Omega }`$ denote by $`\pi _X:P_XX`$ the restriction of $`\pi `$ to $`P_X=\pi ^1(X)`$.

###### Definition.

A continuous map $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called a covering over the stratification (or a stratified covering) if and only if for any stratum $`\lambda `$ the restriction $`\pi _\lambda :P_\lambda \mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ is a local homeomorphism, i.e., a covering.

A stratified covering $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is called special coverings if and only if
(1) $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is a specially stratified manifold (i.e., any codimension 1 stratum belongs to the boundary of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$);
(2) $`P`$ is a manifold, possibly with a boundary.

In this work we deal with specially stratified coverings over surfaces and call them coverings for short.

A covering is called $`n`$-sheeted covering if and only if the full preimage of any point of a stratum of maximal dimension consists of $`n`$ points. $`n`$-sheeted coverings over disconnected base can (and sometimes, will) be considered. In general, it is not assumed that a cover space $`P`$ is connected.

An isomorphism of two coverings $`\pi _1:P_1\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\pi _2:P_2\mathrm{\Omega }`$ over the same base is a homeomorphism $`\varphi :P_1P_2`$ such that $`\pi _2\varphi =\pi _1`$. By $`𝒞ov_n(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ we denote the category of $`n`$-sheeted stratified coverings over $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ with morphisms being isomorphisms of coverings. By $`\mathrm{Cov}_\mathrm{n}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ is denoted the set of isomorphism classes in category $`𝒞ov_n(\mathrm{\Omega })`$. Clearly, $`\mathrm{Cov}_\mathrm{n}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ is a finite set.

###### Lemma 5.1.

An isomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ of stratified manifolds induces the bijection between sets $`\mathrm{Cov}_\mathrm{n}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ and $`\mathrm{Cov}_\mathrm{n}(\mathrm{\Omega }^{})`$.

Indeed, the bijection is induced by morphism $`\pi \varphi \pi `$.

###### Definition.

Let $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\pi ^{}:P^{}\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ be two coverings over stratified manifolds $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$. A pair of homeomorphisms $`\widehat{\varphi }:PP^{}`$ and $`\varphi :\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ is called a topological equivalence of coverings if and only if $`\pi ^{}\widehat{\varphi }=\varphi \pi `$. A class of topologically equivalent coverings is called a topological type of coverings.

Obviously, two isomorphic coverings over a stratified manifold $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are of the same topological type. The converse is not true: there exist nonisomorphic coverings over a surface that are of the same topological type.

Let $`Aut\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be the group of all homeomorphisms of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, that preserve the stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ (a permutation of strata is allowed). The group $`Aut\mathrm{\Omega }`$ acts on the set $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$: if $`\varphi Aut\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\pi \mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ then $`\varphi (\pi )=\varphi \pi `$. Clearly, two coverings $`\pi ,\pi ^{}\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ are of the same topological type if and only if they lie in the same orbit of the group $`Aut(\mathrm{\Omega })`$.

Note, that one can correctly assign a topological type of a covering $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ to a topological type of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. In contrast, the isomorphism class $`[\pi ]`$ of covering $`\pi `$ can be associated with just manifold $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ but not with its topological type because one cannot choose an isomorphism between two different (but isomorphic) bases $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ canonically.

For an oriented base $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ we define an oriented topological type of a covering with respect to homeomorphisms preserving the orientation.

There exist only two, up to isomorphism, compact connected special stratified one-dimensional manifolds, a circle $`S^1`$ and a closed segment $`I`$. It is convenient to consider also one noncompact manifold, namely, a ray $`R`$ (with two obvious strata).

#### 5.1.1. Coverings over a circle

A covering $`\pi :PS^1`$ over a circle has no special points, i.e., it is a nonramified covering. Isomorphism classes of $`n`$-sheeted coverings over $`S^1`$ are in one-to-one correspondence with unordered partitions of the number $`n`$ into a sum $`n=n_1+\mathrm{}+n_s`$. If $`\pi :PS^1`$ is a covering then $`s`$ is the number of connected components of $`P`$ and $`n_i`$ is the degree of the restriction of $`\pi `$ to $`i`$-th connected component of $`P`$.

Equivalently, the isomorphism class of a covering over $`S^1`$ can be presented 1) as a Young diagram of order n; 2) as a conjugacy class of a symmetric group $`S_n`$. We denote by $`\alpha `$ a partition of $`n`$, as well, as corresponding Young diagram of order $`n`$ and a conjugacy class of $`S_n`$. Group $`AutS^1`$ acts trivially on the set $`\mathrm{Cov}_\mathrm{n}(S^1)`$ of isomorphism classes of coverings. Therefore, topological type of a covering can be also presented by the partition $`\alpha `$.

#### 5.1.2. Coverings over a ray

Let $`\pi :PR`$ be an $`n`$-sheeted covering over a ray. Denote by $`M`$ the set of connected components of the preimage of an open interval $`R^{}=RR`$. Obviously, $`|M|=n`$ and the restriction of $`\pi `$ to any component is a homeomorphism. Any point $`p^{}`$ of the preimage of the end-point $`pR`$ belong to the closure of either just one or just two components of $`M`$. Therefore, a special covering defines an involutive element $`s`$ of group $`AutM`$ of all bijections $`MM`$. Group $`AutM`$ is isomorphic to symmetric group $`S_n`$; there is no canonical isomorphism, therefore, involution $`sM`$ correctly defines only conjugasy class of its image in $`S_n`$.

Evidently, isomorphism classes of coverings over the ray $`R`$ are in one-to-one correspondence with conjugacy classes of involutions in $`S_n`$. On other hand, conjugacy classes of involutions are in one-to-one correspondence with decompositions of $`n`$ into the sum $`n=k+2l`$.

Group $`AutR`$ acts trivially on the set $`\mathrm{Cov}_\mathrm{n}(R)`$ of isomorphism classes of coverings. Therefore, topological type of a covering can be also presented as a conjugacy class of an involutive permutation.

#### 5.1.3. Coverings over a segment

(Fig.5)

Formal description of isomorphism classes of $`n`$-sheeted coverings over an interval $`I`$ is as follows. Denote by $`p_1`$ and $`p_2`$ end points of $`I`$. Let $`\pi :PI`$ be an $`n`$-sheeted covering. Denote by $`M`$ the set of connected components of the preimage of $`I^{}`$ in $`P`$. Obviously, $`\mathrm{\#}M=n`$ and the restriction of $`\pi `$ to any component is a homeomorphism.

A point $`p_i`$ ($`i=1,2`$) defines an involutive permutation of set $`M`$, which we denote by $`s_i`$. Thus, to each special covering $`\pi `$ we assign the ordered pair $`(s_1,s_2)`$ of involutions $`s_1,s_2AutMS_n`$. Two pairs $`(s_1,s_2)`$ and $`(s_1^{},s_2^{})`$ are called conjugated if there exists $`gS_n`$ such that $`s_1^{}=gs_1g^1`$ and $`s_2^{}=gs_2g^1`$.

###### Lemma 5.2.

There exists a natural one-to-one correspondence between set $`\mathrm{Cov}_\mathrm{n}(I)`$ of isomorphism classes of $`n`$-sheeted coverings over an interval $`I`$ and the set of conjugacy classes of pairs of involutions in $`S_n`$.

Proof is skipped.

#### 5.1.4. Analogue of Young diagram for pairs of involutions

The analogue of Young diagram can be defined for an ordered pair of involutions. Let $`D_{\mathrm{}}=\mathrm{\Sigma }_1,\sigma _2|\sigma _1^2=\sigma _2^2=1`$ be the infinite dihedral group and $`(s_1,s_2)`$ be an ordered pair of involutive permutations of the symmetric group $`S_n`$ acting by permutations of the set $`M=\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$. Then the correspondence $`\sigma _is_i`$ can be uniquely extended to the representation $`\rho `$ of $`D_{\mathrm{}}`$ by permutations of the set $`M`$. Thus, $`M`$ can be decomposed into the orbits $`M_1,\mathrm{},M_l`$ of $`D_{\mathrm{}}`$. Any orbit can be considered as a transitive representation of $`D_{\mathrm{}}`$.

Let $`M_i`$ be an orbit of $`D_{\mathrm{}}`$. Then it can be of one of four types:

* (type 1) $`\sigma _1`$ and $`\sigma _2`$ has no fixed points in $`M_i`$;
* (type 2) $`\sigma _1`$ has one fixed point and $`\sigma _2`$ has one fixed point;
* (type 3) $`\sigma _1`$ has two fixed point and $`\sigma _2`$ has no fixed point;
* (type 4) $`\sigma _1`$ has no fixed points and $`\sigma _2`$ has two fixed points.

An orbit of type 1 consists of even number $`2n_i`$ of elements and any two orbits of type 1 of $`2n_i`$ elements are equivalent as representations of $`D_{\mathrm{}}`$. An orbit of type 2 consists of odd number $`2n_i1`$ of elements and any two orbits of type 2 of $`2n_i1`$ elements are equivalent as representations of $`D_{\mathrm{}}`$. An orbit of type 3 consists of even number $`2n_i`$ of elements and any two orbits of type 3 of $`2n_i`$ elements are equivalent as representations of $`D_{\mathrm{}}`$. An orbit of type 4 consists of even number $`2n_i`$ of elements and any two orbits of type 4 of $`2n_i`$ elements are equivalent as representations of $`D_{\mathrm{}}`$.

Thus, to each pair $`(s_1,s_2)`$ we can assign a decomposition of $`n`$ into the sum of natural numbers; the sum is separated into four blocks as follows: $`n=(2n_1^1+\mathrm{}+2n_{s_1}^1)+((2n_1^21)+\mathrm{}+(2n_{s_2}^21))+(2n_1^3+\mathrm{}+2n_{s_3}^3)+(2n_1^4+\mathrm{}+2n_{s_4}^4)`$ Blocks correspond to types of orbits, summands in a block are unordered. We denote this decomposition by a single letter $`\beta `$ and call it a dihedral decomposition of $`n`$.

###### Lemma 5.3.

Let $`(s_1,s_2)`$ and $`(s_1^{},s_2^{})`$ be two ordered pairs of involutive elements of $`S_n`$ and $`\beta `$, $`\beta ^{}`$ be corresponding dihedral decompositions of $`n`$. Then $`(s_1,s_2)`$ is conjugated to $`(s_1^{},s_2^{})`$ if and only if $`\beta =\beta ^{}`$.

Proof is skipped.

Thus, dihedral decompositions of $`n`$ are in bijection with conjugacy classes of ordered pairs of involutions. Obviously, one can present $`\beta `$ also as the set of four Young diagrams with easily derived special properties. We call this presentation a dihedral Young diagram of a pair $`(s_1,s_2)`$. In sequel we consider terms ’a dihedral decomposition of $`n`$’ and ’a dihedral Young diagram of order $`n`$’ as synonyms. Let $`\beta `$ be the dihedral Young diagram of a pair $`(s_1,s_2)`$. Denote by $`\beta ^{}`$ a dihedral Young diagram of the pair $`(s_2,s_1)`$. The operation $`\beta \beta ^{}`$ defines an involutive automorphism of the set $`\mathrm{Cov}_\mathrm{n}(I)`$, which we denote by the same sign ””.

###### Lemma 5.4.

Dihedral Young diagram $`\beta ^{}`$ can be obtained from $`\beta `$ by replacing blocks of summands of types 3 and 4.

Proof is elementary.

Assign to each conjugacy class $`[(s_1,s_2)]`$ conjugacy classes of involutions $`[s_1]`$ and $`[s_2]`$ and denote them by $`\iota _1(\beta )`$ and $`\iota _2(\beta )`$ respectively.

A conjugacy classes of a pair $`[(s,s)]`$, $`sS_n`$, is called a trivial class; corresponding dihedral Young diagram is said to be trivial. Evidently, they are in one-to-one correspondence with conjugacy classes of involutive elements in $`S_n`$. The dihedral Young diagram $`\beta `$ of the class $`[(s,s)]`$ is $`n=(2+\mathrm{}+2)+(1+\mathrm{}+1)`$ (blocks of summands of types 3 and 4 are empty).

Fix an orientation of interval $`I`$. Then homeomorphisms of $`I`$ preserving the orientation fixes points $`p_1`$ and $`p_2`$. These homeomorphisms generate the index two subgroup $`Aut^+I`$ of automorphism group $`AutI`$. Evidently, $`Aut^+I`$ acts trivially on the set $`\mathrm{Cov}(I)`$. Thus, oriented topological types of special coverings over a segment $`I`$ are in one-to-one correspondence with dihedral Young diagrams.

Any element from $`AutIAut^+I`$ acts on the set $`\mathrm{Cov}(I)`$ as $`(s_1,s_2)(s_2,s_1)`$. Thus, coverings with dihedral Young diagrams $`\beta `$ and $`\beta ^{}`$ are of the same topological type. Therefore, topological type and isomorphism class of coverings do not coincide for the segment.

#### 5.1.5. Dimension 2

(Fig.6)

Let $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a covering over a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }=_{\lambda \mathrm{\Lambda }}\mathrm{\Omega }_\lambda `$ and $`p\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be any point of base. Topological invariants of the restriction $`\pi _U:P_UU`$ of the covering to a sufficiently small neighborhood $`U`$ of $`p`$ depends only on a stratum containing $`p`$. More precisely, if $`p`$ belongs to the generic stratum, then $`\pi _U`$ is trivial covering, i.e., $`\pi _U`$ mappings $`n`$ copies of $`U`$ onto $`U`$. Thus, $`n`$ is a unique invariant at a generic point.

If $`p`$ is an interior special point, then one can choose $`U`$ isomorphic to an open disc. In this case $`\pi _U`$ is defined, up to topological equivalence, by the topological type of its restriction to the boundary $`U`$ (it is a circle) . Thus, a Young diagram describes the covering in the neighborhood of $`p`$.

If $`p`$ belongs to a one-dimensional boundary stratum $`E`$, then it is convenient to choose $`U`$ homeomorphic to the direct product of a neighborhood $`U_E`$ of $`p`$ in $`E`$ and a ray $`R`$ . Clearly, topological type of the covering $`\pi _U`$ is uniquely defined by the topological type of its restriction to the ray $`R`$. Therefore, the covering in the neighborhood of $`pE`$ is described by a conjugacy class of an involutive element of $`S_n`$.

If $`q`$ is a boundary special point, then it is convenient to choose a neighborhood $`U`$ homeomorphic to an open cone $`𝒞^{}(I)`$ over a closed interval $`I`$. Clearly, isomorphism classes of coverings over $`U`$ are in one-to-one correspondence with isomorphism classes of coverings over $`I`$. As it was mentioned above, topological type of a covering over $`I`$ can include more than one isomorphism classes of coverings over $`I`$. In order to control isomorphism classes of coverings over $`U`$, let us fix an admissible set of local orientations at special points of the surface. Hence, to each boundary special point $`q`$ we can assign an isomorphism class of coverings over the segment, i.e., dihedral Young diagram. This diagram describes the covering in the neighborhood of $`q`$.

Clearly, local invariants of a covering coincide for all points from the same stratum. Thus, to each stratum of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ we assigned a combinatorial invariant.

### 5.2. Cut coverings

Recall that a cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}=(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ is a triple, consisting of

a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$,

a set $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ such that $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ coincides with the joint of several closed pairwise nonintersecting one-dimensional boundary strata,

an involutive homeomorphism $`\tau :\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ having no fixed points (see section 3.2).

Fix a cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}=(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$.

Let $`\pi _{}:P_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ be an $`n`$-sheeted covering. Denote by $`\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}`$ the preimage of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ in $`P_{}`$. Suppose that the following condition holds:

$`()`$
$$\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}P_{}$$

In sequel we deal with coverings $`\pi _{}`$ satisfying this condition.

Denote by $`\xi :\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ the restriction of $`\pi _{}`$ to $`\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}`$. Due to $`()`$ the mapping $`\xi :\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ is an $`n`$-sheeted covering over $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$.

An involutive homeomorphism $`\widehat{\tau }:\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}`$ is called an admissible involution if $`\pi _{}\widehat{\tau }=\tau \pi _{}`$.

###### Definition.

Let $`\pi _{}:P_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ be a covering over a cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$. Suppose condition $`()`$ is satisfied. Let $`\widehat{\tau }:\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}`$ be an admissible involution. Then pair $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau })`$ is called a cut covering.

An isomorphism of two cut coverings $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau })`$ and $`(\pi _{}^{},\widehat{\tau }^{})`$ is an isomorphism $`\varphi :P_{}P_{}^{}`$ of coverings such that $`\widehat{\tau }^{}\varphi =\varphi \widehat{\tau }`$.

Denote by $`𝒞utCov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$ the category of cut coverings over a cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}=(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ with morphisms being isomorphisms of cut coverings; denote by $`\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$ the set of isomorphism classes of cut coverings. In sequel, we shall use the same difference in fonts in order to distinguish a category and the set of isomorphism classes of objects in it and in other cases.

Clearly, $`\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$ is a finite set.

Let $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a covering over stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a cut system, $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ be a cut surface obtained by cutting $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ along $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and $`𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾:\mathrm{\Omega }_{}\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be gluing map.

Clearly, the preimage $`\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}=\pi ^1(\mathrm{\Gamma })`$ is a cut system of $`P`$. Denote by $`(P_{},\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{},\widehat{\tau })`$ the cut surface obtained by cutting $`P`$ along $`\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}`$ and denote by $`\widehat{𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾}`$ the glueing map $`P_{}P`$. Obviously, there is a natural covering $`\pi _{}:P_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ such that the following diagram is commutative.

$$\begin{array}{ccc}P_{}& \stackrel{\widehat{𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾}}{}& P\\ \pi _{}& & \pi & & \\ \mathrm{\Omega }_{}& \underset{𝗀𝗅𝗎𝖾}{}& \mathrm{\Omega }\end{array}$$

Evidently, covering $`\pi _{}`$ satisfies $`()`$ and the correspondence $`\pi \pi _{}`$ is a functor $`𝖼𝗎𝗍:𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega })𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$. This functor generates a map $`𝖼𝗎𝗍:\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$ of isomorphism classes of coverings. Functor $`𝖼𝗎𝗍`$ is a superposition of two functors

(1) $`𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega })𝒞utCov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$ and

(2) $`𝒞utCov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$,

where (1) is induced by cutting along $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and (2) is just ”forgetting” $`\widehat{\tau }`$.

###### Lemma 5.5.

Functor $`𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega })𝒞utCov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$ induces the equivalence of categories.

###### Proof.

One can easily construct an inverse functor $`𝒞utCov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega })`$. It ’glues’ a cut covering $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau })`$ into a covering $`\pi :P_{}/\widehat{\tau }\mathrm{\Omega }`$. ∎

Let $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ be a cut surface. Denote by $`𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{})`$ the subcategory of $`𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$, that consists of coverings $`\pi _{}:P_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ over $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ satisfying condition $`()`$.

Fix a covering $`\pi _{}𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{})`$; denote by $`[\pi _{}]`$ its class. Denote by $`\xi `$ the restriction $`\pi _{}|_{\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}}`$.

Clearly, an automorphism of covering $`\pi _{}`$ induces the automorphism of covering $`\xi `$. Hence, we obtain a homomorphism $`\varphi :Aut\pi _{}Aut\xi `$. The preimage of a generic point of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ consists of $`n`$ elements where $`n`$ is the degree of $`\pi _{}`$. Therefore, $`\varphi `$ is a monomorphism. We shall consider group $`Aut\pi _{}`$ as a subgroup of $`Aut\xi `$.

Denote by $`T(\pi _{})`$ the set of all admissible involutions $`\widehat{\tau }:\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}`$.

Clearly, the composition $`\widehat{\tau }\widehat{\tau }^{}`$ of two admissible involutions is an automorphism of covering $`\xi `$ and vice versa, the composition of an admissible involution and an automorphism of $`\xi `$ is an admissible involution. Hence, the number of admissible involutions $`|T(\pi _{})|`$ coincides with the order of group $`Aut\xi `$.

Group $`Aut\xi `$ acts on $`T(\pi _{})`$ as follows: $`g(\widehat{\tau })(x)=g\widehat{\tau }g^1(x)`$, where $`gAut\xi `$, $`\widehat{\tau }T(\pi _{})`$, $`x\widehat{\mathrm{\Gamma }}_{}`$.

Denote by $`\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})_{[\pi _{}]}`$ the preimage of $`[\pi _{}]`$ under the map $`\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$ (coming from functor (2) above).

###### Lemma 5.6.

There exists a bijection between the set $`\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _{}]}`$ and the set of orbits $`T(\pi _{})/Aut(\pi _{})`$.

###### Proof.

Choose a representative $`\pi _{}[\pi _{}]`$. Any class from $`\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})_{[\pi _{}]}`$ contains a representative $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau })`$ that includes just the covering $`\pi _{}`$. Clearly, cut coverings $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau })`$ and $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau }^{})`$ with the same $`\pi _{}`$ are isomorphic, if and only if $`\widehat{\tau }`$ and $`\widehat{\tau }^{}`$ belong to the same orbit of $`Aut\pi _{}`$. ∎

Evidently, isomorphic coverings have isomorphic automorphism groups. Therefore, we can assign the isomorphism class of groups $`Aut[\pi ]`$ to an isomorphism class of coverings $`[\pi ]`$. Analogously, to $`[\pi _{}]`$ we assign a class of isomorpic sets of admissible involutions $`T([\pi ])`$.

By lemma 5.5 there is a bijection between sets $`\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})`$ and $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$. Denote by $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _{}]}`$ the image of $`\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})_{[\pi _{}]}`$ in $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$.

###### Theorem 5.1.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a cut system of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Denote by $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ a cut surface obtained by cutting $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ along $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$. Let $`[\pi _{}]`$ be an arbitrary class of isomorphic coverings $`\pi _{}:P_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ satisfying $`()`$. Then

$$\underset{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _{}]}}{}\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}=|T([\pi _{}])|\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi _{}]|}.$$

###### Proof.

Clearly, the stabilizer of $`\widehat{\tau }T(\pi _{})`$ in group $`Aut\pi _{}`$ coincides with the group of all automorphisms of cut covering $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau })`$. By lemma 5.5, there is the bijection between cut coverings over cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ and coverings over $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Let $`\pi 𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ corresponds to cut covering $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau })`$. Therefore, the stabilizer of $`\widehat{\tau }`$ in $`Aut\pi _{}`$ is isomorphic to $`Aut\pi `$. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Delta }([\pi ])`$ the orbit in $`T([\pi _{}])`$ corresponding to $`[\pi ]`$ (see lemma 5.6). Hence $`|\mathrm{\Delta }([\pi ])|=\frac{|Aut[\pi _{}]|}{|Aut[\pi ]|}`$.

In order to complete the proof substitute the latter equality into the equality $`|T(\pi _{})|=_{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _{}]}}|\mathrm{\Delta }(\pi )|`$ which reflects the decomposition of $`T(\pi _{})`$ into orbits of $`Aut\pi _{}`$. The claim of theorem coincides with obtained equality up to algebraic transformations. ∎

Remark. Theorem 5.1 can be easily generalized to stratified coverings in any dimension.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a cut system of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Denote by $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{},\tau )`$ a cut surface obtained by cutting $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ along $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and denote by $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ the contracted cut surface.

Let $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified covering. Denote by $`(\pi _{},\widehat{\tau })`$ the cut covering corresponding to $`\pi `$. By definition, $`\pi _{}𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{})`$. Clearly, covering $`\pi _{}:P_{}\mathrm{\Omega }_{}`$ induces the covering $`\pi _\mathrm{\#}:P_\mathrm{\#}\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ where $`P_\mathrm{\#}`$ is the surface obtained by contracting to a point each connected component of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$.

###### Lemma 5.7.

The correspondence $`\pi _{}\pi _\mathrm{\#}`$ induces the bijection between sets $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{})`$ and $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})`$ of classes of equivalent coverings.

Proof is skipped.

Let $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ be a cut system of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. The composition of maps $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })\mathrm{CutCov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{})\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_{},\mathrm{\Gamma }_{})\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})`$ defines the map $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})`$. By theorem 5.1 and lemma 5.7, there is a relation between number $`\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]|}`$ where $`[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})`$ and numbers $`\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}`$ for all preimages $`[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ of $`[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]`$. We shall rewrite them below in slightly different form for simple cuts of all classes.

Let $`\gamma `$ be a simple cut of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Thus, in our notations $`\mathrm{\Gamma }=\{\gamma \}`$. We will write $`\gamma `$, $`\gamma _{}`$, etc. instead of $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{}`$ etc.

Clearly, there are three possibilities for $`\gamma _{}`$: (1) $`\gamma _{}`$ consists of two ovals; (2) $`\gamma _{}`$ consists of two segments; (3) $`\gamma _{}`$ consists of one oval.

Denote by $`r^{}`$, $`r^{\prime \prime }`$ two special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ coming from components of $`\gamma _{}`$ in cases (1) and (2) and by $`r`$ the analogous point in case (3).

We have to fix local orientations at points $`r^{},r^{\prime \prime }`$ or at $`r`$. It is required that these local orientations can be completed to an admissible set of local orientations at all special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. In any case there are local orientations at $`r^{},r^{\prime \prime }`$ or $`r`$ (case (3)) induced by an orientation of simple cut $`\gamma `$. Note, that these local orientations may not satisfy the requirement. We correct them by the following rule. If $`\gamma `$ is a simple cut of class 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 than change the local orientation at point $`r^{\prime \prime }`$ by opposite one. Fix obtained local orientations and denote them by $`^{},^{\prime \prime }`$ or $``$ (case (3)). It can be checked that these orientations satisfy the requirement.

Let $`\pi `$ be a covering over $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\gamma _{}^{}`$ be a connected component of $`\gamma _{}`$. There is an orientation of $`\gamma _{}^{}`$ that is compatible with fixed local orientation at point $`r^{}\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ coming from the contraction of $`\gamma _{}^{}`$. Denote by $`\xi ^{}`$ the restriction of covering $`\pi _{}`$ to the preimage $`\pi _{}^1(\gamma _{}^{})`$. Thus, we have that $`\xi ^{}`$ is defined, up to isomorphism, either by a Young diagram or by a dihedral Young diagram.

Therefore, we obtain a local invariant of covering $`\pi _\mathrm{\#}:P_\mathrm{\#}\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ at this point as either a Young diagram or a dihedral Young diagram.

Let $`\pi _\mathrm{\#}`$ be an arbitrary covering over $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. Denote by $`\alpha ^{}`$, $`\alpha ^{\prime \prime }`$ the Young diagram describing local invariants of $`\pi _\mathrm{\#}`$ at points $`r^{}`$, $`r^{\prime \prime }`$ resp. in case (1). Analogously, denote by $`\beta ^{}`$, $`\beta ^{\prime \prime }`$ dihedral Young diagrams in case (2) and by $`\alpha `$ Young diagram in case (3).

Denote by $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]}`$ the preimage of $`[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ in $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$.

Put $`\alpha ^{}=\alpha `$ for a Young diagramm $`\alpha `$. We use $`\alpha ^{}`$ below in order to obtain forumas that will be correct also for coverings with structure group $`G`$ different from $`S_n`$.

###### Corollary 5.1.

Let $`\gamma `$ be a simple cut of a stratified surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\pi _\mathrm{\#}`$ be a covering over contracted cut surface $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$. Then the following identities hold:
(1) If $`\gamma `$ belongs to one of classes 1, 2 then

$$\underset{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]}}{}\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}=\delta _{\alpha ^{},\alpha _{}^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}}|Aut\alpha ^{}|\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]|}$$

(2) If $`\gamma `$ belongs to class 3 then

$$\underset{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]}}{}\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}=\delta _{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}|Aut\alpha ^{}|\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]|}$$

(3) If $`\gamma `$ belongs to one of classes 5,6,7 then

$$\underset{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]}}{}\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}=\delta _{\beta ^{},\beta _{}^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}}|Aut\beta ^{}|\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]|}$$

(4) If $`\gamma `$ belongs to one of classes 8,9 then

$$\underset{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]}}{}\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}=\delta _{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}|Aut\beta ^{}|\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]|}$$

(5) If $`\gamma `$ belongs to class 4 then

$$\underset{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]}}{}\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}=d_\alpha \frac{1}{|Aut[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]|}$$

where $`d_\alpha `$ is a number of involutions in symmetric group $`S_n`$ having no fixed points and commuting with an element $`gS_n`$ that belongs to conjugated class corresponding to Young diagram $`\alpha `$.

Proof follows from theorem 5.1 and lemma 5.7.

### 5.3. Hurwitz topological field theory

Denote by $`𝒜=𝒜_n`$ the set of Young diagrams of order $`n`$ and denote by $`A`$ a vector space of formal linear combinations of Young diagrams. Denote by $`=_n`$ the set of dihedral Young diagrams of order $`n`$ and denote by $`B`$ a vector space of formal linear combinations of dihedral Young diagrams. Define an involutive linear transformation $`{}_{}{}^{}:AA`$ as identical map. Define an involutive linear transformation $`{}_{}{}^{}:BB`$ as linear continuation of the map $`\beta \beta ^{}`$ for dihedral Young diagram $`\beta `$.

Let $`(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)`$ be a pair consisting of a stratified surface and a set of local orientations $`𝒪`$ at special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Omega }_a`$ the set of interior special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and by $`\mathrm{\Omega }_b`$ the set of boundary special points.

Let $`\alpha :\mathrm{\Omega }_a𝒜`$ and $`\beta :\mathrm{\Omega }_b`$ be two maps. Denote by $`\alpha _p`$ (resp., $`\beta _q`$) the image of an interior special point $`p`$ (resp., boundary special point $`q`$) in set $`𝒜`$ (resp.,$``$). Denote by $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})`$ the set of isomorphism classes of coverings having a local invariant $`\alpha _p`$ at each point $`p\mathrm{\Omega }_a`$ and a local invariant $`\beta _q`$ at each point $`q\mathrm{\Omega }_b`$.

We shall define linear function $`H_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}:V_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$, where $`V_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}=(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}A_p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}B_q)`$.

Assume first that $`𝒪`$ is an admissible set of local orientations. Then for element $`(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q)V_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ put

$$H_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q))=_{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})}\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}.$$

Elements $`(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q)`$ form a basis of $`V_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$, hence we can expand $`H_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ by linearity. For nonadmissible $`𝒪`$ define linear form $`H_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ in such a way that axiom $`2^{}`$ of Klein field theory is satisfied. This rule correctly defines $`H_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ in all cases because $`_{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})}\frac{1}{|Aut\pi |}`$ does not depend on the choice of an admissible set of local orientations.

###### Theorem 5.2.

The set of data $`=\{A,^{}:AA,B,^{}:BB,H_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}\}`$ is a Klein topological field theory. We call it Hurwitz topological field theory of degree $`n`$.

###### Proof.

Evidently, axioms $`1^{}`$, $`2^{}`$, $`3^{}`$ and $`4^{}`$ are satisfied. Bilinear forms can be easely computed. We obtain equalities: $`(\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime })_A=\delta _{\alpha ^{},\alpha _{}^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}}\frac{1}{|Aut\alpha ^{}|}`$ and $`(\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime })_B=\delta _{\beta ^{},\beta _{}^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}}\frac{1}{|Aut\beta ^{}|}`$. Element $`UA`$ is equal to $`_\alpha d_\alpha (\alpha ,\alpha )_A`$ where numbers $`d_\alpha `$ are defined in corollary 5.1. Cleary, there are the following identities for tensors corresponding to bilinear forms and $`U`$: $`F^{\alpha ^{},\alpha ^{\prime \prime }}=\delta _{\alpha ^{},\alpha _{}^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}}|Aut\alpha ^{}|`$, $`F^{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}=\delta _{\beta ^{},\beta _{}^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}}|Aut\beta ^{}|`$, $`D^\alpha =d_\alpha `$.

Axiom $`5^{}`$ essentially follows from theorem 5.1 and corollary 5.1.

For example, let us verify the axiom for $`\gamma `$ of class 5.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified surface, $`𝒪`$ be a set of local orientations at special points and and $`\gamma `$ be a simple cut of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of class 5, i.e., a cut between two holes. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ the contracted cut surface.

The set $`(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#})_0`$ of all special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ consists of the image of set $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0`$ and two additional boundary points $`q^{}`$, $`q^{\prime \prime }`$ coming from connected components of $`\gamma _{}`$. Choose a set of local orientations $`𝒪`$ such that the following conditions are satisfied. First, $`𝒪`$ is an admissible set of local orientations. Second, induced set of local orientations $`𝒪_\mathrm{\#}`$ at special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}`$ coincides with an admissible set of local orientations $`𝒪_{\mathrm{\#}adm}`$ in all points except $`q^{\prime \prime }`$. Clearly, for any $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`\gamma `$ of class 5 it is possible to choose $`𝒪`$ satisfying these conditions. (Note, that there is no admissible set of local orientations $`𝒪`$ such that $`𝒪_\mathrm{\#}`$ is also admissible set of local orientations.)

Fix an interior primary field $`\alpha _p`$ at each interior special point $`p`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and a dihedral primary field $`\beta _q`$ at each boundary special point $`q`$ of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Denote by $`x=(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q))`$ the element of vector space $`V_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$. Then, by definition, element $`\eta _{}(x)V_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}`$ is equal to $`y=_{\beta ^{},\beta ^{\prime \prime }}F^{\beta ^{}\beta ^{\prime \prime }}(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q)\beta ^{}\beta _{}^{\prime \prime }{}_{}{}^{}`$.

Sustitute the values $`F^{\beta ^{}\beta ^{\prime \prime }}`$: $`y=_\beta |Aut\beta |(_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q))\beta \beta `$.

Introduce notation:

$`R=H_{(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})}(\eta _{}(x))`$

Substitute $`y=\eta _{}(x)`$:

$`R=_\beta |Aut\beta |H_{(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_\mathrm{\#})}((_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q)\beta \beta )`$

By (already established) invariance of change of local orientations, we obtain:

$`R=_\beta |Aut\beta |H_{(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_{\mathrm{\#}adm})}((_{p\mathrm{\Omega }_a}\alpha _p)(_{q\mathrm{\Omega }_b}\beta _q)\beta \beta ^{})`$

By definition of $`H_{(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},𝒪_{\mathrm{\#}adm})}`$,

$`R=_\beta |Aut\beta |_{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#},\{\alpha _p\},\{\{\beta _q\},\beta ,\beta ^{}\})}\frac{1}{|Aut\pi _\mathrm{\#}|}`$

By theorem 5.1 and corollary 5.1 we have

$`R=_\beta |Aut\beta |_{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}),\{\alpha _p\},\{\{\beta _q\},\beta ,\beta ^{}\})\frac{1}{|Aut\beta |}}_{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _{}]}}\frac{1}{|Aut\pi |}=`$

$`=_\beta _{[\pi _\mathrm{\#}]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega }_\mathrm{\#}),\{\alpha _p\},\{\{\beta _q\},\beta ,\beta ^{}\})}_{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })_{[\pi _{}]}}\frac{1}{|Aut\pi |}=`$

$`=_{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })}\frac{1}{|Aut\pi |}=H_{(\mathrm{\Omega },𝒪)}(x)`$.

For other class of simple cuts axiom $`5^{}`$ can be verified quit similar.

Axiom $`6^{}`$ is satisfied because the sum $`_{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})}\frac{1}{|Aut[\pi ]|}`$ is multiplicative with respect to disjoint union of surfaces.

Structure algebra of Hurwitz topological field theory is a vector space $`H=AB`$ with multiplication constructed by tensors from $`𝒞()`$.

Let $`\overline{H}=\overline{A}\overline{B}`$ be a structure algebra of symmetric group. Note that Young diagram $`\alpha `$ corresponds to a class of conjugated elements of $`S_n`$. This class we denote by the same sign $`\alpha `$. Define a linear map $`\varphi :A\overline{A}`$ as $`\varphi (\alpha )=E_\alpha `$, where $`E_\alpha =_{g\alpha }g`$ is an element of the center of group algebra $`[S_n]`$. Analogously, dihedral Young diagram $`\beta `$ corresponds to a conjugacy class of ordered pairs of involution in $`S_n`$. Put $`\varphi (\beta )=E_\beta `$, where $`E_\beta =_{(s_1,s_2)\beta }E_{s_1,s_2}`$ and $`E_{s_1,s_2}=((\delta _{s_1,s_2}))M(S_n)`$.

###### Theorem 5.3.

The linear map $`\varphi `$ is an isomorphism between the structure algebra of Hurwitz topological field theory of degree $`n`$ and the structure algebra of symmetric group $`S_n`$.

###### Proof.

Obviously, $`\varphi `$ defines an isomorphism of linear spaces $`H`$ and $`\overline{H}`$. Moreover, $`\varphi `$ preserves scalar products on $`A`$ and $`B`$ and commutes with ’’ involutions.

In order to prove that $`\varphi `$ is an isomorphism of structure algebras it is sufficient to check the following equalities:
(1) $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}=S_{E_{\alpha _1},E_{\alpha _2},E_{\alpha _3}}`$,
(2) $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}=T_{E_{\beta _1},E_{\beta _2},E_{\beta _3}}`$,
(3) $`R_{\alpha ,\beta }=R_{E_\alpha ,E_\beta }`$.

Proof of (1). After Hurwitz, it is known that computation of weighted numbers of isomorphism classes of coverings over two-dimensional sphere is equivalent to the solution of factorization problem in $`S_n`$ (see ).

Therefore, $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}=|(\{(a_1,a_2,a_3)|a_i\alpha _i,a_1a_2a_3=1\}/S_n)|`$, where $`gS_n`$ acts as $`(a_1,a_2,a_3)(ga_1g^1,ga_2g^1,ga_3g^1)`$. By direct calculations, we obtain that $`E_{\alpha _1}E_{\alpha _2}=S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}^{\alpha _3}E_{\alpha _3}`$, where $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2}^{\alpha _3}=S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}|Aut\alpha _3|`$. Hence, $`S_{\alpha _1,\alpha _2,\alpha _3}=S_{E_{\alpha _1},E_{\alpha _2},E_{\alpha _3}}`$.

Proof of (2). By definition $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}`$ is a number of equivalent classes of coverings over triangle $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ with local invariants at vertices $`q_i`$ equal to $`\beta _i`$ ($`i=1,2,3`$).

Let $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Delta }`$ be a stratified covering. Evidently, preimage of $`\mathrm{\Delta }^{}`$ consists of $`n`$ connected components and each one if homeomorphic to $`\mathrm{\Delta }^{}`$. An edge $`e_{i,j}`$ of $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ defines a involutive permutation $`s_{i,j}`$ of these preimages. Therefore, the covering is uniquely defined by triple of involutions $`(s_{0,1},s_{1,2},s_{2,0})`$ of symmetric group $`S_n`$ up to equivalence $`(s_{0,1},s_{1,2},s_{2,0})(gs_{0,1}g^1,gs_{1,2}g^1,gs_{2,0}g^1)`$. Conversely an equivalent class $`[(s_{0,1},s_{1,2},s_{2,0})]`$ of triple of involutions defines an equivalent class of coverings over $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$. Local invariant at vertex $`q_i`$ is a dihedral Young diagram $`\beta _i`$ corresponding to a conjugacy class $`[(s_{i1,i},s_{i,i+1})]`$ (where $`i1`$ and $`i+1`$ are taken modulo $`3`$) of the pair of involutions.

Hence, $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}=|(\{(s_{0,1},s_{1,2},s_{2,0})|s_{i,i+1}S_n,s_{i,i+1}^2=1,[(s_{i1,i},s_{i,i+1})]=\beta _i\}/)|`$. By direct calculations we obtain that $`E_{\beta _1}E_{\beta _2}=T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}|Aut\beta _3|E_{\beta _3^{}}`$. Therefore, $`T_{\beta _1,\beta _2,\beta _3}=T_{E_{\beta _1},E_{\beta _2},E_{\beta _3}}`$

Proof of (3). By definition $`R_{\alpha ,\beta }`$ is the number of equivalent classes of coverings over disc $`(D,p,q)`$ with local invariant $`\alpha `$ at interior special point $`p`$ and local invariant $`\beta `$ at boundary special point $`q`$.

Let $`\pi :PD`$ be a stratified covering. Let us connect points $`p`$ and $`q`$ by a segment $`\delta `$ and denote by $`D^{}`$ the set of all interior point except $`\delta `$. Evidently, the preimage of $`D^{}`$ consists of $`n`$ connected components and each one is homeomorphic to $`D^{}`$.

Segment $`\delta `$ defines a permutation $`a`$ of these preimages and the boundary circle defines an involutive permutation $`s`$ of these preimages. (If $`X`$ is a connected component of the preimage of $`D^{}`$ then $`Y=s(X)`$ is another component such that $`\overline{X}\overline{Y}`$ is equal to a connected component of the preimage of a boundary without point $`q`$; if there no such component then $`s(X)=X`$). Therefore, the covering is uniquely defined by a pair $`(a,s)`$ up to equivalence $`(a,s)(gag^1,gsg^1)`$.

Conversely an equivalent class $`[(a,s)]`$ defines an equivalent class of coverings over $`D`$. Local invariant at vertex $`p`$ is Young diagram $`\alpha =[a]`$ and local invariant at vertex $`q`$ is dihedral Young diagram $`\beta `$ corresponding to a pair of involutions $`(s,asa^1)`$. Hence, $`R_{\alpha ,\beta }=|(\{(a,s)|a,sS_n,a\alpha ,(s,asa^1)\beta \}/)|`$. By direct calculations we obtain that $`(E_\alpha ,E_\beta )=R_{\alpha ,\beta }`$ (see subsection 2.3)

### 5.4. Hurwitz numbers

Classical Hurwitz numbers are weighted numbers of algebraic maps $`f:PQ`$ to Riemann sphere $`Q=S^2`$ having prescribed branchings at finite number of fixed points $`z_1,\mathrm{},z_mQ`$. Young diagramms $`\alpha _1,\mathrm{},\alpha _m`$ are fixed. It is required that $`z_1,\mathrm{},z_m`$ are critical values of $`f`$ and the branching of $`f`$ at $`z_i`$ is described by Young diagramm $`\alpha _i`$.

We use term ’generalized Hurwitz numbers’ or ’Hurwitz numbers’ for short for morphisms of both complex and real algebraic curves, an arbitrary base $`Q`$ and an arbitrary local types of branchings. Definitions are given below.

A real algebraic curve is a pair $`(P,\tau )`$, where $`P`$ is a complex algebraic curve, i.e., a compact Riemann surface, and $`\tau :PP`$ is an antiholomorphic involution . Involution $`\tau `$ is called complex conjugation. Fixed points of $`\tau `$ are called real points of the real curve $`(P,\tau )`$. An algebraic map $`f:(P,\tau )(Q,\omega )`$ of real algebraic curves is defined as a holomorphic map $`f:PQ`$ such that $`f\tau =\omega f`$.

Algebraic maps $`f:(P,\tau )(Q,\omega )`$ of a fixed degree $`n`$ to a fixed real algebraic curve form a category $`ap(Q,\omega )`$; a morphism $`\varphi :ff^{}`$, where $`f:(P,\tau )(Q,\omega )`$ and $`f^{}:(P^{},\tau ^{})(Q,\omega )`$ are two algebraic maps to $`(Q,\omega )`$, is defined as a holomorphic map $`\varphi :P^{}P`$ such that $`\varphi \tau ^{}=\tau \varphi `$ and $`f^{}=f\varphi `$.

Any complex algebraic curve $`P_c`$ generates real algebraic curve $`(P,\tau )`$. Namely, $`P=P_c\overline{P}_c`$ where $`\overline{P}_c`$ is $`P_c`$ endowed with conjugated complex structure and $`\tau `$ is just permutation of components $`P_c`$ and $`\overline{P}_c`$. Thus, complex algebraic curves can be considered as a particular case of real algebraic curves.

Denote by $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ the factor-space $`Q/\tau `$. It is known that $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ carries the structure of Klein surface . This implies that $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is nooriented, possibly nonorientable, possibly with boundary, surface endowed with an atlas such that any transaction function is dianalitic, i.e., either holomorphic or antiholomorphic function . Morphisms of Klein surfaces are defined as dianalitic functions. According to  the category of real algebraic curves is isomorphic to the category of Klein surfaces.

Fix a real curve $`(Q,\omega )`$ and put $`\mathrm{\Omega }=Q/\tau `$. Any morphism $`f:(P,\tau )(Q,\omega )`$ of real algebraic curves generates the dianalytic map $`\pi (f):P/\tau \mathrm{\Omega }`$. Denote by $`p_1,\mathrm{},p_m\mathrm{\Omega }`$ critical values of $`\pi (f)`$ that are interior points, and denote by $`q_1^j,\mathrm{},q_{m_j}^j`$ critical values of $`\pi (f)`$ that belong to $`j`$-th boundary contour of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Clearly, points $`p_i,q_i^j`$ come from critical values $`z_0,\mathrm{},z_tQ`$ of $`f`$: an interior point $`p_i`$ is the image of two points $`z_k,z_l`$, a boundary point $`q_i^j`$ is the image of one point $`z_r`$ and $`z_r`$ is a fixed point of $`\tau `$. Points $`p_i,q_i^j`$ induce the stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Forgetting dianalitic structures on $`P/\tau `$ and $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ we obtain that $`\pi (f)`$ is a stratified covering, i.e., an element of $`𝒞ov(\mathrm{\Omega })`$.

Fix the stratification of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ with special points $`p_i,q_i^j`$. According to  forgetting dianalitic structures induces the bijection between the set of isomorphism classes of dianalitic maps to $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$, such that all critical values are special points of the stratification, and the set $`\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ of isomorphism classes of stratified covering over $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Thus, up to isomorphisms, algebraic maps to $`(Q,\tau )`$ can be identified with stratified coverings over $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

The latter fact allows us to define Hurwitz numbers for real algebraic curves in topological terms. Namely, define Hurwitz numbers for $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ as

$$\mathrm{Hurw}_n(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})=\underset{[\pi ]\mathrm{Cov}(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})}{}\frac{1}{|Aut\pi |}$$

Here $`\alpha _p`$ (resp., $`\beta _q`$) is a Young diagram (resp., a dihedral Young diagram) of degree $`n`$ assigned to an iterior special point $`p`$ (resp., to a boundary special point $`q`$) of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.

By previous considerations, these Hurwitz numbers are weighted numbers of classes of alrebraic maps with prescribed branchings to real algebraic curve $`(Q,\tau )`$.

For $`G=(0,1)`$ our definition gives weighted numbers of meromorphic functions with fixed critical values of fixed topological types. They includes numbers that were first introduced by Hurwitz .

By the results of previous subsection, Hurwitz numbers are equal to correlators for Hurwitz topological field theory. Thus, from theorem 5.3 and theorem 4.4 we get the following theorem.

###### Theorem 5.4.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified surface of type $`G`$. Fix an admissible set of local orientations at special points of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$.Then
(1)

$$\mathrm{Hurw}_n(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})=\alpha _1,\mathrm{},\alpha _m,(\beta _{1}^{}{}_{}{}^{1},\mathrm{},\beta _{m_1}^1),\mathrm{},(\beta _1^s,\mathrm{},\beta _{m_s}^s)_G$$

(2) If $`G=(g,1,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ then

$$\mathrm{Hurw}_n(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})=$$

$$=(\alpha _1\mathrm{}\alpha _m(\beta _1^1\mathrm{}\beta _{m_1}^1)V_{K_B}(\beta _1^2\mathrm{}\beta _{m_1}^2)\mathrm{}V_{K_B}(\beta _1^s\mathrm{}\beta _{m_s}^s),K_A^g)$$

(3) If $`G=(g,0,m,m_1,\mathrm{},m_s)`$ then

$$\mathrm{Hurw}_n(\mathrm{\Omega },\{\alpha _p\},\{\beta _q\})=$$

$$=(\alpha _1\mathrm{}\alpha _m(\beta _1^1\mathrm{}\beta _{m_1}^1)V_{K_B}(\beta _1^2\mathrm{}\beta _{m_1}^2)\mathrm{}V_{K_B}(\beta _1^s\mathrm{}\beta _{m_s}^s),U^{2g})$$

In (2) and (3) right hand sides are expressions in the structure algebra associated with symmetric group $`S_n`$ (see subsection 2.3).

Remark.

Let $`G`$ be a finite group and $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified surface. Denote by $`𝒞ov_G(\mathrm{\Omega })`$ the caregory of stratified coverings with structure group $`G`$ ($`G`$-coverings). A definition of a $`G`$-covering in the case of stratified surfaces possibly with boundary is a generalization of a standard one and should be explained.

Fix a generic point $`x\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Let $`\delta \mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a path with ends at $`x`$. Path $`\delta `$ is called generic if it does not cross any special point and cross the boundary of $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ in finitely many points.

Let $`\pi :P\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a stratified covering and $`\widehat{x}P`$ be one of preimages of $`x`$. Lift $`\delta `$ to $`\widehat{\delta }P`$ using the following rule of lifting through a point $`\widehat{y}`$ such that $`\pi (y)\delta \mathrm{\Omega }`$: if the covering $`\pi _U:\widehat{U}U`$ of a neighborhood $`\widehat{U}`$ of point $`\widehat{y}`$ over $`U=\pi (\widehat{U})`$ is two-sheeted covering then $`\widehat{\delta }`$ must go from one sheet of $`\widehat{U}`$ to another sheet through point $`\widehat{y}`$.

This rule allows to define a fundamental group, a monodromy group etc. for stratified surfaces and stratified covering. All theory of fundamental group is consistent for this generalization. Note that these definitions are valid for all dimensions in the case of specially stratified manifolds and specially stratified coverings (see definition Definition). (Recall that in this work we deal with specially stratified surfaces and specially stratified coverings only).

Fix an action of group $`G`$ on the set of preimages of $`x`$. A covering $`\pi `$ is said to be $`G`$-covering if (generalized) monodromy group at $`x`$ is contained in $`G`$. All definitions and considerations of this section, particularly, the definition of Hurwitz numbers, can be applied to $`G`$-coverings without changes. Thus, we can construct ’$`G`$-Hurwitz topological field theory’. Structure algebra of it is isomorphic to the structure algebra of group $`G`$. $`G`$-Hurwitz numbers have just the same representation as in theorem 5.4; these formulas coincide with correlators for $`G`$-Hurwitz topological field theory.

$`G`$-Hurwits numbers for oriented surfaces without a boundary were considered in .

A.Alexeevski

Belozersky Institute, Moscow State University

Moscow 119899

aba@belozersky.msu.ru

S.Natanzon

Belozersky Institute, Moscow State University

Moscow 119899

Independent University of Moscow

Institute Theoretical and Experimental Physics

natanzon@mccme.ru