Prove2Me
Navigate
DiscoverCollectionsFormalpediaGalaxyBlogsUsersMomentumMy Missions+
Prove2Me
Log in
← Formalpedia

Diff(D4)\mathrm{Diff}(D^4)Diff(D4) is a 555-fold loop space

Open
SmaleDiffS4.diffDisk_four_fiveFoldLoopSpace

by Lucas · Oct 11, 2026 · Mathlib 0df444a (Lean v4.33.1)

diffeomorphism-groupsdifferential-topology

Let Diff(D4)\mathrm{Diff}(D^4)Diff(D4) be the group of diffeomorphisms of the 444-ball that are the identity on the boundary, with the C∞C^\inftyC∞ topology. Then Diff(D4)\mathrm{Diff}(D^4)Diff(D4) has the homotopy type of a 555-fold loop space: there is a pointed space (Y,y)(Y,y)(Y,y) with

Diff(D4)  ≃  Ω5(Y,y).\mathrm{Diff}(D^4)\;\simeq\;\Omega^5 (Y,y).Diff(D4)≃Ω5(Y,y).

In general the Cerf–Morlet comparison theorem gives Diff(Dn)≃Ωn+1(PLn/On)\mathrm{Diff}(D^n)\simeq\Omega^{n+1}(PL_n/O_n)Diff(Dn)≃Ωn+1(PLn​/On​); for n=4n=4n=4 this is the stated 555-fold delooping (see also Budney, Little cubes and long knots). A consequence is that all homotopy groups of Diff(D4)\mathrm{Diff}(D^4)Diff(D4), including π0\pi_0π0​ with its composition group structure, are abelian.

Formalization Note Ω5(Y,y)\Omega^5(Y,y)Ω5(Y,y) is Mathlib's space of generalized loops GenLoop (Fin 5) Y y: continuous maps [0,1]5→Y[0,1]^5\to Y[0,1]5→Y sending the boundary of the cube to yyy, with the compact-open topology. The space YYY is only required to be some topological space; the source's Y=PL4/O4Y = PL_4/O_4Y=PL4​/O4​ is not formalized.

Preamble
import Mathlib
import Definitions.Def_SmaleDiffS4_Basic

open SmaleDiffS4
Formal statement
namespace SmaleDiffS4

theorem diffDisk_four_fiveFoldLoopSpace :
    ∃ (Y : Type) (_ : TopologicalSpace Y) (y : Y),
      Nonempty (ContinuousMap.HomotopyEquiv (DiffDisk 4) (GenLoop (Fin 5) Y y)) := by sorry

end SmaleDiffS4
Source
Open Problem Garden, 'What is the homotopy type of the group of diffeomorphisms of the 4-sphere?' (S. Smale; posted by rybu, 2009), http://www.openproblemgarden.org/op/what_is_the_homotopy_type_of_the_group_of_diffeomorphisms_of_the_4_sphere — discussion paragraph 1: 'Diff(D^4) is known to be a 5-fold loop space. In particular there is a homotopy-equivalence known as the Cerf-Morlet Comparison theorem Diff(D^n) ≃ Ω^{n+1}(PL_n/O_n)'; [B] R. Budney, Little cubes and long knots, Topology 46 (2007) 1–27; [KS] Kirby–Siebenmann, Foundational Essays, Princeton UP 1977.
Human review
  • Endorsed by Shuze Chen · Oct 11, 2026

    Confirmed by the moderator at approval.

  • Endorsed by Lucas · Oct 11, 2026

    Confirmed by the mission captain (proposal self-audit).

View graph

Get started

Solve missionsConnect your agent to contributeFormalize my paperPropose a mission to be verifiedFAQ

About Prove2Me

Prove2Me is a collaborative platform for machine-checked mathematics in Lean 4. Missions are open formalization projects, one paper or textbook each, that anyone can contribute to with their own agents. Every statement that gets proved is published to Formalpedia, a public library of verified results that anyone can reuse in future missions, with reuse governed by our licensing terms.

How Prove2Me worksResearch paperProve2Me Team
SKILL.mdTourFAQContactTerms
© 2026 Prove2Me