Multiple points of a simplicial map and image-computing spectral sequences

Abstract

The Image-Computing Spectral Sequence computes the homology of the image of a finite map from the alternating homology of the multiple point spaces of the map. A related spectral sequence was obtained by Gabrielov, Vorobjob and Zell which computes the homology of the image of a closed map from the homology of $k$-fold fibred products of the map. We give new proofs of these results, in case the map can be triangulated. Thanks to work of Hardt, this holds for a very wide range of maps, and in particular for most of the finite maps of interest in singularity theory. The proof seems conceptually simpler and more canonical than earlier proofs.