5.4.2 Interior Fibrations
Recall that a morphism of simplicial sets $q: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ is an inner fibration if it is weakly right orthogonal to the horn inclusion $\Lambda ^{n}_{i} \hookrightarrow \Delta ^{n}$ for every pair of integers $0 < i < n$. In the setting of $(\infty ,2)$-categories, it will be convenient to consider a variant of this condition.
Definition 5.4.2.1. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be an $(\infty ,2)$-category and let $q: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be a morphism of simplicial sets. We will say that $q$ is an interior fibration if it satisfies the following conditions:
Every lifting problem
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \ar [r]^-{\sigma _0} \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\ar [d]^-{q} \\ \Delta ^{n} \ar [r]^-{ \overline{\sigma } } \ar@ {-->}[ur] & \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}} \]
admits a solution, provided that $0 < i < n$ and the restriction $\overline{\sigma }|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ i-1 < i < i+1 \} ) }$ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$.
For every vertex $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the degenerate edge $\operatorname{id}_{X}$ is $q$-cartesian and $q$-cocartesian.
Example 5.4.2.2. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be an $\infty $-category and let $q: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be a morphism of simplicial sets. The following conditions are equivalent:
- $(1)$
The morphism $q$ is an interior fibration (in the sense of Definition 5.4.2.1).
- $(2)$
The morphism $q$ is an inner fibration (in the sense of Definition 4.1.1.1).
The implication $(1) \Rightarrow (2)$ follows from the observation that every $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ is thin, and the implication $(2) \Rightarrow (1)$ follows from Corollary 5.1.1.10. In particular, if either of these conditions is satisfied, then $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is an $\infty $-category.
Our goal in this section is to show that, if $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ is an $(\infty ,2)$-category and $q: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ is an interior fibration of simplicial sets, then $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is also an $(\infty ,2)$-category (Proposition 5.4.2.8). To prove this, we must exhibit a sufficiently large collection of thin $2$-simplices of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.
Lemma 5.4.2.6. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be an $(\infty ,2)$-category, let $q: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be an interior fibration of simplicial sets, and let $\sigma $ be a $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. If $q(\sigma )$ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$, then $\sigma $ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.
Proof.
Suppose we are given a morphism of simplicial sets $\tau _0: \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, where $n \geq 3$, $0 < i < n$, and $\tau _0$ carries $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ i-1 < i < i+1 \} )$ to the $2$-simplex $\sigma $. We wish to show that $\tau _0$ can be extended to an $n$-simplex $\tau $ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Let $\overline{\tau }_0: \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be the composition $q \circ \tau _0$. Since $q(\sigma )$ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$, we can extend $\overline{\tau }_0$ to an $n$-simplex $\overline{\tau }: \Delta ^{n} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$. To complete the proof, it suffices to find a solution to the lifting problem
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \ar [r]^-{ \tau _0} \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\ar [d]^-{q} \\ \Delta ^{n} \ar@ {-->}[ur]^{\tau } \ar [r]^-{\overline{\tau }} & \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}, } \]
which exists by virtue of our assumption that $q$ is an interior fibration.
$\square$
Proposition 5.4.2.8. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be an $(\infty ,2)$-category and let $q: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be an interior fibration of simplicial sets. Then $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is also an $(\infty ,2)$-category.
Proof.
We must verify that the simplicial set $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ satisfies each of the axioms of Definition 5.4.1.1:
- $(1)$
Let $f: X \rightarrow Y$ and $g: Y \rightarrow Z$ be edges of the simplicial set $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$; we wish to show that there exists a thin $2$-simplex $\Delta ^2 \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ satisfying $d^{2}_2(\sigma ) = f$ and $d^{2}_0(\sigma ) = g$, as indicated in the diagram
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ & Y \ar [dr]_{g} & \\ X \ar [ur]^{f} \ar [rr] & & Z. } \]
We first invoke our assumption that $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ is an $(\infty ,2)$-category to choose a thin $2$-simplex $\overline{\sigma }$ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ satisfying $d^{2}_2( \overline{\sigma } ) = q(f)$ and $d^{2}_0( \overline{\sigma } ) = q(g)$. Since $\overline{\sigma }$ is thin, our assumption that $q$ is an interior fibration guarantees that the lifting problem
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{2}_{1} \ar [r]^-{ (g, \bullet , f) } \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\ar [d]^-{q} \\ \Delta ^{2} \ar [r]^-{ \overline{\sigma } } \ar@ {-->}[ur]^{\sigma } & \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}} \]
admits a solution. It follows from Lemma 5.4.2.6 that $\sigma $ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.
- $(2)$
Let $\sigma $ be a degenerate $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Then $q(\sigma )$ is a degenerate $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$. Since $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ is an $(\infty ,2)$-category $q(\sigma )$ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$. Applying Lemma 5.4.2.6, we conclude that $\sigma $ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.
- $(3)$
Let $n \geq 3$ and let $\tau _0: \Lambda ^{n}_{0} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a morphism of simplicial sets with the property that the $2$-simplex $\tau _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0< 1 < n\} ) }$ is left-degenerate; we wish to show that $\tau _0$ can be extended to an $n$-simplex $\tau $ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Let $\overline{\tau }_0: \Lambda ^{n}_{0} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ denote the composition $q \circ \tau _0$. Since $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ is an $(\infty ,2)$-category, we can extend $\overline{\tau }_0$ to an $n$-simplex $\overline{\tau }: \Delta ^{n} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$. To complete the proof, it will suffice to show that the lifting problem
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{n}_{0} \ar [r]^-{\tau _0} \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\ar [d]^-{q} \\ \Delta ^{n} \ar [r]^-{ \overline{\tau } } \ar@ {-->}[ur]^{\tau } & \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}} \]
admits a solution. We conclude by observing that the edge $\tau _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0< 1\} ) }$ is degenerate and is therefore $q$-cocartesian by virtue of our assumption that $q$ is an interior fibration.
- $(4)$
Let $n \geq 3$ and let $\tau _0: \Lambda ^{n}_{n} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a morphism of simplicial sets with the property that the $2$-simplex $\tau _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0< n-1 < n\} ) }$ is right-degenerate; we wish to show that $\tau _0$ can be extended to an $n$-simplex $\tau $ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. This follows by the argument given above, applied to the opposite interior fibration $q^{\operatorname{op}}: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\operatorname{op}} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}^{\operatorname{op}}$.
$\square$
Proposition 5.4.2.9. Let $F: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ and $G: \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ be interior fibrations of $(\infty ,2)$-categories. Then the composition $(G \circ F): \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ is also an interior fibration.
Proof.
Suppose we are given an integer $n \geq 2$ and a lifting problem
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \ar [r]^-{\sigma _0} \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\ar [d]^-{G \circ F} \\ \Delta ^{n} \ar [r]^-{ \overline{\sigma } } \ar@ {-->}[ur]^{\sigma } & \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}. } \]
We wish to show that this lifting problem admits a solution if one of the following conditions is satisfied:
- $(a)$
The integer $i$ is equal to $0$ and $\sigma _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0 < 1 \} )}$ is a degenerate edge of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.
- $(b)$
The integer $i$ satisfies $0 < i < n$ and the restriction $\overline{\sigma }|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ i-1 < i < i+1 \} ) }$ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$.
- $(c)$
The integer $i$ is equal to $n$ and $\sigma _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ n-1 < n \} )}$ is a degenerate edge of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.
Since $G$ is an interior fibration, any of these hypotheses guarantee the existence of a solution to the associated lifting problem
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \ar [r]^-{F \circ \sigma _0} \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}\ar [d]^-{G} \\ \Delta ^{n} \ar [r]^-{ \overline{\sigma } } \ar@ {-->}[ur]^{\tau } & \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}. } \]
It will therefore suffice to construct a solution to the lifting problem
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \ar [r]^-{\sigma _0} \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\ar [d]^-{F} \\ \Delta ^{n} \ar [r]^-{\tau } \ar@ {-->}[ur]^{\sigma } & \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}. } \]
In cases $(a)$ and $(c)$, our assumption that $F$ is an interior fibration immediately guarantees the existence of $\sigma $. In case $(b)$, it suffices to verify that the restriction $\tau |_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ i-1 < i < i+1 \} )}$ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$, which follows from Lemma 5.4.2.6.
$\square$
Proposition 5.4.2.10. Let $F: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be an interior fibration between $(\infty ,2)$-categories, and let $X$ and $Y$ be objects of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Then:
- $(1)$
The induced map of left-pinched morphism spaces $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}^{\mathrm{L}}(X,Y) \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}^{\mathrm{L}}( F(X), F(Y) )$ is a right fibration of simplicial sets.
- $(2)$
The induced map of right-pinched morphism spaces $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}^{\mathrm{R}}(X,Y) \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}^{\mathrm{R}}( F(X), F(Y) )$ is a left fibration of simplicial sets.
Proof.
We will prove $(2)$; assertion $(1)$ follows from a similar argument. We wish to show that, for every pair of integers $0 \leq i < n$, every lifting problem
5.37
\begin{equation} \begin{gathered}\label{equation:interior-fibration-morphism-space} \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \ar [r]^-{\sigma _0} \ar [d] & \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}^{\mathrm{R}}(X,Y) \ar [d] \\ \Delta ^{n} \ar [r]^-{\overline{\sigma }} \ar@ {-->}[ur]^{\sigma } & \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}^{\mathrm{R}}( F(X), F(Y) ) } \end{gathered} \end{equation}
admits a solution. Unwinding the definitions, we can rewrite (5.37) as a lifting problem
\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \Lambda ^{n+1}_{i} \ar [r]^-{\tau _0} \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\ar [d]^-{F} \\ \Delta ^{n+1} \ar [r]^-{\overline{\tau }} \ar@ {-->}[ur]^{\tau } & \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}, } \]
where the restriction $\tau _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0 < 1 < \cdots < n \} )}$ is the constant map taking the value $X$. If $i=0$, then this lifting problem admits a solution because the edge $\tau _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0 < 1 \} ) }$ is degenerate (and therefore $F$-cocartesian, by virtue of our assumption that $F$ is an interior fibration). If $0 < i < n$, the solution exists by virtue of the fact that $F$ is an interior fibration and $\overline{\tau }|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ i-1 < i < i+1 \} ) }$ is a degenerate $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ (and therefore thin).
$\square$