Derived algebraic geometry over En̳-rings

Abstract

We develop a theory of less commutative algebraic geometry where the role of commutative rings is assumed by En-rings, that is, rings with multiplication parametrized by configuration spaces of points in Rn. As n increases, these theories converge to the derived algebraic geometry of Tobn-Vezzosi and Lurie. The class of spaces obtained by gluing En-rings form a geometric counterpart to En-categories, which are higher topological variants of braided monoidal categories. These spaces further provide a geometric language for the deformation theory of general E, structures. A version of the cotangent complex governs such deformation theories, and we relate its values to E&-Hochschild cohomology. In the affine case, this establishes a claim made by Kontsevich. Other applications include a geometric description of higher Drinfeld centers of SE-categories, explored in work with Ben-Zvi and Nadler.