Intersection cohomology ($I{H}_{\bar{p}}^i(X)$)

In the Deligne-sheaf convention, $I{H}_{\bar{p}}^i(X)={\mathbb{H}}^i(X,I{C}_{\bar{p}})$, with $I{C}_{\bar{p}}$ normalized in degree zero on the regular stratum. For a compact oriented $N$-dimensional pseudomanifold over a field, $I{H}_{\bar{p}}^i(X)\cong I{H}_{N-i}^{\bar{p}}(X)$ and it is dual to $I{H}_i^{\bar{q}}(X)$, where $\bar{p}(k)+\bar{q}(k)=k-2$. Thus the dual of lower-middle singular chains uses the upper-middle Deligne sheaf. The two middle conventions agree on Witt spaces.

Let a compact oriented $(2m+1)$-manifold $M$ have collared boundary $B$, and cap $B$ by its closed cone. In the lower-middle Deligne convention the result has $I{H}^i=H^i(M)$ for $i<m$, $I{H}^m=\mathrm{im}(H^m(M,B)\to H^m(M))$, and $I{H}^i=H^i(M,B)$ for $i>m$. Excision identifies the relative intersection groups with $H^{\ast }(M,B)$; the cone neighbourhood has $H^i(B)$ only for $i<m$, so its long exact sequence gives the formula. The cap is Witt exactly when $H^m(B;\mathbb{Q})=0$.

The degree-zero normalized Deligne intersection complex extends the constant sheaf from the regular stratum by successive derived direct images and cohomological truncations at degree $\bar{p}(k)$ when codimension-$k$ strata are added. Its hypercohomology defines intersection cohomology. On a cone with vertex of codimension $k$, its local cohomology is the link intersection cohomology in degrees at most $\bar{p}(k)$ and zero above.

For an isolated singular point of an $N$-dimensional oriented pseudomanifold, the unshifted middle intersection complex restricts to $\mathbb{Q}$ on the regular stratum and has no negative cohomology. Its support condition is $H^j(i_x^{\ast }I{C}_{\bar{p}})=0$ for $j>\bar{p}(N)$; its cosupport condition is $H^j(i_x^{!}I{C}_{\bar{p}})=0$ for $j\le \bar{p}(N)+1$. These conditions, together with constructibility and normalization, characterize it. On a Witt space they are exchanged by $IC\cong D(IC)[-N]$.