Whitehead torsion is a concept from algebraic topology, specifically in the study of topological spaces and their homotopy theory. It is an invariant associated with specific types of topological spaces, particularly those that are infinite-dimensional or non-simply connected. In more technical terms, Whitehead torsion can be defined in the context of the Whitehead product and the Whitehead tower, which are concepts related to the homotopy groups of spaces.
New to topics? Read the docs here!