Handle (mathematics)

In mathematics, a handle decomposition of an m-manifold M is a union

where each ${\displaystyle M_{i}}$ is obtained from ${\displaystyle M_{i-1}}$ by the attaching of ${\displaystyle i}$-handles. A handle decomposition is to a manifold what a CW-decomposition is to a topological space—in many regards the purpose of a handle decomposition is to have a language analogous to CW-complexes, but adapted to the world of smooth manifolds. Thus an i-handle is the smooth analogue of an i-cell. Handle decompositions of manifolds arise naturally via Morse theory. The modification of handle structures is closely linked to Cerf theory.

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