Homological stability for classical groups. (Q375506)

In [\textit{R.~M.~Charney}, Invent. Math. 56, 1-17 (1980; Zbl 0427.18013)] and [\textit{K. Vogtmann}, Commun. Algebra 7, 9-38 (1979; Zbl 0417.20040)] certain simplicial complexes were used to prove homology stability results. Starting point of the present work is the observation that these simplicial complexes are closely related to the theory of buildings, more specifically to the opposition complexes studied by \textit{A. von Heydebreck} [Isr. J. Math. 133, 369-379 (2003; Zbl 1046.55011)]. The author sets up a machinery to study homology stability problems for groups \(G\) with a weak spherical Tits system. From the action on an opposition complex he obtains a spectral sequence comparing the homology of \(G\) with the homology of its Levi subgroups. A relative version of this spectral sequence is also useful. The method is illustrated with improved homology stability theorems for unitary groups over division rings and for special orthogonal groups \(O_{n,n}\) over infinite fields.