The mod 2 equivariant cohomology algebras of configuration spaces (Q5905388)

The cohomology algebra of the stable (infinite) symmetric group has been known as a Hopf algebra since Nakaoka's pioneering work [\textit{M. Nakaoka}, Ann. Math. (2) 73, 229--257 (1961; Zbl 0099.25301)]. A related construction is given by the configuration space of unordered \(k\)-tuples of distinct points in Euclidean space \(\mathbb{R}^ n\), say \(C(n,k)\). If limits are taken as \(n\) goes to infinity, then one obtains a classifying space for the \(k\)-th symmetric group; then taking limits over \(k\), one obtains a classifying space for the stable (infinite) symmetric group. The homology of the configuration space of unordered (and also ordered) \(k\)-tuples of distinct points in \(\mathbb{R}^ n\) has been known additively since 1973 [the reviewer, Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 79, 1236--1241 (1973; Zbl 0281.55004); the reviewer with \textit{T. J. Lada} and \textit{J. P. May}, The homology of iterated loop spaces (Lect. Notes Math. 533) Berlin etc.: Springer-Verlag (1976; Zbl 0334.55009)]. Inductive (and complicated) formulas for the coproduct and the Steenrod operations were also given in the above references. The author of the present paper gives a specific presentation for the mod-2 cohomology algebra of the space \(C(n,k)\) in terms of Dickson invariants; his methods involve direct calculations with Dickson invariants rather than exploiting the known relationship with loop spaces which these configuration spaces enjoy. Some of the author's results overlap with work of \textit{R. Wellington} [The unstable Adams spectral sequence for free iterated loop spaces, Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 258, 225 p. (1982; Zbl 0488.55006)]. Editorial remark: In 2016, Blagojević, Lück and Ziegler found a serious gap in the proof of a theorem in this paper. A corrected version of this proof has been published by the authors together with \textit{F. R. Cohen} and \textit{M. C. Crabb} [``The mod 2 equivariant cohomology algebras of configuration spaces -- revised'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:2004.12350}].