A Whitehead theorem for periodic homotopy groups (Q2022768)

This paper proves a version of the Whitehead theorem for periodic homotopy groups. The classical Whitehead theorem says that if a map of CW complexes induces an isomorphism on the homotopy groups (for any choice of basepoint), then it is a homotopy equivalence. A similar theorem for Morava \(K\)-theories was proven by Bousfield and Hopkins--Ravenel, showing that if \(f\) is a map between nilpotent spaces such that \(K(n)_*f\) is an isomorphism for each \(n\ge0\) and prime \(p\), then \(f\) is a weak homotopy equivalence. This paper looks at \textit{periodic homotopy groups}. From now on, fix a prime \(p\) and work \(p\)-locally. A pointed finite CW-complex \(V\) is of \textit{type \(n\)} if \(K(i)_*V\cong K(i)_*\) for \(i<n\) and \(K(n)_*V\) is non-trivial. By Hopkin-Smith's periodicity theorem, after suspending \(V\) enough times one can get a self-map \(v:\Sigma^dV\to V\) which induces an isomorphism on the groups \(K(n)_*V\) and acts nilpotently on the \(K(m)\)-homology groups for \(m\neq n\). Then, the \textit{\(v\)-periodic homotopy groups} are \[ v^{-1}\pi_*(X;V):=\mathbb{Z}[v^{\pm1}]\otimes_{\mathbb{Z}[v]}\pi_{*\ge2}\mathrm{Map}_*(V, X)\ , \] where \(v\) has degree \(d\) and the action of \(v\) is given by pullback. A map \(f\) of pointed spaces is a \textit{\(v_n\)-equivalence} if \(v^{-1}\pi_*(f; V)\) is an isomorphism. Importantly, this definition depends solely on \(n\), and not of any of the choices involved. The main result of the paper is the following. Theorem 1.4. Let \(f:X\to Y\) be a \textit{simple} map of pointed nilpotent finite CW-complexes, i.e.\ the homotopy fibre \(F\) of \(f\) is connected, has abelian fundamental group, and \(\pi_1(X)\) acts trivially on the homotopy groups of \(F\). If \(f\) if a \(v_n\)-equivalence for all \(n\ge0\), with \(v_0\)-equivalence meaning it is a rational weak homotopy equivalence, then \(f\) is a \(p\)-local equivalence, i.e.\ a weak-equivalence after \(p\)-localization.