Stable homotopy around the Arf-Kervaire invariant (Q2378588)

This book is concerned with homotopy theoretical approaches to the study of the Arf-Kervaire invariant one problem (i.e. the problem of finding framed manifolds of Arf-Kervaire invariant one). (This problem indeed has remained unsolved at least until quite recently.) Various important techniques of stable homotopy theory related to this problem are considered. In addition to classical techniques, a newly invented approach is introduced, which is entitled \(\lq\lq\)upper triangular technology''. Particularly much attention is paid to this new technique which turns out to be useful in relating the Adams operation to the calculation of other operations. This is well reflected for example in the proofs of Theorem 8.4.6, Theorem 8.4.7 and Corollary 8.4.8, which are perhaps the most important examples of applications of this technique. This book, according to the author, has two primary objectives: One is to introduce the new technique already mentioned above and the other is to ``stem the tide'' that threatens to sweep this long-standing unsolved problem into oblivion. In addition it is mentioned that this second objective in particular created a great motivation towards writing this book. This book consists of nine chapters. The subject matter of this book is covered in the first eight chapters. The last chapter is an extra one in which some current themes related to the subject are described. Chapter 1 contains several equivalent formulations of the Arf-Kervaire invariant one problem, a number of which are reshaped in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 introduces the upper triangular technology. Chapter 4 is included in order to amplify certain comments of Chapter 3. Chapter 5 determines the conjugacy class of the map \(1\wedge\psi^3 : bu\wedge bo \to bu\wedge bo\) in the upper triangular group in the sense of Chapter 3. Chapter 6 contains various cohomological results related to real projective spaces and maps involving them. Chapter 7 applies \(BP\)-theory and its related \(J\)-theories to analyse the Arf-Kervaire invariant one problem. Chapter 8 gives applications of the upper triangular results of Chapters 3 and 5. Chapter 9 gives a brief discussion on the \(\mathbb{ A}^1\)-stable homotopy category of F. Morel and V. Voevodsky. The bibliography contains 297 titles. Each chapter is preceded with a quotation from the book [The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll, The Nonesuch Press, London (1940)], by \textit{L. Carroll}. The reason for this is explained in detail in the book's preface, together with the author's deep feelings and thoughts about the Arf-Kervaire invariant one problem. This preface is written in a pleasant style and so may be read in its entirety, but the text in this book is fairly dense and hard in content, which is caused by the fact that it contains many remarkable results and they also cover a wide range of subjects in stable homotopy theory. Owing to such a feature, it may be a formidable task to read this book in full for readers not having enough background knowledge. However this feature will be rather acceptable to expert readers as it makes this book an excellent guide to the classical problem above.