Forgetful homomorphisms in equivariant K-theory (Q1085481)

The authors study the image of the forgetful homomorphism f(G,X): \(K_ G(X)\to K(X)\), where G is a compact connected Lie group, and X is a compact G-space such that \(K^*_ G(X)\) is finitely generated over R(G). They give sufficient conditions for the surjectivitiy of f(G,X) in case G is a torus, and among other results they prove the following theorem: If \(\pi_ 1(G)\) is torsion free and for the maximal torus T of G the homomorphism f(T,X) is surjective, then f(G,X) is surjective. Some examples are given and it is shown that surjectivity of the Atiyah- Hirzebruch homomorphism R(T)\(\to K(G/T)\) implies that \(\pi_ 1(G)\) is torsion free.