Axioms for bundle transfers and traces (Q1127703)

The authors give an axiomatic definition of a transfer map for fiber bundles with fiber a finite dimensional ANR and base a finite dimensional \(CW\)-complex. Their main theorem says that these axioms characterize the transfer maps defined by \textit{J. C. Becker} and \textit{D. H. Gottlieb} [Topology 14, 1-12 (1975; Zbl 0306.55017); Compos. Math. 33, 107-133 (1976; Zbl 0354.55009)]. The characterization extends earlier axiomatic characterizations of the transfer map given for finite coverings resp. smooth fiber bundles with structure group a compact Lie group. The proof of the theorem starts with an axiomatic characterization of the Becker-Gottlieb transfer for smooth fiber bundles whose fibers are smooth compact manifolds. The authors then show how their arguments can be modified to apply to topological fiber bundles with fiber a topological compact manifold. To get the final statement they use a theorem of \textit{D. Burghelea} saying that any ANR fiber bundle as above is fiber homotopy equivalent to a fiber bundle with fiber a topological manifold [ibid. 49, 95-107 (1983; Zbl 0524.55019)]. The given axioms fit well with the axiomatic definition of trace maps in generalized homology resp. cohomology [\textit{A. Dold}, Math. Z. 148, 215-244 (1976; Zbl 0329.55007); \textit{A. Dold} and \textit{D. Puppe}, Geometric Topology, Proc. Int. Conf., Warszawa 1978, 81-102 (1980; Zbl 0473.55008)]. In the last part of the present article the authors then use the axiomatic description of the Becker-Gottlieb transfer to show that any trace map construction for fiber bundles of the above type is actually induced by the Becker-Gottlieb transfer.