Note on phantom phenomena and groups of self-homotopy equivalences (Q1179513)

The author obtains an isomorphism \({\mathcal E}^*(K({\mathbb{Z}},2)\times S^ 3)\cong{\mathbb{R}}\times({\mathbb{Z}}_ 2\times{\mathbb{Z}}_ 2),\) where the semi- direct product action of \({\mathbb{Z}}_ 2\times{\mathbb{Z}}_ 2\) on \(\mathbb{R}\) is given by \(\xi*w=w^{-1}=\eta*w\), for \(w\in WI(K({\mathbb{Z}},2)\times S^ 3)= {\mathbb{R}}\). The proof proceeds by considering the representation \({\mathcal E}^* (X)\rightarrow {\mathcal E}^*(X)/WI(X)\), where \({\mathcal E}^*(X)\) is the group of pointed homotopy self-equivalences of \(X\) and \(WI(X)\) is its normal ``phantom -like'' subgroup consisting of weak identities (considered by the author in an earlier paper). The author goes on to discuss ``residual'' properties, including residual finiteness, for \({\mathcal E}^*(X)\) and for the kernel of \({\mathcal E}^*(X)\rightarrow\text{aut} H_ *(X)\). A number of results and open questions are noted.