On topological and piecewise linear vector fields (Q1218679)

Let \(\operatorname{CAT}\) denote the category \(\operatorname{PL}\) of piecewise linear manifolds and piecewise linear maps or the category \(\operatorname{TOP}\) of topological manifolds and continuous maps. Also, if \(M\) is a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) manifold, let \(\tau(M)\) denote the \(\operatorname{CAT}\) tangent bundle of \(M\). A non-zero \(\operatorname{CAT}\) vector field on \(M\) is a non-zero \(\operatorname{CAT}\) cross-section \(s\colon M\to \tau(M)\). Two \(\operatorname{CAT}\) vector fields \(s_0\) and \(s_1\) are homotopic if there exists a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) map \(S\colon I\times M\to \tau(M)\) such that \(s_t=S(t,\cdot)\) is non-zero \(\operatorname{CAT}\) vector field for all \(t\in l\). In this paper the author investigates properties of \(\operatorname{CAT}\) vector fields analogous to those of \(C^\infty\) vector fields. For instance, it is shown that a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) \(n\)-manifold \(M\) \((n\ne 4,5\) if \(\operatorname{CAT} = \operatorname{TOP})\) has a non-zero \(\operatorname{CAT}\) vector field if and only if \(\tau(M)\) splits off a trivial bundle. More generally, any \(\operatorname{CAT}\) \(R^n\)-bundle over an \(\operatorname{ENR} X\), \(\dim X\le k\), contains a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) disk bundle if \(\operatorname{CAT}= \operatorname{PL}\) and \(k\le n+1\) or if \(k\le n+2\) and \(n\ne 4,5\). Also, it is shown that not every non-zero \(\operatorname{CAT}\) vector field \(s\) on a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) manifold \(M\) is \(\operatorname{CAT}\) integrable in the sense that it is associated with a 1-dimensional \(\operatorname{CAT}\) foliation on \(M\) (as it is in the \(C^\infty\) case). However, it is shown that every such \(s\) is homotopic to a non-zero \(\operatorname{CAT}\) vector field \(s'\) which is integrable. In this paper the Stiefel-Whitney classes for \(\operatorname{CAT}\) \(R^n\)-bundles (and spherical fibrations) are axiomatized, and it is shown that in most instances these axioms uniquely determine the \(\operatorname{CAT}\) Stiefel-Whitney classes. A notion of \(\operatorname{CAT}\) \(k\)-fields is defined, and it is shown that the \(k\)-th \(\operatorname{CAT}\) Stiefel-Whitney class of a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) manifold \(M\) is the primary obstruction to obtaining a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) \((n-k+1)\)-field on \(M\). The author also discusses the existence and uniqueness of \(\operatorname{CAT}\) normal bundles of a locally flat \(\operatorname{CAT}\) submanifold \(M^n\) of a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) manifold \(N^{n+q}\). It is shown that if \(\operatorname{CAT} = \operatorname{PL}\) and \(q\ge n-2\) or if \(q\ge n-j-1\) and \(q\ge 5+j\), \(j =0,1,2\), then \(M\) has a \(\operatorname{CAT}\) normal bundle in \(N\). Also, if \(\operatorname{CAT} = \operatorname{PL}\) and \(q\ge n-1\) or if \(q\ge n-j\), \(j =0,1,2\), then the \(\operatorname{CAT}\) normal bundle of \(M\) in \(N\) is unique up to isotopy. Similar results are obtained for existence and uniqueness of \(\operatorname{CAT}\) normal disk bundles and it is shown these are essentially the best results possible.