Degree of certain equivariant maps into a representation sphere (Q1336601)

This paper deals with equivariant analogues of Hopf's theorem classifying maps into spheres. Given a compact Lie group \(W\) acting on the closed manifold \(M\) containing free \(W\)-orbits and, as a representation, on the vector space \(V\). Let \(\dim M = \dim V + \dim W\). The \(W\)-homotopy classes of maps from \(M\) into the 1-point compactification \(S^V\) which are constant on the subspace of all non-free \(W\)-orbits of \(M\) are shown to be classified by their equivariant mapping degrees in either \(\mathbb{Z}\) or \(\mathbb{Z}/2\). Which of these cases occurs, depends on rather subtle considerations concerning orientation behaviour. In case \(M = S^{V \oplus R^n}\), the equivariant homotopy set above is identified with the stable homotopy group \(\omega^W_n (EW^+)\); groups of this type occur as direct summands of the equivariant stable stem \(\omega^G_n\).