Oriented matroids, complex manifolds, and a combinatorial model for \(BU\). (Q1413096)

D. Biss introduces and studies a concept of ``complex oriented matroids.'' Basic combinatorial properties of the model are developed, leading to a definition/construction of ``weak maps,'' such that the set MacP\(_{\mathbb C}(k,n)\) of all rank \(k\) complex oriented matroids on \(n\) elements, partially ordered by weak maps, yields a finite model for the complex Grassmannian \(G_k({\mathbb C}^n)\). Based on a combinatorial analog of the Schubert decomposition, Biss shows that MacP\(_{\mathbb C}(k,n)\), as well as its subposet of realizable complex oriented matroids, are homotopy-equivalent to \(G_k({\mathbb C}^n)\). This important result serves as a basis for the development of a complex version of \textit{R. D. MacPherson}'s theory of combinatorial differentiable (CD) manifolds [Combinatorial differential manifolds, in: Proc. ``Topological methods in modern mathematics: a symposium in honor of John Milnor's sixtieth birthday'' (Stony Brook NY, 1991), Publish or Perish,Houston, 203--221) (1993; Zbl 0812.57019)]. It complements \textit{D. Biss}' earlier analogous result for ``ordinary'' oriented matroids and the real Grassmannians [`The homotopy type of the matroid Grassmannian', Ann. Math. 158, 929--952 (2003)]. In both cases the homotopy type of the combinatorial model yields the classifying spaces, characteristic classes etc. for a combinatorial bundle theory. (The concept of ``complex oriented matroids'' of this paper is an alternative to the reviewer's suggestion in [Discrete Comput. Geom. 10, No. 3, 313--348 (1993; Zbl 0782.52005)]: Given any complex vector configuration, both the real parts and the imaginary parts are recorded for any complex linear functional. Thus Biss abstracts the ``\(s^{(2)}\)-stratifications'' of complex hyperplane arrangements developed in [\textit{A. Björner} and the reviewer, J. Am. Math. Soc. 5, 105--149 (1992; Zbl 0754.52003)], while the reviewer's model corresponds to the ``\(s^{(1)}\)-stratifications.'' As discussed in the paper, the reviewer's ``topological representation theorem'' for the \(s^{(1)}\)-model is equally available for Biss' model, which has both technical and aesthetic advantages.)