Equivariant \(K\)-theory of compact connected Lie groups (Q1591571)

Let \(G\) denote a compact, connected Lie group whose fundamental group is torsion free. Let \(K_{G}^{*}(-)\) denote (complex) equivariant topological K-theory. Let \(G\) act on itself by conjugation. Then the authors calulate \(K_{G}^{*}(G)\), showing it to be isomorphic to the algebra of Grothendieck differentials on \(R(G)\), the representation ring of \(G\). The proof uses the Kunneth formula spectral sequence of \textit{L. Hodgkin} [Lect. Notes Math. 496, 1-101 (1975; Zbl 0323.55009)] and its convergence properties, established by \textit{V. P. Snaith} [Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 72, 167-177 (1979; Zbl 0238.18005)] and \textit{J. McLeod} [Lect. Notes Math. 741, 316-333 (1979; Zbl 0426.55006)]. Partial results were previously known: (i) \textit{L. Hodgkin} calulated \(K_{G}^{*}(U(V))\) in 1967 (unpublished) where \(U(V)\) denotes the unitary group of a \(G\)-representation \(V\) and (ii) the \(I(G)\)-adic completion of \(K_{G}(G)\) was calculated by \textit{V. P. Snaith} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 22, 562-584 (1971; Zbl 0212.28001)].