The \(L\)-homology fundamental class for IP-spaces and the stratified Novikov conjecture (Q1725991)

An intersection homology Poincaré space (IP-space) is a piecewise linear pseudomanifold such that the middle dimensional, lower middle perversity integral intersection homology of even-dimensional links vanishes and the lower middle dimensional, lower middle perversity intersection homology of odd-dimensional links is torsion free. This class of spaces was introduced by \textit{M. Goresky} and \textit{P. Siegel} [Comment. Math. Helv. 58, 96--110 (1983; Zbl 0529.55008)] as that, for which the middle perversity global intersection homology groups satisfy Poincaré duality integrally. \par The main result of the paper shows that the symmetric signature induces a map of Quinn spectra from IP bordism to the symmetric $L$-spectrum of integers, which is, up to weak equivalence, an $E_\infty$ ring map. Using this map, the authors construct a fundamental $L$-homology class for IP-spaces, and, as a consequence, prove the stratified Novikov conjecture for IP-spaces whose fundamental group satisfies the Novikov conjecture.