On the Gray index of phantom maps (Q1765333)

A phantom map from a CW complex \(X\) to a space \(Y\) is a map such that the restrictions to the skeleta \(X_n\) are all null-homotopic. A phantom map \(f\) has finite Gray index if there exists \(n\) such that every extension of \(f\) over the cone on \(X_{n+1}\) is a phantom map. For \(X\) and \(Y\) of finite type, it has been conjectured that every essential phantom map from \(X\) to \(Y\) has finite Gray index. The author proves this conjecture when \(X\) and \(Y\) are connected and nilpotent and there is a rational equivalence from \(Y\) to a bouquet of spheres. The proof uses a description of the set of homotopy classes of phantom maps of infinite Gray index as the derived functor of the inverse limit of a tower of groups.