\(C^\ast\)-algebraic higher signatures and an invariance theorem in codimension two (Q1785091)

Let \(X\) be a connected smooth closed oriented manifold of dimension \(d\), and let \(\pi\) be a discrete group. Associated to each principal \(\pi\)-bundle \(\tilde X\) over \(X\) there is a signature class \(\text{Sgn}_\pi(\tilde X/X)\in K_d(C^*_r(\pi))\) in the topological \(K\)-theory of the reduced group \(C^*\)-algebra of \(\pi\). Let \(h:N\to M\) be a smooth orientation-preserving homotopy equivalence between two smooth closed oriented manifolds of dimension \(d+2\). Let \(X\) be a smooth closed oriented submanifold of \(M\) of codimension 2, and assume that \(h\) is transverse to \(X\), so that the inverse image \(Y=h^{-1}(X)\) is a smooth closed oriented submanifold of \(N\) of codimension 2. Let \(\pi=\pi_1(X)\). The universal cover \(\tilde X\) of \(X\) pulls back along the map \(h\) to give a \(\pi\)-covering space \(\tilde Y\) of \(Y\). It is shown that if (i) \(\pi_1(X)\to\pi_1(M)\) is injective; (ii) \(\pi_2(X)\to\pi_2(M)\) is surjective; (iii) the normal bundle of \(X\) in \(M\) is trivializable, \noindent then \(2(\text{Sgn}_\pi(\tilde X/X)- \text{Sgn}_\pi(\tilde Y/Y))=0\) in \(K_d(C^*_r(\pi))\).