Algebraic \(K\)-theory and configuration spaces (Q1813431)

The authors define the notion of a permutative monoid \(M\) as follows: (1) \(M\) is a disjoint union of spaces \(M(n)\) indexed by the non-negative integers, (2) \(M\) is an associative monoid with identity, (3) there are injections of \(M(n-1)\) into \(M(n)\), and (4) there are actions of the symmetric group \(S(n)\) on \(M(n)\) which satisfy natural compatibility conditions for the multiplication in (2) and injections in (3). The authors consider the construction obtained by (i) ``freeing up'' the action of the symmetric group on the \(n\)-th space of a permutative monoid, and (ii) completing in the appropriate sense. They show that there is a certain fibration of infinite loop spaces associated to these completions: the fibre is the completion of the permutative monoid \(M\) with the action of the symmetric group ``freed-up'', the total space is the completion of \(M\), and the base is the integers. They use these models to give ``Volodin type'' configuration space models for the loop- space of the plus construction for \(BGL(R)\) and \(A(X)\) where \(A(X)\) gives Waldhausen's algebraic \(K\)-theory of spaces. These results are used to prove a splitting theorem for the loop space of \(A(\Sigma X)\) when \(X\) is a connected space. [The reviewer believes that ``connected space'' here means a path-connected, compactly generated, weak Hausdorff space.] The authors promise to use these models in a further paper to verify Waldhausen's result that the ``mystery'' homology theory vanishes.