On the classification of topological 4-manifolds with finite fundamental group (Q1821390)

The quadratic 2-type of a compact oriented 4-manifold M is given by \(\pi _ 1(M)\), \(\pi _ 2(M)\), the first k-invariant and the intersection form on \(\pi _ 2(M)\). It is proved that, if \(\pi _ 1\) is finite, the (polarized) homotopy type is determined by this invariant and two additional invariants (Theorem 1.1). To investigate these invariants in detail one has to specialize the fundamental group. If \(\pi _ 1\) has periodic cohomology of period 4 the homotopy type is determined by the quadratic 2-type alone (Theorem A). For these fundamental groups it is also decided which quadratic 2-types can be realized (Theorem 4.2). For \(\pi _ 1\) cyclic of odd order the algebra is further simplified, and combined with surgery theory one obtains that the homeomorphism type is determined by the intersection form on \(H_ 2(M; {\mathbb{Z}})/Tors\) and the Kirby-Siebenmann obstruction (Theorem B). In particular all Dolgachev surfaces with given odd order fundamental group are homeomorphic. As a consequence of recent results of Donaldson and this homeomorphism classification one obtains that the Godeaux surface has at least two smooth structures and admits a self homeomorphism which is not homotopic to a diffeomorphism answering a question of Donaldson.