Comparing invariants of \(\mathbf{SK}_1\) (Q1956361)

Let \(k\) be a field, \(A\) a central simple \(k\)-algebra \(A\). Suslin conjectured that if the reduced Whitehead groups \(SK_1(A\otimes_kK)\) vanish for all field extensions \(K/k\), then \(A\) must have squarefree index. Several cohomological invariants of \(A\) have been introduced to study this problem. The author takes as starting point an invariant due to Kahn and compares it with invariants introduced by Suslin (two candidates), by Rost, and by the author. Recall that Platonov has given examples of central simple algebras \(A\) with nontrivial \(SK_1(A)\). The author shows that Kahn's invariant is nontrivial on these examples. Finally he gives a formula for the value of the Kahn invariant on the center of the tensor product of two symbol algebras. This generalizes the a formula of Merkurjev for the biquaternions.