Descent in algebraic \(K\)-theory and a conjecture of Ausoni-Rognes (Q2178250)

Summary: Let \(A \to B\) be a \(G\)-Galois extension of rings, or more generally of \(\mathbb{E}_\infty \)-ring spectra in the sense of \textit{J. Rognes} [in: Proceedings of the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM 2014), Seoul, Korea, August 13--21, 2014. Vol. II: Invited lectures. Seoul: KM Kyung Moon Sa. 1259--1283 (2014; Zbl 1373.19002)]. A basic question in algebraic \(K\)-theory asks how close the map \(K(A) \to K(B)^{hG}\) is to being an equivalence, i.e., how close algebraic \(K\)-theory is to satisfying Galois descent. An elementary argument with the transfer shows that this equivalence is true rationally in most cases of interest. Motivated by the classical descent theorem of \textit{R. W. Thomason} [Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér. (4) 18, 437--552 (1985; Zbl 0596.14012)], one also expects such a result after periodic localization. We formulate and prove a general result which enables one to promote rational descent statements as above into descent statements after periodic localization. This reduces the localized descent problem to establishing an elementary condition on \(K_0(-)\otimes \mathbb{Q} \). As applications, we prove various descent results in the periodically localized \(K\)-theory, \(TC, THH\), etc. of structured ring spectra, and verify several cases of a conjecture of \textit{C. Ausoni} and \textit{J. Rognes} [Geom. Topol. 16, No. 4, 2037--2065 (2012; Zbl 1260.19004)].