On determinant functors and \(K\)-theory (Q2264091)

This article gives a systematic and unified approach to \textit{determinant functors}, giving applications to answer to open questions in this area. A determinant functor on an exact category \(\mathcal{E}\) is a functor on the subcategory of isomorphisms of \(\mathcal{E}\) to a Picard groupoid (that is, a groupoid \(\mathcal{P}\) endowed with a symmetric monoidal structure \(\otimes\) such that \(X\otimes - :\mathcal{P}\to\mathcal{P}\) is an equivalence for any object \(X\) of \(\mathcal{P}\)) endowed with the following extra structure: for any short exact sequence \(X\to Y\to Z\) of \(\mathcal{E}\), a natural isomorphism \(\det(Y)\simeq\det(X)\otimes\det(Z)\), supposed to satisfy suitable coherence properties. Several variations of this notion, depending of other assumptions on the source category, are also studied in this article. The main result of the paper (Theorem 1.5.4) gives the construction of universal determinants of various kinds by using the notion of \textit{stable quadratic module} (see \textit{H. J. Baues} [Combinatorial homotopy and 4-dimensional complexes. De Gruyter Expositions in Mathematics, 2. Berlin etc.: Walter de Gruyter (1991; Zbl 0716.55001)]). Connections with low-dimensional \(K\)-theory are investigated. This allows the authors to disprove in a quick way two conjectures of \textit{G. Maltsiniotis} (given at the end of [Categories triangulees superieures, Preprint, \url{http://www.math.jussieu.fr/~maltsin} (2006)]). The article uses various methods: triangulated categories, homotopical algebra, simplicial objects, quadratic algebra, low-degree algebraic \(K\)-theory, monoidal categories\dots. It is probably going to become a reference on the subject, but it is difficult for the non-expert reader.