Algebraic elliptic cohomology theory and flops. I (Q2332946)

In [Adv. Math. 7, 29--56 (1971; Zbl 0214.50502)], \textit{D. Quillen} introduced the notion of complex oriented cohomology theory in the topological context of smooth manifolds. There exists a universal complex oriented cohomology theory (complex cobordism) corresponding to the Lazard ring -- \({\mathrm{Laz}}[[u,v]]\) and the universal formal group \(F_{\mathrm{Laz}}(u,v) \in {\mathrm{Laz}}[[u,v]]\). The notion of an oriented cohomology theory has been extended by Levine and Morel in their book to the category of smooth quasi-projective schemes \({\mathrm{Sm}}_k\) over a perfect field \(k\). This required dropping the excision property and a Mayer-Vietoris sequence. In the case \(k\) has characteristic zero the universal oriented cohomology theory exists. It is called algebraic cobordism \({\Omega}^{*}(X)\) and its coefficient ring \({\Omega}^{*}(k)\) is isomorphic to the Lazard ring. For arbitrary perfect field the existence of the universal theory is unknown. The authors construct, using motivic homotopy theory, the universal theory with \({\mathbb Q}\)-coefficients. This relies on the algebraic cobordism spectrum \(MGL\) and the theorem of Hopkins and Morel [\textit{M. Hoyois}, J. Reine Angew. Math. 702, 173--226 (2015; Zbl 1382.14006)]. Using these techniques the authors describe an algebraic version of elliptic cohomology. To do this one has to give a formal group corresponding to the theory. This is achieved by means of an elliptic genus. In the complex case there is a particular elliptic genus which has the rigidity property [\textit{I. M. Krichever}, Math. Notes 47, No. 2, 132--142 (1990; Zbl 0702.57006); translation from Mat. Zametki 47, No. 2, 34--45 (1990)]. \textit{B. Totaro} showed in [Ann. Math. (2) 151, No. 2, 757--791 (2000; Zbl 1050.14500)] that the kernel of the elliptic genus is the ideal in \(MU^{*}({\mathbb C})\) generated by the differences of classical flops. The authors prove a generalization of the Totaro's theorem in the context of algebraic cobordism. They show that in the algebraic cobordism the ideal generated by the differences of classical flows is equal to the kernel of Krichever's elliptic genus. The methods they use are different than Totaro's, since Totaro's methgods do not apply over a field of positive characteristic. The question of existence of a motivic oriented cohomology theory representing elliptic cohomology is also addressed.