Homotopy pullback of \(A_n\)-spaces and its applications to \(A_n\)-types of gauge groups (Q2344842)

The author first shows that the homotopy pullback of \(A_n\)-maps between \(A_n\)-spaces admits an \(A_n\)-form. As an application, the author revises the result by Zabrodsky that for any prime \(p\), there is a finite \(CW\) complex \(X\) which admits an \(A_{p-1}\)-form but no \(A_p\)-form. Next the author investigates \(A_n\)-types of gauge groups. Let \(G\) be a compact Lie group of the rational type \((2n_1-1,\dots,2n_l-1)\). Fix a map \(\epsilon: S^{r-1} \to G\) with \(r\geq 2n_l\), and denote the principal \(G\)-bundle over \(S^r\) with classifying map \(k\epsilon\) \((k\in \mathbb Z)\) by \(P_k\). Take an integer \(N\) such that the adjoint group bundle \(\text{ad} P_N\) is \(A_n\)-trivial. Then, the author shows that the gauge groups \(G(P_k)\) and \(G(P_{k'})\) are \(A_n\)-equivalent if the greatest common divisors of \((N, k)\) and \((N, k')\) are the same. Moreover, by using the above result the author gives a sufficient condition such that the gauge groups of two given principal \(SU(2)\)-bundles over \(S^4\) are \(A_n\)-equivalent. This condition is also necessary if some additional condition is satisfied.