The multiplicativity of fixed point invariants (Q2444350)

Given a fibration \(p: E\to B\), a fibre-preserving self-map \(f: E \to E\) induces a self-map \(\bar f\) on the base space \(B\). A fixed point \(b\) of \(\bar f\) gives a self-map \(f_b: F_b\to F_b\) on the fibre \(F_b=p^{-1}(b)\). \textit{P. Heath} et al. [Topology Appl. 26, 65--82 (1987; Zbl 0618.55002)] obtained a product formula for the Lefschetz number, namely \(L(f) = L(\bar f) L(f_b)\), if \(\pi_1(B)\) acts trivially on the fibres. The authors of the paper under review obtain a generalization and factorization of the above product formula by using the notion of bicategorical trace introduced by themselves. Here, a more delicate invariant, the Reidemeister trace, is in consideration. All invariants are regarded as homomorphisms between abelian groups, and hence a product of invariants will turn out to be a composition of homomorphisms. Since the Reidemeister trace includes the information of Lefschetz number, Nielsen number and fixed point indices, their factorization implies most of the existing product formulas for those invariants. Moreover, the authors simplify and unify the additional conditions imposed on the fibration to guarantee those product formulae.