Some results on vector bundle monomorphisms (Q2464775)

For \(a < n\) let \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) denote vector bundles of dimension \(a\) and \(n\), respectively, over a closed smooth connected \(n\)-dimensional manifold \(M\). The authors consider the problem of how many different nonstable homotopy classes of monomorphisms from \(\alpha\) to \(\beta\) lie in a stable class and also how many different stable monomorphisms which are not homotopic to stabilized nonstable monomorphisms. To study this problem the authors use the singularity method of Koschorke introduced in [\textit{U. Koschorke}, Vector fields and other vector bundle morphisms - a singularity approach. Lecture Notes in Mathematics. 847. (Berlin-Heidelberg-New York): Springer-Verlag. (1981; Zbl 0459.57016)]. Let \(P(\alpha)\) be the projectification of \(\alpha\) and let \(\Phi_1=\lambda\otimes p^*(\beta-\alpha)-p^*\tau_M\) where \(p : P(\alpha) \to M\) denotes the quotient projection and \(\lambda\) the canonical line bundle over \(P(\alpha)\). Also let \(\Phi=\lambda\otimes p_1^*(\beta-\alpha)-p_1^*\tau_M\) where \(p_1 : M\times P^\infty \to M\) denotes the projection and \(\lambda\) the pullback by the projection \(p_2 : M\times P^\infty \to P^\infty\) of the canonical line bundle over \(P^\infty\). \textit{U. Koschorke} [op. cit.] proved that there is a bijection between the set of homotopy classes of monomorphisms and the normal bordism groups \(\Omega_a(P(\alpha); \Phi_1)\) in the non stable case and \(\Omega_a(M\times P^\infty; \Phi)\) in the stable case, respectively, for \(n > 2a+1\). Furthermore the stabilizing homomorphism is given \[ \text{st}_{a} : \Omega_{a}(P(\alpha); \Phi_{1}) \to \Omega_{a}(M\times P^{\infty}; \Phi), \] and so one finds that the cardinalities of \(\text{ker} \;\text{st}_{a}\) and \(\text{coker} \;\text{st}_{a}\) measure, respectively, the number of different homotopy classes of nonstable monomorphisms, which stabilize to the same homotopy class of stable monomorphisms, and the number (the percentage) of stable monomorphisms which are not homotopic to (stabilized) nonstable monomorphisms. In this paper the authors study \(\text{ker} \;\text{st}_{a}\) and \(\text{coker} \;\text{st}_{a}\) in the cases \(a=1, n > 3\) and \(a=2, n > 5\) and even. The main results are stated in the following theorems. Theorem 1.1. Let \(a=1, n > 3\) odd and suppose there is a monomorphism \(\alpha\hookrightarrow \beta\). Then \(\text{coker} \;\text{st}_{1}\simeq \mathbb{Z}_2\) and \(\text{ker} \;\text{st}_{1}\simeq 0\) or \(\mathbb{Z}_2\). (This is in fact followed by several sufficient conditions for determining this isomorphism. For example: \(\text{ker} \;\text{st}_{1}=0\) if \(w_2(\Phi_1)=0\) and \(n\equiv 1 (4)\) and \(w_1(\alpha)=w_1(\beta)\), and \(\text{ker} \;\text{st}_{1}\simeq \mathbb{Z}_2\) if \(w_1(\Phi_1)=0\) and \(n\equiv 3 (4)\) and \(w_1(M)\neq 0\).) Theorem 1.2. Let \(a=1, n > 3\) be even and suppose there is a monomorphism \(\alpha\hookrightarrow \beta\). Then \(\text{coker} \;\text{st}_1=0\) if \(w_1(\beta)=w_1(M)\) and \(\text{coker} \;\text{st}_{1}\simeq \mathbb{Z}_2\) if \(w_1(\beta)\neq w_{1}(M)\). (The statement about \(\text{ker} \;\text{st}_{1}\) is omitted because it is too intricate to be described here.) Theorem 1.3 treats the last remaning case where \(a=2, n>5\) even. This has the following corollary. Corollary 1.4. Suppose \(\alpha\) is the trivial bundle, \(\beta\) is the tangent bundle of \(M\) and \(w_1(M)\neq 0\), then \(\text{st}_2\) is surjective and \(\text{ker} \;\text{st}_{2}\simeq H_{1}(M; \mathbb{Z})\oplus \mathbb{Z}_2\). Moreover four examples are given which will lead to a better understanding of these theorems. Finally it is remarked that this work complements some results of \textit{U. Koschorke} [Lect. Notes Math. 1350, 188--212 (1988; Zbl 0663.57017); Topology Appl. 75, No.~3, 261--286 (1997; Zbl 0870.55011)], [\textit{A. K. M. Libardi} and \textit{I. C. Rossini}, Proceedings of the XI Brazilian topology meeting, Rio Claro, Brazil, August 3--7, 1998. Singapore: World Scientific. 80--84 (2000; Zbl 0998.57050)] and [\textit{A. K. M. Libardi, V. M. do Nascimento} and \textit{I. C. Rossini} [Rev. Mat. Estat. 21, No.~3, 107--114 (2003)].