Quadratic form theory over preordered von Neumann-regular rings (Q2482075)

Let \(R\) be a commutative von Neumann-regular ring, i.e. every principal ideal of \(R\) is generated by an idempotent. Suppose that 2 is a unit in \(R\) and \(T\) is a proper preorder of \(R\). In such a situation one can consider a reduced special group \(G_T(R)=R^*/T^*\) (in the meaning of the authors' paper [Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 689 (2000; Zbl 1052.11027)]), which reflects the reduced theory of quadratic forms modulo \(T\), over free modules. The main result of the paper says that \(G_T(R)\) is [SMC], which means that the multiplication by \(l(-1)\) in the Milnor's \(K\)-theory modulo 2 for \(G_T(R)\) is injective. As a consequence the authors conclude that quadratic form theory modulo \(T\) over free \(R\)-modules verifies Marshall's signature conjecture, Lam's conjecture and a reduced version of Milnor's Witt ring conjecture. To achieve the main result the authors use the representation of \(R\) as the ring of global sections of a presheaf of rings over the Boolean space \(\text{Spec}(R)\) whose stalks are fields. The main arguments proved in the first chapters, and used in the next, are: (a) the \(K\)-theory functor on special groups is geometric, (b) in any presheaf of first-order structures the ring of sections embeds in the product of stalk structures.