Self-coincidence of maps from \(S^q\)-bundles over \(S^n\) to \(S^n\) (Q2493405)

Let \(E\) be the total space of a sphere bundle over a sphere \(S^n\). The authors study the problem of deforming a pair of maps \((f_1, f_2) : E \to S^n\) to a coincidence free pair, under a small deformation or under an arbitrary deformation. They show that if \(f\) is a fibre map and if \((f, f) : E \to S^n\) can be deformed to a coincidence free pair by a small deformation, then the Euler number of the fibration is 2 and the fibration is fibre homotopy equivalent to the Stiefel fibration \(p_1 : V_{2n+1,2} \to S^{2n}\). Further the coincidence problem for an arbitrary pair \((f_1, f_2)\) is studied in detail when \(E\) is one of the spaces \(S^3, S^7, S^{15}, V_{5,2}, V_{9,2}\). For maps \(f:S^m \to S^n\) and \(m<2n-1\) the authors classify the pairs \((f_1,f_2)\) which can be deformed to a coincidence free pair. They also construct maps \(f_{2n}: S^{4n-1} \to S^{2n}\) for all odd \(n>1\) for which \((f_{2n}, f_{2n})\) can be deformed to a coincidence free pair, but not by a small deformation.