The cohomology of the universal Steenrod algebra (Q2575667)

The mod 2 universal Steenrod algebra \(Q\) was introduced by \textit{J. P. May} [Steenrod Algebra Appl., Lect. Notes Math. 168, 153--231 (1970; Zbl 0242.55023)] and is isomorphic to the algebra of cohomology operations in the category of \(H_{\infty}\)-ring spectra. It has generators \(y_i\) for \(i\in {\mathbb Z}\), subject to relations similar in form to the classical Adem relations. The main result in this paper is that the cohomology of \(Q\) is diagonal, i.e., \(\text{Ext}_{Q}^{s,t}({\mathbb F}_2,{\mathbb F}_2) = 0\) if \(s \neq t\). Consequently, by a result of \textit{L. Lomonaco} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 121, 315--323 (1997; Zbl 0891.55023)], the cohomology of \(Q\) is the completion of \(Q\) with respect to a certain chain of two-sided ideals.