On the \(u\)-invariant of a real function field (Q2655156)

Let \(u(K)\) denote the \(u\)-invariant of a field \(K.\) The main aim of the paper is to prove that if \(n\geq 2\) and \(u(K(\sqrt{-1}))\leq 2^n,\) then \(u(K)\leq 2^{n+2}-2n-6.\) Application of this result to \(K\) being a field extension of transcendence degree \(n\) of a real closed field \(R\) gives, thanks to Tsen-Lang Theorem, an improvment of the bound \(u(K)\leq 2^{n+2}\) found by \textit{R. Elman} and \textit{T. Y. Lam} [Math. Ann 219, 21--42 (1976; Zbl 0302.10025)]. The method used by the author is a refinement of so called Elman-Lam filtration of the \(u\)-invariant. Except for the increasing sequence of modified \(u^i(K)\) invariants defined by \textit{R. Elman} and \textit{T.-Y. Lam} [Math. Z. 131, 283--304 (1973; Zbl 0244.10020)], he uses also invariants \(w^i(K)=\sup\{\dim(\varphi): \varphi\;\text{is anisotropic},\;2^i\times \varphi\; \text{is hyperbolic and}\; 2^{i-1}\times\varphi\; \text{is not hyperbolic}\;\}.\) Detailed examination of the relationship between \(u^i\) and \(w^i\) gives the main result.