A free \(\mathbb{Z}_p\)-action and the Seiberg-Witten invariants (Q2785259)

Let \(X\) be a closed oriented \(4\)-manifold with \(b_{2}^{+}\geq 2\). Let \(p\) be a prime number and suppose that \({\mathbb Z}_{p}={\mathbb Z}/p{\mathbb Z}\) acts freely on \(X\). If \(p=2\) suppose moreover that the action is by an orientation preserving diffeomorphism. NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThis paper studies the relationship between the Seiberg-Witten invariants of \(X\) and those of the quotient manifold \(X/{\mathbb Z}_{p}\). The main theorem establishes that the invariants of \(X\) and of \(X/{\mathbb Z}_{p}\) are congruent modulo \(p\). NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe case of double covers, \(p=2\), was previously treated in [\textit{Y. Ruan} and \textit{S. Wang}, Commun. Anal. Geom. 8, No. 3, 477-515 (2000; Zbl 0976.57022)].