The strong Kervaire invariant problem in dimension 62 (Q309032)

The strong Kervaire invariant problem for \(n\) asks whether or not there exists \(\theta_n\in \pi_{2^{n+1}-2}S^0\) such that \(2\theta_n=0\). In their celebrated paper [Ann. Math. (2) 184, No. 1, 1--262 (2016; Zbl 1366.55007)], \textit{M. A. Hill} et al. showed nonexistence of \(\theta_n\) for \(n>6\). The existence of \(\theta_5\) has been shown by \textit{M. G. Barratt} et al. [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 30, 533--550 (1984; Zbl 0606.55010)]. Before the paper under review, the existence of \(\theta_5\) with \(2\theta_5=0\) was claimed by W-H. Lin and S.~O.~Kochman independently. Unfortunately, their computation of the Toda bracket \(\langle \theta_4,2,\sigma^2\rangle\) had errors. In this paper, the author shows the affirmative answer for the strong Kervaire invariant problem for \(n=5\) by using the same Toda bracket, which was given by D. C. Isaksen. Indeed, he obtains the result by verifying two theorems: \(\langle \theta_4,2,\sigma^2+\kappa\rangle\) contains 0 with indeterminacy \(\{0,\rho_{15}\theta_4\}\), and \(\theta_4=\langle 2,\sigma^2+\kappa,2\sigma,\sigma\rangle\) with zero indeterminacy. These imply \(\theta_4^2=0\). The result now follows from a theorem of \textit{M. G. Barratt} et al. [Contemp. Math. 19, 9--22 (1983; Zbl 0528.55010)]: If there exists \(\theta_n\) with \(2\theta_n=0\) and \(\theta_n^2=0\), then there exists \(\theta_{n+1}\) with \(2\theta_{n+1}=0\).