No label defined (Q4342137)

Let \(F_{g,1}\) be an oriented surface of genus \(g\) with one boundary component, and let \(\Gamma_{g,1}: =\pi_0 \text{Diff}^+ (F_{g,1}; \partial)\) be the associated mapping class group. \textit{E. Y. Miller} [J. Differ. Geom. 24, 1-14 (1986; Zbl 0618.57005)] showed that the disjoint union \(M= \coprod_{g\geq 0} B\Gamma_{g,1}\) is a homotopy commutative monoid with the product induced by gluing two surfaces \(F_{g,1}\) and \(F_{h,1}\) along their boundary to a pair of pants surface. Indeed, its group completion \(\Omega BM= \mathbb{Z} \times B\Gamma^+_\infty\) is a double loop space [compare Bödigheimer's Göttinger Habilitationsschrift 1990]. The authors exhibit an explicit braided monoidal structure on \(\prod_{g\geq} \Gamma_{g,1}\) seen as a category with one object for every \(g\geq 0\). A similar construction had previously been suggested by Fred Cohen. The authors also show that the Browder operation \[ \widetilde \theta_*: H_0B \Gamma_{1,1} \otimes H_0B \Gamma_{1,1} \to H_1B \Gamma_{2,1} \] is non-zero. (A similar computation was given in Maginnis's Stanford thesis 1987). The existence of a non-zero Browder operation implies that the \(C_2\)-structure of \(M\) cannot be extended to a \(C_3\)-structure. However, this does not imply that the double loop space structure of \(\Omega BM\) cannot be extended to a triple loop space structure as claimed by the authors. Indeed, the reviewer [Invent. Math. 130, No. 2, 257-275 (1997; Zbl 0891.57019)] has exhibited an infinite lopp space structure on \(\Omega BM\). Its first deloop coincides with that of Miller, and it is very likely that so do the second deloops.