Commutative \(\mathbb S\)-algebras of prime characteristics and applications to unoriented bordism (Q488589)

A commutative \(\mathbb S\)-algebra in spectra is an \(E_\infty\)-ring spectrum. Here \(\mathbb S\) is the sphere spectrum. Define \(\mathbb S// p\) to be the push-out, in commutative \(\mathbb S\)-algebras, of the diagram \[ \mathbb S \mathop{\longleftarrow}^{ev(0)} P(\mathbb S) \mathop{\longrightarrow}^{ev(p)} \mathbb S. \] Here \(\mathbb P(-)\) the free commutative \(S\)-algebra functor. This is an \(\mathbb S\)-algebra analog of the ring \(\mathbb Z/(p)\). The papers begins with some structural results. First, by a theorem of Steinberger from \textit{R. R. Bruner} et al. [\(H_{\infty}\) ring spectra and their applications. Lecture Notes in Mathematics. 1176. Berlin etc.: Springer-Verlag. VII (1986; Zbl 0585.55016)] \(\mathbb S// p\) must have the underlying homotopy type of a wedge of mod \(p\) Eilenberg-MacLane spectra. Second, let \(E\) be a commutative \(\mathbb S\)-algebra of characteristic \(p\); that is, the ring \(\pi_0E\) is a \(\mathbb Z/p\)-algebra. Then the space of commutative \(S\)-algebra maps from \(\mathbb S// p\) to \(E\) is equivalent to \(\Omega^{\infty+1}E\). Thus, this space is non-empty, but may have many components. Third, if \(E\) is of characteristic \(p\), then there is an equivalence of \(E\)-algebras \[ E \wedge \mathbb S// p \simeq E \wedge \mathbb P(S^1). \] This means, in particular, it's possible to calculate the mod \(p\) homology and some of the homotopy of \(\mathbb S// p\). Later sections give some calculations. As a sample, Section 5 gives the calculations of the topological Hochschild homology and the topological André-Quillen homology of \(\mathbb S// p\) as an \(\mathbb S\)-algebra. For example, \[ THH(\mathbb S// p) \simeq \mathbb S// p \wedge \Omega^\infty\Sigma^\infty (S^2)_+. \] Some calculations with Thom spectra are also presented.