No label defined (Q4939364)

Let \(G\) be a compact Lie group acting freely on a space \(P\). Let \(aut_G(P)\) be the space of unbased \(G\)-equivariant homotopy equivalences from \(P\) to \(P\) endowed with the compact-open topology. Two elements \(f, \varphi\in aut_G(P)\) are said to be in the same path component whenever there is a \(G\)-equivariant homotopy between \(f\) and \(g\). The path component \(\mathcal F_G(P)\) of \(aut_G(P)\) forms a group with respect to the composition of maps as a group multiplication. Analogously, let \(\mathcal F(P)\) be the path component of the space \(aut(P)\) of all unbased self-homotopy equivalences from \(P\) to \(P\). Here two maps are in the same path component if there is a homotopy between them. The author considers the natural forgetful homomorphism \[ F:\mathcal F_G(P)\to \mathcal F(P). \] When is the homomorphism \(F\) a monomorphism ? This interesting question constitutes the main axis of the paper under review. The author gives here a sufficient condition under which the homomorphism \(F\) is a monomorphism. Several appropriate examples are considered. For instance, let \(T^n\) be the \(n\)-dimensional torus and \(\pi_1(B)=0\) then \( F:\mathcal F_{T^n}(T^n\times B)\to \mathcal F(T^n\times B)\) is a monomorphism.