On phantom maps into co-H-spaces (Q518821)

A phantom map from a \(CW\)-complex \(X\) is a map \(f: X \to Y\) such that the restriction \(f|X_n\) to the \(n\)-skeleton \(X_n\) of \(X\) is null homotopic for any \(n\). \textit{K. Iriye} [J. Math. Kyoto Univ. 43, No. 3, 661--669 (2003; Zbl 1067.55010)] showed that if \(Y\) is a nilpotent suspension space of finite type with \(H_i(Y;\mathbb Q)\neq 0\) for some \(i>1\), then \(Y\) is the target of essential phantom maps from finite-type domains. In the paper under review, the author extends this result to the case that \(Y\) is a nilpotent, finite-type co-H-space. To show the theorem, the author uses the connections between homotopy decompositions of looped co-H-spaces and coalgebra decompositions of tensor algebras due to Grbić, Theriault and Wu. In fact, the author shows the following fact: Let \(Y\) be a space of finite type over \(\mathbb Z\) or \(\mathbb Z{(p)}\) for some prime \(p\), and \(\Omega Y \simeq A\times \Omega B\). If \(B\) is the target of essential phantom maps from finite type domains, then so is \(Y\). The author also shows that for a simply connected space \(Y\) of finite type over \(\mathbb Z\) or \(\mathbb Z{(p)}\), if \(Y\simeq A \vee B\), where \(A\) and \(B\) are rationally nontrivial, then \(Y\) is the target of essential phantom maps from finite type domains.