Detection of some elements in the stable homotopy groups of spheres (Q5919840)

The author establishes the nontriviality of several families of elements in the stable homotopy groups of spheres localized at an odd prime \(p\). These include the \(\beta^r_1\beta_s\) and \(\beta_1^{r-1}\beta_2\beta_{kp-1}\) for \(p\geq 5\), \(r\leq p-1\), \(s\leq p^2-p-1\), \(k\leq p-1\) and \(s\not\equiv 0\bmod p\); the \(\beta^r_1\gamma_t\) and \(\beta^{r-1}_1\beta_2\gamma_t\) for \(p\geq 7\), \(1\leq t\leq p-1\) and \(r\leq p-1\); the \(\alpha_1\beta^r_1\gamma_t\) for \(p\geq 7\), \(2\leq t\leq p-1\) and \(r\leq p-2\); as well as the \(\beta^{p-1}_1\zeta_k\) for \(p\geq 5\) and \(k\geq 1\). The method of proof is based upon the Adams-Novikov spectral sequence. Concrete calculations in the cobar construction establish the nontriviality of these elements in the \(E_2\)-term of this spectral sequence. Since these elements are products of infinite cycles and there is no possibility that they are the images of differentials, they determine nontrivial elements in stable homotopy. In the second part of the paper, the author uses the approach of \textit{D. Ravenel} [Complex cobordism and stable homotopy groups of spheres, Pure Appl. Math., Academic Press 121 (1986; Zbl 0608.55001), Section 7.5] to show that for \(p\geq 7\) the order of nilpotence of \(\beta_1\) is at least \(5p-1\). In [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc., to appear] the author and \textit{D. Ravenel} show that the order of nilpotence of \(\beta_1\) is either \(p^2-p\) or \(p^2-p+1\). Unfortunately the second half of the References is omitted from the published paper.