On May spectral sequence and the algebraic transfer (Q5920246)

The algebraic transfer was introduced by \textit{W. M. Singer} [Math. Z. 202, No. 4, 493--523 (1989; Zbl 0687.55014)] as a linear map whose dual maps to the cohomology of the Steenrod algebra, \(\text{Ext}_A({\mathbb F}_2,{\mathbb F}_2)\), from the \(GL\)-coinvariants of the subalgebra of elements in the homology of an elementary abelian \(2\)-group that are annihilated by all positive-degree Steenrod powers. Concretely, the restriction of the dual, \(\varphi^*_s\), maps the coinvariants of the primitives of the rank \(s\) elementary abelian group to \(\text{Ext}^{s,s+*}_A({\mathbb F}_2,{\mathbb F}_2)\). It is known that \(\varphi^*_s\) is an isomorphism for \(s \leq 3\), but not surjective for \(s=4\). This paper demonstrates that the image of \(\varphi^*_4\) includes all elements in the \(p_i\) family in the cohomology of the Steenrod algebra. With previous results, this completes our understanding of \(\varphi^*_4\). More interestingly, however, is that the paper uses a representation of \(\varphi_s\) in the May spectral sequence. As well as giving the above result, this also enables the authors to deduce earlier results with much less computation.