A symmetric ring spectrum representing KO-theory (Q5930184)

Homotopy theorists have long worked in the homotopy category of spectra, i.e. the category where morphisms are homotopy classes of maps between spectra. The notion of \(A_\infty\) and \(E_\infty\) structure was developed to deal with situations when actual maps (and higher coherences between them) are needed. This technical machinery was necessitated by the absence of a symmetric monoidal structure on spectra with honest maps. However, during the last five years several competing models have been found. One of these is the category of symmetric spectra by Smith [\textit{M. Hovey}, \textit{B. Shipley} and \textit{J. Smith}, J. Am. Math. Soc. 13, No. 1, 149-208 (2000; Zbl 0931.55006)]. All these models of the stable category have (Quillen) equivalent homotopy categories. Furthermore, commutative symmetric ring spectra are weakly equivalent to \(E_\infty\)-ring spectra. The author constructs here a symmetric spectrum that represents real \(K\)-theory and admits a commutative ring structure. This thus provides an ad hoc proof that real \(K\)-theory is an \(E_\infty\)-ring spectrum.