Families of structures on spherical fibrations (Q5946239)

Let \(SF(n)\) be the usual monoid of orientation- and base point-preserving self equivalences of the \(n\)-sphere \(S^n\). If \(Y\) is a (right) \(SF(n)\)-space, one can construct a classifying space \(B(Y, SF(n), *) = B_n\) for \(S^n\)-fibrations with \(Y\)-structure, by making use of the two-sided bar construction. Let \(k: B_n \rightarrow BSF(n)\) be the forgetful map. A \(Y\)-structure on a spherical fibration corresponds to a lifting of the classifying map into \(B_n\). Let \(K_I = K(Z_2,i)\) be the Eilenberg-MacLane space of type \((Z_2,i).\) In this paper the authors study families of structures on a given spherical fibration. In particular, they construct a universal family of \(Y\)-structures, where \(Y=W_n\) is space homotopy equivalent to \(Pi_{i\geq 1}K_i\). Applying results due to \textit{P. Booth, P. Heath, C. Morgan} and \textit{R. Piccinini} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 49, 111-127 (1984; Zbl 0525.55005)] it is proved that the universal family is a spherical fibration over the space map \(\{B_n, B_n\}\times B_n\). The significance of this space for secondary characteristic classes is discussed. Finally, the cohomology of \(B_n\) is calculated.