The ``fundamental theorem'' for the algebraic \(K\)-theory of spaces. II: The canonical involution (Q5957264)

The fundamental theorem for the algebraic \(K\)-theory of spaces is established in part I [\textit{T. Hüttemann, J. R. Klein, W. Vogell, F. Waldhausen} and \textit{B. Williams}, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 160, No.~1, 21-52 (2001; Zbl 0982.19001)]. It gives a splitting \[ A^{\text{fd}}(X\times S^1) \simeq A^{\text{fd}}(X) \times{\mathcal B}A^{\text{fd}}(X) \times N_-A^{\text{fd}}(X) \times N_+A^{\text{fd}}(X), \] where \(A^{\text{fd}}\) is a version of the algebraic \(K\)-theory of spaces, \(S^1\) is the circle, \({\mathcal B}A^{\text{fd}}(X)\) is a delooping of \(A^{\text{fd}}(X)\), and the \(N_\pm A^{\text{fd}}(X)\) are isomorphic nil terms. The main result in part II describes the effect on the factors of the canonical involution on \(A^{\text{fd}}(X\times S^1)\): it induces the canonical involutions on \(A^{\text{fd}}(X)\) and \({\mathcal B}A^{\text{fd}}(X)\), and it transposes the nil terms. The result is obtained from a new construction for the involution.