The \(RO (\Pi B)\)-graded \(C_2\)-equivariant ordinary cohomology of \(B_{C_2} U(1)\) (Q6073664)

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in calculations within Bredon's equivariant ordinary homology theories. These theories are naturally graded over \(RO(G)\), the ring of representations of the underlying group \(G\). A significant application of these calculations was demonstrated in the seminal work of \textit{M. A. Hill} et al. [Ann. Math. (2) 184, No. 1, 1--262 (2016; Zbl 1366.55007)]. However, the \(RO(G)\)-graded Bredon theories face a notable limitation: they lack a general Thom isomorphism, resulting in the absence of Euler classes for arbitrary vector bundles. To overcome this challenge, the author of the reviewed paper, along with S. Waner, extended the grading to representations of the equivariant fundamental groupoid of the underlying space in [\textit{S. R. Costenoble} and \textit{S. Waner}, Equivariant ordinary homology and cohomology. Cham: Springer (2016; Zbl 1362.55001)]. This extension enabled them to define Thom isomorphisms. The current paper provides a detailed computation of the Bredon cohomology with this expanded grading for the classifying space of complex \(C_2\)-line bundles, denoted as \(B_{C_2}U(1)\). The computations utilize the Burnside Mackey functor as coefficients. After introducing the necessary concepts, the author describes the equivariant fundamental groupoid of \(B_{C_2}U(1)\) and presents step-by-step computations of the Bredon cohomology with the extended grading, based on several isotropy separation sequences. The resulting cohomology is calculated as an algebra over the cohomology of a point with explicit generators and relations. The author also proves that this cohomology forms a free module over the cohomology of a point. The paper further explores the description of this algebra when using different coefficients, such as the constant Mackey functor \(\mathbb{Z}\). Additionally, the author computes the cohomology of a related space, which carries information about the component structure only. This calculation allows the author to elucidate a divisibility phenomenon in the cohomology of finite projective spaces [\textit{S. R. Costenoble} et al., Adv. Math. 398, Article ID 108245, 69 p. (2022; Zbl 1492.55007)]. Finally, it is demonstrated that, unlike the non-equivariant case, the space \(B_{C_2}U(1)\) does not represent ordinary cohomology.