Stabilization of the Witt group (Q817871)

Let \(A\) be a ring with an anti-involution \(a \mapsto \bar{a}\) and let \(\epsilon\) be a central element, such that \(\epsilon \bar{\epsilon} = 1\). In general the higher Witt groups \(\,_{\epsilon}W_n(A)\) of \(\epsilon\)-hermitian forms lack some formal properties. Following an idea of Thomason, the author stabilizes the higher Witt groups, i.e., passes to the direct limit with respect to cup-products by a Bott element, to obtain a new theory \(\,_{\epsilon}\mathcal{W}_n(A)\), which now satisfies, e.g., homotopy invariance, excision and periodicity. Moreover, for regular Noetherian rings and \(\epsilon = 1\) the groups \(_1\mathcal W_n(A)\) coincide with the higher Witt groups defined by \textit{P. Balmer} [``Witt groups'', in: Handbook of \(K\)-Theory, Vol. 2, Springer, 539--579 (2005; Zbl 1115.19004)].