Cohomological approach to asymptotic dimension. (Q833333)

The notion of asymptotic dimension \(\text{asdim\,}X\) of a metric space \(X\) has been introduced by \textit{M. Gromov} [in his book Geometric group theory. Volume 2: Asymptotic invariants of infinite groups. Lond. Math. Soc. Lect. Note Ser. 182. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1993; Zbl 0841.20039)]. Gromov used this notion as an invariant for discrete groups. In the paper under review, the author develops a new cohomological approach to asymptotic dimension. He defines a notion of cohomological asymptotic dimension \(\text{asdim}_\mathbb{Z} X\) of a metric space \(X\) based on a notion of asymptotic cohomology, which uses bounded cohomology. He shows that \(\text{asdim}_\mathbb{Z} X=\text{asdim\,}X\) if \(\text{asdim\,}X<\infty\). He constructs an example of a metric space \(X\) of bounded geometry with finite asymptotic dimension for which \(\text{asdim}(X\times\mathbb{R})=\text{asdim\,}X\). This also gives an example of a space for which the asymptotic dimension that he has introduced [in Russ. Math. Surv. 55, No. 6, 1085-1129 (2000); translation from Usp. Mat. Nauk 55, No. 6, 71-116 (2000; Zbl 1028.54032)], which is defined by means of Roe's coarse cohomology (and which he calls now coarse asymptotic dimension), is strictly less than the newly defined asymptotic dimension. Properties of the new notion of asymptotic dimension which are useful, compared to the properties of the previous notion, are discussed in the paper.