A class of left ideals of the Steenrod algebra (Q863695)

Consider the left ideals \(L(k)\) of the mod \(2\) Steenrod algebra \({\mathcal A}_2\) generated by \(Sq^1, Sq^2, \dots, Sq^{2^k}\). The authors define a function \(f\) such that \(Sq^n\) belongs to \(L(k)\) if and only if \(k \geq f(n)\). As a consequence, the \(k\)-fold loop of the degree \(2\) map on a sphere \(S^{2n+1}\) and the \(H\)-space squaring map on \(\Omega^k S^{2n+1}\) cannot be homotopic if \(k < 2n+3 - 2^{f(2n+2)}\). This relies on the methods developed in [\textit{F. R. Cohen} and \textit{I. Johnson}, Ádem, A. et al. (eds.), Recent developments in algebraic topology. A conference to celebrate Sam Gitler's 70th birthday, San Miguel de Allende, México, December 3--6, 2003. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society (AMS). Contemporary Mathematics 407, 83--99 (2006; Zbl 1104.55005)] and improves the bounds computed there.