Lifting problem of \(\eta\) and Mahowald's element \(\eta _ j\) (Q908543)

Let \(HP^ n_{n-k+1}=HP^ n/HP^{n-k}\), \(Q^ n_{n-k+1}=Q^ n/Q^{n-k}\) denote the truncated projective space, quasiprojective space, respectively. The author proves that \(\eta\) : \(S^{4n+1}\to S^{4n}\) lifts to \(HP^ n_{n-k+1}\) if and only if \(k\in \{1,2\}\) or \(k\in \{3,4\}\) with \(n\equiv 2\) modulo 4. He also proves that when n is a power of two, \(\eta\) : \(S^{4n}\to S^{4n-1}\) lifts to \(Q^ n_{n- k+1}\) for all \(k\leq n\). When \(n=2^ ia\), a odd and \(a>1\), then a lift \({\tilde \eta}\) of \(\eta\) leads to a specific representation of the Mahowald element [\textit{M. Mahowald}, Lect. Notes Math. 763, 23-37 (1979; Zbl 0436.55014)] \(\eta_{5,i+2}: S^{4n}\to S^{4(n-2^ i)}\). It follows that the \(\eta_{5,i+2}\), \(i\geq 1\), are in the image of the \(S^ 3\)-transfer homomorphism t: \(\pi^ S_*Q^{\infty}\to \pi^ S_*\). The author establishes when \({\tilde \eta}\) exists for \(k\leq 6\).