Torsion in equivariant cohomology (Q911110)

Let G be a finite group and \(F_*\) be a complete (Tate) \({\mathbb{Z}}G\)- projective resolution of the trivial G-module \({\mathbb{Z}}\). For any G-CW- complex X its equivariant Tate cohomology \(\hat H^*_ G(X)\) is defined as the cohomology groups of the cochain complex \(Hom_ G(F_*,C^*(X))\), where \(C^*(X)\) is the cellular chain complex of X [cf. \textit{R. Swan}, Comment. Math. Helv. 34, 1-16 (1960; Zbl 0144.226)]. In dimensions greater than dim(X) it coincides with the Borel equivariant cohomology. The author relates the exponent of the equivariant Tate cohomology of a finite dimensional G-CW-complex X to p-ranks (for all primes \(p| | G|)\) of the isotropy subgroups on X. A sample of this result is the following theorem, which holds for actions of elementary abelian groups G. In this case exp \(\hat H^*_ G(X)=\max \{| G_ x|:\) \(G_ x\) is an isotropy subgroup\(\}\). An interesting application of a similar result is a construction of elements of maximal order in the integral cohomology of the extra-special p-group. The proof of the main theorem depends heavily on \textit{J. Carlson}'s work on varieties of modules [Invent. Math. 95, No.1, 13-24 (1989; Zbl 0668.20041)]. A connection between equivariant cohomology and varieties considered in modular representation theory has been noticed earlier by the reviewer [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 33, 49-58 (1984; Zbl 0546.55008)] and \textit{A. Assadi} [Lect. Notes Math. 1217, 26-57 (1986; Zbl 0609.57021)].