Mod \(p\) decompositions of non-simply connected Lie groups (Q952172)

Let \(p\) be a prime. A finite \(H\)-space \(X\) is said to be of type \((n_1,\dots,n_l)\) if the rationalization of \(X\) has the same homotopy type as the one of \(\prod_{i=1}^lS^{2n_i-1}\). Then the main theorem of the paper under review is as follows: Let \(G\) be a compact, connected semi-simple Lie group of type \((n_1,\dots,n_l)\) such that the integral homology of the universal covering of \(G\) has no \(p\)-torsion. Then the localization \(G_{(p)}\) of \(G\) at \(p\) decomposes as \[ G_{(p)} \simeq \prod_{i=1}^{p-1} X_i. \] Here, \(X_i\) is an \(H\)-space of type \((n_j\mid n_j\equiv i (p-1))\). Moreover, \(X_i\) for \(i \neq 1\) is simply connected, and each \(X_i\) is indecomposable if \(G\) is simple. This result generalizes a result by Wilkerson, which is on the case that \(G\) itself has no \(p\)-torsion in the integral homology. As an application, \(H\)-spaces with interesting fundamental groups are constructed. In particular, it is shown that there is a connected, homotopy associative \(H\)-space of the same type as the exceptional Lie group \(E_6\) such that the fundamental group is \(\mathbb Z/15\). This result answers the remaining problem of the classification of the groups appearing as the fundamental groups of connected, homotopy associative \(H\)-spaces of the same type as the exceptional Lie groups studied by \textit{A. Ohsita} [J. Math. Kyoto Univ. 36, No.~4, 653--658 (1996; Zbl 0906.55004)].