Multidimensional periodic knots (Q1183653)

The notion of cyclically periodic knots in \(S^ 3\) is generalized for higher dimensional knots \(S^{n-2}\hookrightarrow S^ n\): a cyclic action \(\rho\) (DIFF, PL or TOP) of order \(s\) on \(S^ n\) maps the embedded sphere \(S^{n-2}\) --- which is supposed to be disjoint from the fixed point manifold of the action --- onto itself. Using Smith theory the following theorem is proved for a semifree action \(\rho\): (a) For \(s\neq 2,\rho\) admits a periodic knot if and only if \(\text{Fix} (\rho)\approx S^ 1\), and if so, then \(n\) is odd. (b) For \(s=2\), if \(\rho\) admits a periodic knot, then \(\text{Fix} (\rho)=S^ 0\) or \(S^ 1\). (c) For \(s=2\), if \(\text{Fix} (\rho)\approx S^ 1\), then \(\rho\) admits a periodic knot. For odd periods \(s\) the linking number \(\ell\) between the fixed point set \(S^ 1\) and the invariant knot and \(s\) are proved to be coprime. In the PL and TOP cases the linking number determines the restricted (to \(S^{n-2}\)) action up to normal cobordism for \(n\geq 7\). Furthermore isovariant cobordism classes of periodic knots in \(S^{2k+1}\) with \(S^ 1\) for the fixed point set and \(\ell=\pm 1\) are investigated. The results are too involved to be stated in a few lines --- notions and definitions from a paper of \textit{S. Cappell} and \textit{J. Shaneson} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 99, 277-348 (1974; Zbl 0279.57011)] are used without further explanations.