On the \(K\)-theory and homotopy theory of the Klein bottle group (Q719063)

A module \(M\) over a ring \(R\) is called stably free of rank one if \(M\oplus R^n\simeq R^{n+1}\) for some \(n\). \textit{J. Lewin} [``Projective modules over group-algebras of torsion-free groups.'' Mich. Math. J. 29, 59--64 (1982; Zbl 0483.16008)] constructed a non-free stably free rank one module over the rational group ring of the fundamental group \(\kappa=\left<x,y\mid xyx^{-1}=y^{-1}\right>\) of the Klein bottle. The authors construct infinitely many pairwise non-isomorphic stably free rank one modules over the integral group ring \(\mathbb Z\kappa\). This ring is pretty special in that it is the skewed Laurent polynomial ring \(R[x^{\pm1},\sigma]\), where \(R=\mathbb Z[y^{\pm1}]\) and the ring automorphism \(\sigma\:R\to R\) sends \(y\) to \(y^{-1}\). Non-free stably free rank one modules over some skewed Laurent polynomial rings were constructed by \textit{J. T. Stafford} [``Stably free, projective right ideals.'' Compos. Math. 54, 63--78 (1985; Zbl 0565.16012)], and the authors show that his construction does apply to \(\mathbb Z\kappa\). To obtain infinitely many such modules they also apply it to the \(\bmod p\) group rings \((\mathbb Z/p)\kappa\) and employ an argument of \textit{V. A. Artamonov} [``Projective non-free modules over group rings of solvable groups.'' Mat. Sb., N. Ser. 116(158), 232--244 (1981; Zbl 0474.16007)] who dealt with stably free modules over group rings of solvable groups. An algebraic \(2\)-complex over a group \(G\) is a partial free resolution of length \(2\) of \(\mathbb Z\) over \(\mathbb ZG\). Note that if \(X\) is a \(2\)-dimensional CW-complex with \(\pi_1(X)=G\), the augmented cellular chain complex \(C_*(\tilde X)\to\mathbb Z\to 0\) of its universal cover is an algebraic \(2\)-complex over \(G\). Whether every algebraic \(2\)-complex over \(G\) can be amended by a chain homotopy equivalence so as to arise in this way is the well known Realization Problem. When \(G\) is a fundamental group of a compact \(3\)-polyhedron with \(2\)-connected universal cover, the Realization Problem for \(G\) is known to be equivalent to Wall's \(D(2)\)-problem: is every compact \(3\)-polyhedron \(X\) with \(\pi_1(X)=G\) and with \(H_3(\tilde X;\mathbb Z)=H^3(X;F)=0\) for every local coefficient system \(F\) homotopy equivalent to a compact \(2\)-polyhedron? [\textit{F. E. A. Johnson}, ``Stable Modules and the \(D(2)\)-Problem.'' London Mathematical Society Lecture Note Series 301. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (2003; Zbl 1055.57002)]. The authors apply their aforementioned result on stably free modules to construct infinitely many chain homotopically distinct algebraic \(2\)-complexes over \(\kappa\) with Euler characteristic \(1\). It follows, as they note, that either the \(D(2)\)-problem has a negative solution, or there exist infinitely many homotopically distinct compact \(2\)-polyhedra with fundamental group \(\kappa\) and Euler characteristic \(1\). They also construct (regardless of the status of the \(D(2)\)-problem) infinitely many homotopically distinct compact \(3\)-polyhedra with \(2\)-connected universal cover, fundamental group \(\kappa\) and Euler characteristic \(-1\). There are some further results in the paper, mostly representing the authors' attempts to avoid the dependence on the \(D(2)\)-problem. In particular, they develop a certain realization technique which they illustrate by revisiting Dunwoody's celebrated example of two homotopically distinct compact \(2\)-polyhedra with the same fundamental group (namely, the fundamental group of the trefoil knot) and the same Euler characteristic.