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# Characteristic Classes for 𝐺𝑂(2𝑛,𝐶𝐼)

## 1 Introduction

The complex Lie group $`GO(n)`$ is by definition the closed subgroup of $`GL(n)`$ consisting of all matrices $`g`$ such that $`{}_{}{}^{t}gg`$ is a scalar matrix $`\lambda I`$ for some $`\lambda CI^{}`$. (We write simply $`GL(n)`$, $`SO(n)`$, $`O(n)`$, etc. for the complex Lie groups $`GL(n,CI)`$, $`SO(n,CI)`$, $`O(n,CI)`$, etc.)

The group $`GO(1)`$ is just $`CI^{}`$, with classifying space $`BCI^{}=𝐏_{CI}^{\mathrm{}}`$, whose cohomology ring $`H^{}(BCI^{};ZZ/(2))`$ is the polynomial ring $`ZZ/(2)[\lambda ]`$ where $`\lambda H^2(BCI^{};ZZ/(2))`$ is the Euler class. For an odd number $`2n+13`$, the group $`GO(2n+1)`$ is isomorphic to the direct product $`CI^{}\times SO(2n+1)`$. Hence $`BGO(2n+1)`$ is homotopic to the direct product $`BCI^{}\times BSO(2n+1)`$, with cohomology ring the polynomial ring $`ZZ/(2)[\lambda ,w_2,w_3,\mathrm{},w_{2n+1}]`$ where for $`2i2n+1`$, the elements $`w_iH^i(BSO(2n+1);ZZ/(2))`$ are the Stiefel-Whitney classes.

In this paper, we consider the even case $`GO(2n)`$. The main result is an explicit determination, in terms of generators and relations, of the singular cohomology ring $`H^{}(BGO(2n);ZZ/(2))`$. This is the Theorem 4.3.5 below.

An outline of the argument is as follows.

To each action of the group $`CI^{}`$ on any space $`X`$, we functorially associate a certain derivation $`s:H^{}(X)H^{}(X)`$ on the cohomology ring of $`X`$, which is graded of degree $`1`$, with square zero (see Lemma 3.1.2 below). In terms of the action $`\mu :CI^{}\times XX`$ and the projection $`p:CI^{}\times XX`$, it is given by the formula

$$\mu ^{}p^{}=\eta s$$

where $`\eta `$ is the positive generator of $`H^1(CI^{})`$.

When $`X`$, together with its given $`CI^{}`$-action, is the total space of a principal $`CI^{}`$-bundle $`\pi :XY`$ over some base $`Y`$, recall that we have a long exact Gysin sequence

$$\mathrm{}\stackrel{\lambda }{}H^i(Y)\stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}H^i(X)\stackrel{d}{}H^{i1}(Y)\stackrel{\lambda }{}H^{i+1}(Y)\stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}\mathrm{}$$

We show (Lemma 3.2.1) that in this case, the derivation $`s`$ on $`H^{}(X)`$ equals the composite

$$s=\pi ^{}d$$

As $`O(2n)GO(2n)`$ is normal with quotient $`CI^{}`$, $`BO(2n)`$ can be regarded as the total space of a principal $`CI^{}`$-bundle $`BO(2n)BGO(2n)`$. The resulting action of $`CI^{}`$ on $`BO(2n)`$ gives a derivation $`s`$ on the ring $`H^{}(BO(2n))=ZZ/(2)[w_1,\mathrm{},w_{2n}]`$ with $`\mu ^{}p^{}=\eta s`$. The last equality enables us to write the following expression for $`s`$ (see Lemma 4.2.1 below)

$$s=\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}w_{2i1}\frac{}{w_{2i}}$$

Determining the invariant subring $`ker(s)`$ of $`H^{}(BO(2n))`$ thus becomes a purely commutative algebraic problem, which we solve by using the technique of regular sequences and Koszul complex, and express the invariant subring $`B=ker(s)`$ in terms of generators and relations (see Theorem 2.0.1 below).

As explained above, in terms of the Gysin sequence

$$\mathrm{}\stackrel{\lambda }{}H^i\left(BGO\left(2n\right)\right)\stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}H^i\left(BO\left(2n\right)\right)\stackrel{d}{}H^{i1}\left(BGO\left(2n\right)\right)\stackrel{\lambda }{}H^{i+1}\left(BGO\left(2n\right)\right)\stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}\mathrm{}$$

the derivation $`s`$ equals the composite $`\pi ^{}d`$. This fact, together with the explicit knowledge of the kernel and image of $`s`$ (in terms of the ring $`B`$), allows us to ‘solve’ the above long exact Gysin sequence, to obtain the main Theorem 4.3.5, which gives generators and relations for the ring $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$.

Note that $`H^{}(BGL(2n))`$ is the polynomial ring $`ZZ/(2)[\overline{c}_1,\mathrm{},\overline{c}_{2n}]`$ in the variables $`\overline{c}_i`$ which are the images (mod $`2`$) of the Chern classes $`c_iH^{2i}(BGL(2n);ZZ)`$. The natural inclusion $`GO(2n)GL(2n)`$ induces a ring homomorphism $`H^{}(BGL(2n))H^{}(BGO(2n))`$, and we determine the images of the $`\overline{c}_i`$ in $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$ in terms of our generators of $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$ (see Proposition 5.0.1 below).

The paper is arranged as follows. The purely algebraic problem of determining the kernel ring of the derivation $`s`$ is solved in Section 2. In Section 3, we describe the derivation on the cohomology of a space associated to a $`CI^{}`$-action, and connect this with the Gysin sequence for principal $`CI^{}`$-bundles. The above material is applied to determine the cohomology ring of $`BGO(2n)`$ in Section 4. In Section 5, we determine the ring homomorphism $`H^{}(BGL(2n))H^{}(BGO(2n))`$ which is induced by the natural inclusion $`GO(2n)GL(2n)`$. (This section is new in this version, and does not appear in \[H-N\].)

## 2 Derivation on a polynomial algebra

Let $`k`$ denote the field $`ZZ/(2)`$. For any integer $`n1`$, consider the polynomial ring $`C=k[w_1,\mathrm{},w_{2n}]`$ where $`w_1,\mathrm{},w_{2n}`$ are independent variables (the ring $`C`$ will stand for $`H^{}(BO(2n))`$, with $`w_i`$ the Stiefel-Whitney classes, when we apply this to topology).

In what follows, we will treat the odd variables $`w_{2i1}`$ differently from the even variables $`w_{2i}`$, so for the sake of clarity we introduce the notation

$$u_i=w_{2i1}\text{and }v_i=w_{2i}\text{for }1in.$$

On the ring $`C=k[u_1,\mathrm{},u_n,v_1,\mathrm{},v_n]`$, we introduce the derivation

$$s=\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}u_i\frac{}{v_i}:CC$$

Note that $`s`$ is determined by the conditions $`s(u_i)=0`$ and $`s(v_i)=u_i`$ for $`1in`$. As $`2=0`$ in $`k`$, it follows from the above that

$$ss=0$$

We are interested in the subring $`B=ker(s)C`$. Let $`ABC`$ be the subring $`A=k[u_1,\mathrm{},u_n,v_1^2,\mathrm{},v_n^2]`$. For any subset $`T=\{p_1,\mathrm{},p_r\}\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ of cardinality $`r1`$, consider the monomial $`v_T=v_{p_1}\mathrm{}v_{p_r}`$. We put $`v_T=1`$ when $`T`$ is empty. It is clear that $`C`$ is a free $`A`$-module of rank $`2^n`$ over $`A`$, with $`A`$-module basis formed by the $`v_T`$. Hence as the ring $`A`$ is noetherian, the submodule $`BC`$ is also finite over $`A`$. In particular, this proves that $`B`$ is a finite type $`k`$-algebra.

We are now ready to state the main result of this section, which is a description of the ring $`B`$ by finitely many generators and relations.

###### Theorem 2.0.1

(I) (Generators)  Let the derivation $`s:CC`$ be defined by $`s=_{i=1}^nu_i\frac{}{v_i}`$. Consider the subring $`B=ker(s)C`$. We have $`s^2=0`$, and $`B=ker(s)=im(s)+A`$. Consequently, $`B`$ is generated as an $`A`$-module by $`1`$ together with the $`2^nn1`$ other elements $`s(v_T)`$, where $`T`$ ranges over all subsets $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ of cardinality $`2`$, and $`v_T=_{iT}v_i`$.

(II) (Relations)  Let $`A[c_T]`$ be the polynomial ring over $`A`$ in the $`2^nn1`$ algebraically independent variables $`c_T`$, indexed by all subsets $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ of cardinality $`2`$. Let $`N`$ be the ideal in $`A[c_T]`$ generated by

(1) the $`2^nn(n1)/2n1`$ elements of the form

$$\underset{iT}{}u_ic_{T\{i\}}$$

where $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ is a subset of cardinality $`3`$, and

(2) the $`n(n1)/2`$ elements of the form

$$(c_{\{i,j\}})^2+u_i^2v_j^2+u_j^2v_i^2$$

where $`\{i,j\}\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ is a subset of cardinality $`2`$, and

(3) the $`(2^nn1)^2n(n1)/2`$ elements (not necessarily distinct) of the form

$$c_Tc_U+\underset{pT}{}\underset{qTU\{p\}}{}u_pv_q^2c_{(T\{p\})\mathrm{\Delta }U}$$

where $`TU`$ in case both $`T`$ and $`U`$ have cardinality $`2`$, and $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ denotes the symmetric difference of sets $`X\mathrm{\Delta }Y=(XY)(YX)`$.

Then we have an isomorphism of $`A`$-algebras $`A[c_T]/NB`$, mapping $`c_Ts(v_T)`$.

Proof  of (I) (Generators) : As already seen, $`ss=0`$, hence we have $`im(s)ker(s)=B`$. As $`AB`$, we have the inclusion $`A+im(s)B`$. We next prove that in fact $`B=A+im(s)`$. The problem translates into the exactness of a certain Koszul resolution, as follows. An exposition of the elementary commutative algebra used below can be found, for example, in §16 of Matsumura \[M\].

Let $`M`$ be a free $`A`$-module of rank $`n`$, with basis $`e_1,\mathrm{},e_n`$. Consider the $`A`$-linear map $`u:MA:e_iu_i`$. For any subset $`T=\{p_1,\mathrm{},p_r\}\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ of cardinality $`r`$ where $`0rn`$, let $`e_T=e_{p_1}\mathrm{}e_{p_r}^rM`$. These $`e_T`$ form a free $`A`$-module basis of $`^rM`$. Recall that the Koszul complex for $`u`$ is the complex

$$0\stackrel{n}{}M\stackrel{d_n}{}\stackrel{n1}{}M\stackrel{d_{n1}}{}\mathrm{}\stackrel{d_3}{}\stackrel{2}{}M\stackrel{d_2}{}M\stackrel{d_1}{}A0$$

where for $`1rn`$, the differential $`d_r:^rM^{r1}M`$ is defined by putting

$`d_r(e_T)={\displaystyle \underset{jT}{}}u_je_{T\{j\}}`$ (1)
(note that $`T`$ is non-empty as $`r1`$). As $`u_1,\mathrm{},u_n`$ is a regular sequence in $`A`$, the Koszul complex is exact except in degree $`0`$ (in fact the Koszul complex gives rise to a projective resolution of the $`A`$-module $`A/im(d_1)=A/(u_1,\mathrm{},u_n)`$, but we do not need this).

Let $`(M)=_{0rn}^rM`$, which we regard as a free $`A`$-module of rank $`2^n`$ with basis $`e_T`$. (The algebra structure of $`(M)`$ is not relevant to us.) The graded module $`(M)`$ comes with an $`A`$-linear endomorphism $`d`$ of degree $`1`$, where by definition $`d`$ is $`d_r`$ on the graded piece $`^rM`$. Hence we have the equality $`ker(d)=im(d)+A`$ as submodules of $`(M)`$.

Now consider the $`A`$-linear isomorphism $`\psi :(M)C`$ of free $`A`$-modules under which $`e_Tv_T`$. From the expression $`s=_iu_i(/v_i)`$, it follows that

$`s(v_T)={\displaystyle \underset{jT}{}}u_jv_{T\{j\}}`$ (2)
when $`T`$ is non-empty. By comparing (1) and (2) we see that $`\psi :(M)C`$ takes the Koszul differential $`d`$ to the differential $`s`$, hence $`ker(s)=im(s)+A`$.

As $`im(s)`$ is generated by all the elements $`s(v_T)`$ where $`T`$ is non-empty, the $`A`$-module $`B`$ is generated by $`1`$ together with the $`2^n1`$ other elements $`s(v_T)`$, where $`T`$ ranges over all non-empty subsets $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$.

This completes the proof of part (I) (Generators) of the Theorem 2.0.1.

Proof  of Theorem 2.0.1.(II) (Relations) : As $`ss=0`$, the equation (2) gives $`_{iT}u_is(v_{T\{i\}})=0`$. This proves that the relation II.(1) is satisfied by the assignment $`c_Ts(v_T)`$.

In particular, when $`T=\{i,j\}`$ has cardinality $`2`$, we get $`s(v_{\{i,j\}})=u_iv_j+u_jv_i`$, and hence $`s(v_{\{i,j\}})^2=u_i^2v_j^2+u_j^2v_i^2`$. This proves that the relation II.(2) is satisfied by the assignment $`c_Ts(v_T)`$.

Note that if $`X`$ and $`Y`$ are subsets of $`\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$, then we have

$`v_Xv_Y={\displaystyle \underset{iXY}{}}v_i^2v_{X\mathrm{\Delta }Y}`$ (3)
where $`X\mathrm{\Delta }Y`$ denotes the symmetric difference $`(XY)(YX)`$.

From the equations (2) and (3) it follows by a straight-forward calculation that

$$s(v_T)s(v_U)=\underset{pT}{}\underset{qTU\{p\}}{}u_pv_q^2s(v_{(T\{p\})\mathrm{\Delta }U})$$

where $`TU`$ in case both $`T`$ and $`U`$ have cardinality $`2`$. This proves that the relation II.(3) is also satisfied by the assignment $`c_Ts(v_T)`$.

Hence the $`A`$-algebra homomorphism $`A[c_T]B`$ defined by sending $`c_Ts(v_T)`$ kills the ideal $`N`$, hence defines an $`A`$-algebra homomorphism $`\eta :A[c_T]/NB`$. By part (I) of the theorem, which we have already proved, the $`A`$-algebra $`B`$ is generated by the $`s(v_T)`$, hence $`\eta `$ is surjective.

To prove that $`\eta `$ is injective, we use the following lemma.

###### Lemma 2.0.2

Let $`FC`$ be the $`A`$-submodule generated by all $`v_T`$ where $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ has cardinality $`1`$. Let $`EB`$ be the $`A`$-submodule generated by all $`s(v_T)`$ where $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ has cardinality $`2`$. Then we have $`EF`$, and $`FA=0`$, and $`B=AE`$, as $`A`$-modules.

Proof  Note that for each $`i`$, the $`v_i`$-degree of each non-zero monomial in any element of $`A`$ is even. On the other hand, if $`|T|1`$ (where $`|T|`$ denotes the cardinality of $`T`$), then the monomial $`v_T`$ has $`v_i`$-degree $`1`$ for for all $`iT`$. Hence in any $`A`$-linear combination $`w=_{|T|1}a_Tv_T`$, each monomial has odd $`v_i`$-degree for some $`i`$. It follows that $`AF=0`$.

From the equality $`s(v_T)=_{iT}u_iv_{T\{i\}}`$, it follows that if $`|T|2`$ then $`s(v_T)F`$, so $`EF`$. It follows that $`AE=0`$. By part (I) of Theorem 2.0.1, we already know that $`A+E=B`$, so the lemma follows. $`\mathrm{}`$

We now prove that $`\eta `$ is injective. For this, we define a homomorphism of $`A`$-modules $`\theta :CA[c_T]/N`$ by $`\theta (1)=0`$, $`\theta (v_i)=u_i`$, and $`\theta (v_T)=c_T`$ for $`|T|2`$. With this definition of $`\theta `$, note that the composite $`C\stackrel{\theta }{}A[c_T]/N\stackrel{\eta }{}BC`$ equals $`s:CC`$. Moreover, note that $`\theta (E)=0`$, where $`EC`$ is the $`A`$-submodule in the previous lemma. To see the above, we must show that $`\theta (s(v_T))=0`$ for all $`T`$. For $`|T|3`$, this follows from the relations (1) in part (II) of Theorem 2.0.1, while for $`|T|2`$, it follows from $`\theta (v_i)=u_i`$ and $`\theta (1)=0`$.

Now suppose $`xA[c_T]/N`$ with $`\eta (x)=0`$. From the generators (3) of $`N`$, it follows that any element of $`xA[c_T]/N`$ can be written in the form

$$x=a_0+\underset{|T|2}{}a_Tc_T\text{where }a_0,a_TA$$

Hence by definition of $`\eta `$, we have $`\eta (x)=a_0+_{|T|2}a_Ts(v_T)`$. As $`\eta (x)=0`$, and as $`AE=0`$ by the above lemma, we have

$$a_0=\underset{|T|2}{}a_Ts(v_T)=0$$

Hence we get

$$x=\underset{|T|2}{}a_Tc_T=\theta (x^{})\text{where }x^{}=\underset{|T|2}{}a_Tv_T$$

As $`s(x^{})=_{|T|2}a_Ts(v_T)=0`$, we have $`x^{}B`$. In the notation of the above lemma, $`x^{}`$ is in $`F`$, and as $`BF=E`$, we see that $`x^{}E`$. As $`\theta (E)=0`$, it finally follows that $`x=\theta (x^{})=0`$.

This proves $`\eta `$ is injective, and completes the proof of the Theorem 2.0.1. $`\mathrm{}`$

## 3 $`CI^{}`$-actions, derivations, and Gysin boundary

### 3.1 The derivation associated to a $`CI^{}`$-action

Given an action $`\mu :CI^{}\times XX`$ of the group $`CI^{}`$ on a space $`X`$, consider the pullback $`\mu ^{}:H^{}(X)H^{}(CI^{}\times X)`$, where the cohomology is with arbitrary coefficients. By Künneth formula, for each $`n`$ we get a homomorphism $`\mu ^{}:H^n(X)H^0(CI^{})H^n(X)H^1(CI^{})H^{n1}(Y)`$. As we have a section $`XCI^{}\times X:x(1,x)`$, it follows that for any $`\alpha `$ in $`H^n(X)`$, we have $`\mu ^{}(\alpha )=1\alpha +\eta \alpha ^{}`$ where $`\eta `$ is the positive generator of $`H^1(CI^{})`$, and the element $`\alpha ^{}H^{n1}`$ is uniquely determined by $`\alpha `$. On the other hand, under the projection $`p:CI^{}\times XX`$ we have $`p^{}(\alpha )=1\alpha `$.

We now define a linear operator $`s:H^n(X)H^{n1}(X)`$ on $`H^{}(X)`$ by the equality $`\mu ^{}(\alpha )=1\alpha +\eta s(\alpha )`$.

#### Example 3.1.1

Let $`X=CI^{}`$, and consider the action $`m:CI^{}\times CI^{}CI^{}:(x,y)xy`$. Then we have the basic equality

$$m^{}(\eta )=1\eta +\eta 1$$

It follows that the corresponding operator $`s`$ on $`H^{}(CI^{})=k[\eta ]/(\eta ^2)`$ is given by $`s(1)=0`$ and $`s(\eta )=1`$.

###### Lemma 3.1.2

Given an action $`\mu :CI^{}\times XX`$ of the group $`CI^{}`$ on a space $`X`$, the map $`s:H^{}(X)H^{}(X)`$ on the singular cohomology ring of $`X`$ with arbitrary coefficients, defined by the equality

$$\mu ^{}p^{}=\eta s$$

where $`p:CI^{}\times XX`$ is the projection and $`\eta `$ is the positive generator of $`H^1(CI^{})`$, is a graded anti-derivation of degree $`(1)`$ on the ring $`H^{}(X)`$, that is, for all $`\alpha H^i(X)`$ and $`\beta H^j(X)`$, we have

$$s(\alpha \beta )=s(\alpha )\beta +(1)^i\alpha s(\beta )H^{i+j1}(X)$$

Moreover, the composite $`ss=0`$.

Proof  The verification of the derivation property is straight from the definition. We now prove the property $`ss=0`$. For this consider the commutative diagram

$$\begin{array}{ccc}CI^{}\times CI^{}\times X& \stackrel{(m,id_X)}{}& CI^{}\times X\\ (id_{CI^{}},\mu )& & \mu \\ CI^{}\times X& \stackrel{\mu }{}& X\end{array}$$

where $`m:CI^{}\times CI^{}CI^{}:(x,y)xy`$. As $`m^{}(\eta )=1\eta +\eta 1`$, it follows from the definition of $`s`$ that for any $`\alpha H^i(X)`$,

$`(m,id_X)^{}\mu ^{}(\alpha )`$ $`=`$ $`11\alpha +1\eta s(\alpha )+\eta 1s(\alpha ),\text{ and}`$
$`(id_{CI^{}},\mu )^{}\mu ^{}(\alpha )`$ $`=`$ $`11\alpha +1\eta s(\alpha )+\eta 1s(\alpha )+\eta \eta s^2(\alpha ).`$
Comparing, we get $`\eta \eta s^2(\alpha )=0`$, which means $`s^2(\alpha )=0`$. $`\mathrm{}`$

### 3.2 Derivation in the case of principal $`CI^{}`$-bundles

We next express the above derivation $`s`$ in the case when $`X`$ is the total space of a principal $`CI^{}`$-bundle $`\pi _X:XY`$ over some base $`Y`$, in terms of the Gysin boundary map $`d_X:H^{}(X)H^{}(Y)`$.

###### Lemma 3.2.1

Let $`\pi _X:XY`$ be a principal $`CI^{}`$-bundle. Then the graded anti-derivation $`s_X`$ on the singular cohomology ring $`H^{}(X)`$ with arbitrary coefficients, which is associated to the given $`CI^{}`$-action on $`X`$ by Lemma 3.1.2, equals the composite

$$s_X=\pi _X^{}d_X$$

where $`d_X:H^{}(X)H^{}(Y)`$ is the Gysin boundary map of degree $`(1)`$ and $`\pi _X:H^{}(Y)H^{}(X)`$ is induced by the projection $`\pi _X:XY`$.

Proof  Let $`\mu _X:CI^{}\times XX`$ be the action, and $`p_X:CI^{}\times XX`$ be the projection. If the bundle $`X`$ is trivial, then the equality $`\mu _X^{}p_X^{}=\eta s_X`$ is obvious from the definitions. So it remains to prove this equality for a non-trivial $`X`$.

For any map $`f:BY`$, let $`\pi _M:MB`$ denote the pullback bundle. The two projections $`\pi _M:MB`$ and $`r:MX`$, and the Gysin boundary map $`d_M`$, satisfy

$$\pi _M^{}f^{}=r^{}\pi _X^{}\text{and }d_Mr^{}=f^{}d_X$$

Here the second equality follows from the fact that the Euler class of $`X`$ pulls back to the Euler class of $`M`$. Hence the following diagram commutes

$$\begin{array}{ccc}H^n(X)& \stackrel{\pi _X^{}d_X}{}& H^{n1}(X)\\ r^{}& & r^{}\\ H^n(M)& \stackrel{\pi _M^{}d_M}{}& H^{n1}(M)\end{array}$$

For the projection $`(id_{CI^{}},r):CI^{}\times MCI^{}\times X`$, we similarly have

$$p_M^{}r^{}=(id_{CI^{}},r)^{}p_X^{}\text{and }\mu _M^{}r^{}=(id_{CI^{}},r)^{}\mu _X^{}$$

Now take $`f:BY`$ to be $`\pi _X:XY`$. Then $`M`$ is trivial and so the lemma holds for $`s_M`$. The projection $`r:MX`$ has a tautological section $`\mathrm{\Delta }:XM`$ which is the diagonal of $`M=X\times _YX`$. (Under the canonical isomorphism $`(\mu _X,p_X):CI^{}\times XX\times _YX`$, the section $`\mathrm{\Delta }:XM`$ becomes the map $`u(1,u)`$.)

Hence given $`\alpha H^i(X)`$ we have

$`\eta \pi _X^{}d_X(\alpha )`$ $`=`$ $`\eta \mathrm{\Delta }^{}r^{}\pi _X^{}d_X(\alpha )\text{as }r\mathrm{\Delta }=id_X.`$
$`=`$ $`\eta \mathrm{\Delta }^{}\pi _M^{}d_Mr^{}(\alpha )\text{as }r^{}\pi _X^{}d_X=\pi _M^{}d_Mr^{}.`$
$`=`$ $`(id_{CI^{}},\mathrm{\Delta })^{}(\eta \pi _M^{}d_Mr^{}\alpha )`$
$`=`$ $`(id_{CI^{}},\mathrm{\Delta })^{}(\mu _M^{}p_M^{})(r^{}\alpha )\text{as }M\text{ is trivial.}`$
$`=`$ $`(id_{CI^{}},\mathrm{\Delta })^{}(id_{CI^{}},r)^{}(\mu _X^{}p_X^{})(\alpha )`$
$`=`$ $`(\mu _X^{}p_X^{})(\alpha )\text{as }(id_{CI^{}},r)(id_{CI^{}},\mathrm{\Delta })=id_{CI^{}\times X}.`$
$`=`$ $`\eta s_X(\alpha )\text{by definition of }s_X.`$
This proves the lemma in the general case. $`\mathrm{}`$

## 4 Cohomology of $`BGO(2n)`$

Note  From now onwards, in the rest of this paper, singular cohomology will be with coefficients $`k=ZZ/(2)`$, unless otherwise indicated.

### 4.1 Principle $`GO(n)`$-bundles and reductions to $`O(n)`$

Principal $`GO(n)`$-bundles and triples $`(E,L,b)`$

Recall that principal $`O(n)`$-bundles $`Q`$ on a space $`X`$ are equivalent to pairs $`(E,q)`$ where $`E`$ is the rank $`n`$ complex bundle on $`X`$ associated to $`Q`$ via the defining representation of $`O(n)`$ on $`CI^n`$, and $`q:EE𝒪_X`$ is the everywhere non-degenerate symmetric bilinear form on $`E`$ with values in the trivial line bundle $`𝒪_X`$ on $`X`$, such that $`q`$ is induced by the standard quadratic form $`x_i^2`$ on $`CI^n`$. The converse direction of the equivalence is obtained via a Gram-Schmidt process, applied locally.

By a similar argument, principal $`GO(n)`$-bundles $`P`$ on $`X`$ are equivalent to triples $`(E,L,b)`$ where $`E`$ is the vector bundle associated to $`P`$ via the defining representation of $`GO(n)`$ on $`CI^n`$, and $`b:EEL`$ is the everywhere nondegenerate symmetric bilinear form on $`E`$ induced by the standard form $`x_i^2`$ on $`CI^n`$, which now takes values in the line bundle $`L`$ on $`X`$, associated to $`P`$ by the homomorphism $`\sigma :GO(n)CI^{}`$ defined by the equality $`{}_{}{}^{t}gg=\sigma (g)I`$.

#### Example 4.1.1

Let $`L`$ be any line bundle on $`X`$. On the rank $`2`$ vector bundle $`F=L𝒪_X`$, we define a nondegenerate symmetric bilinear form $`b`$ with values in $`L`$ by putting $`b:(x_1,x_2)(y_1,y_2)x_1y_2+y_1x_2`$. Now for any $`n1`$, let the triple $`(F^n,L,b)`$ be the orthogonal direct sum of $`n`$ copies of $`(F,L,b)`$. This shows that given any space $`X`$ and any even integer $`2n2`$, there exists some nondegenerate symmetric bilinear triple $`(E,L,b)`$ on $`X`$ of rank $`2n`$, where $`L`$ is a given line bundle.

Reductions to $`O(n)`$

Given a principle $`GO(n)`$-bundle $`P`$ on $`X`$, let $`(E,L,b)`$ be the corresponding triple, and let $`L_o=LX`$ (complement of zero section). As the sequence

$$1O(n)GO(n)\stackrel{\sigma }{}CI^{}1$$

is exact, $`L_oX`$ is the associated $`GO(n)/O(n)`$-bundle to $`P`$, and so reductions of structure group of $`P`$ from $`GO(n)`$ to $`O(n)`$ are the same as global sections (trivializations) of $`L`$. This can be described in purely linear terms, by saying that given an isomorphism $`v:L\stackrel{}{}𝒪_X`$, we get a pair $`(E,vb:EE𝒪_X)`$ from the triple $`(E,L,b)`$.

Let $`u:L\stackrel{}{}𝒪_X`$ and $`v:L\stackrel{}{}𝒪_X`$ be two such reductions. Then the two $`O(n)`$-bundles $`(E,ub)`$ and $`(E,vb)`$ are not necessarily isomorphic. In particular, the two sets of Stiefel-Whitney classes $`w_i(E,ub)`$ and $`w_i(E,vb)`$ need not coincide, but are related as follows.

Given any rank $`n`$ vector bundle $`E`$ together with an $`𝒪_X`$-valued nondegenerate bilinear form $`q:EE𝒪_X`$, consider the new bilinear form $`yq:EE𝒪_X`$ where $`y:XCI^{}`$ is a nowhere vanishing function. Let $`(y)H^1(X,ZZ/(2))`$ be the pull-back of the generator $`\eta H^1(CI^{},ZZ/(2))`$ (in other words, $`(y)`$ is the Kummer class of $`y`$). Note that $`(y)^2=0`$.

A simple calculation using the splitting principle shows the following.

###### Lemma 4.1.2

If $`w_i(E,q)`$ are the Stiefel-Whitney classes of the $`O(n)`$-bundle $`(E,q)`$, then the Stiefel-Whitney classes of the $`O(n)`$-bundle $`(E,yq)`$ are given by the formula

$$w_i(E,yq)=w_i(E,q)+(ni+1)(y)w_{i1}(E,q)$$

#### Remark 4.1.3

It can be seen that the homomorphism $`GO(2n)\{\pm 1\}:g\sigma (g)^n/det(g)`$ is surjective, with connected kernel $`GSO(2n)`$. This implies that $`\pi _0(GO(2n))=ZZ/(2)`$, and hence $`\pi _1(BGO(2n))=ZZ/(2)`$.

### 4.2 The natural derivation on the ring $`H^{}(BO(n))`$

Let $`G`$ be a Lie group and $`H`$ a closed subgroup. If $`PBG`$ is the universal bundle on the classifying space $`BG`$ of $`G`$, then the quotient $`P/H`$ can be taken to be $`BH`$, so that $`BHBG`$ is the bundle associated to $`P`$ by the action of $`G`$ on $`G/H`$. In particular, taking $`G=GO(n)`$ and $`H=O(n)`$, we see that $`BO(n)BGO(n)`$ is the fibration $`L_oBGO(n)`$, where $`L_o`$ is the complement of the zero section of the line bundle $`L`$ on $`BGO(n)`$ occuring in the universal triple $`(E,L,b)`$ on $`BGO(n)`$.

We denote by $`\pi :BO(n)BGO(n)`$ the projection and we denote by $`\lambda H^2(BGO(n))`$ the Euler class of $`L`$. This gives us the long exact Gysin sequence

$$\mathrm{}\stackrel{\lambda }{}H^r\left(BGO\left(n\right)\right)\stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}H^r\left(BO\left(n\right)\right)\stackrel{d}{}H^{r1}\left(BGO\left(n\right)\right)\stackrel{\lambda }{}H^{r+1}\left(BGO\left(n\right)\right)\stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}\mathrm{}$$

By Lemma 3.2.1, the composite maps $`s=\pi ^{}d:H^r(BO(n))H^{r1}(BO(n))`$ define a derivation $`s`$ on the graded ring $`H^{}(BO(n))`$. We now identify this derivation.

Recall that the singular cohomology ring $`H^{}(BO(n))`$ with $`k=ZZ/(2)`$ coefficients is the polynomial ring $`H^{}(BO(n))=k[w_1,\mathrm{},w_n]`$ in the Stiefel-Whitney classes $`w_i`$. We use the convention that $`w_0=1`$.

###### Proposition 4.2.1

Let $`s:H^{}(BO(n))H^{}(BO(n))`$ be the composite $`s=\pi ^{}d`$ as above. Then $`s`$ is a derivation of degree $`(1)`$ on the graded ring $`H^{}(BO(n))`$, with $`ss=0`$. In terms of the universal Stiefel-Whitney classes $`w_i`$, we have $`H^{}(BO(n))=k[w_1,\mathrm{},w_n]`$, and the derivation $`s`$ is given in terms of these generators by

$$s=\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{}}(ni+1)w_{i1}\frac{}{w_i}:w_i(ni+1)w_{i1}$$

In particular, for $`n=2m`$ even, let $`u_i=w_{2i1}`$ and $`v_i=w_{2i}`$, where $`1im`$ be the generators of the polynomial ring $`H^{}(BO(2m))`$. Then the derivation $`s`$ on the polynomial ring $`k[u_1,\mathrm{}u_m,v_1,\mathrm{},v_m]`$ is given by $`s=u_i\frac{}{v_i}`$, with kernel ring explicitly given in terms of generators and relations by the Theorem 2.0.1.

Proof  Let $`(E,L,b)`$ denote the universal triple on $`BGO(n)`$ and $`\pi :L_oBGO(n)`$ the projection, where $`L_o`$ is the complement of the zero section of $`L`$. The pullback $`\pi ^{}(L)`$ has a tautological trivialization $`\tau :\pi ^{}(L)\stackrel{}{}𝒪_{L_o}`$, which gives the universal pair $`(\pi ^{}E,\tau \pi ^{}q)`$ on $`L_o=BO(n)`$. Let $`f=\pi p:CI^{}\times L_oBGO(2n)`$ be the composite of the projection $`p:CI^{}\times L_oL_o`$ with $`\pi :L_oBGO(n)`$.

Under the projection $`p:CI^{}\times L_oL_o`$, the pair $`(\pi ^{}E,\tau \pi ^{}b)`$ pulls back to the pair $`(f^{}E,p^{}(\tau \pi ^{}q))`$ on $`CI^{}\times L_o`$. Under the scalar multiplication $`\mu :CI^{}\times L_oL_o`$, the pair $`(\pi ^{}E,\tau \pi ^{}q)`$ pulls back to the pair $`(f^{}E,yp^{}(\tau \pi ^{}b))`$ on $`CI^{}\times L_o`$, where $`y:CI^{}\times L_oCI^{}`$ is the projection. By Lemma 4.1.2, we have

$$w_i[\mu ^{}(\pi ^{}E,\tau \pi ^{}b)]=w_i[p^{}(\pi ^{}E,\tau \pi ^{}b)]+(ni+1)(y)w_{i1}[p^{}(\pi ^{}E,\tau \pi ^{}b)]$$

in the cohomology ring $`H^{}(CI^{}\times L_o)`$.

Note that the Stiefel-Whitney classes $`w_i(\pi ^{}E,\tau \pi ^{}b)`$ are simply the universal classes $`w_i`$. The class $`(y)`$ becomes $`\eta 1`$ under the Künneth isomorphism. Hence the above formula reads

$$\mu ^{}w_i=p^{}w_i+(ni+1)\eta w_{i1}$$

Hence the proposition follows by lemmas 3.1.2 and 3.2.1. $`\mathrm{}`$

### 4.3 Generators and relations for the ring $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$

The elements $`\lambda `$, $`a_{2i1}`$, $`b_{4i}`$ and $`d_T`$ of $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$

Let $`(E,L,b)`$ be the universal triple on $`BGO(2n)`$. Recall that we denote by $`\lambda H^2(BGO(2n))`$ the Euler class of $`L`$. By Example 4.1 applied to $`X=𝐏_{CI}^{\mathrm{}}`$ with $`L=𝒪_X(1)`$ the universal line bundle on $`X`$, together with the universal property of $`BGO(2n)`$, it follows that $`\lambda ^n0\text{for all }n1`$. For each $`1jn`$, we define elements

$$a_{2j1}=dw_{2j}H^{2j1}(BGO(2n)).$$

Note that we therefore have

$$\pi ^{}(a_{2j1})=s(w_{2j})=w_{2j1}H^{2j1}(BO(2n)).$$

More generally, for any subset $`T=\{i_1,\mathrm{},i_r\}\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ of cardinality $`r2`$, let $`v_T=w_{2i_1}\mathrm{}w_{2i_r}H^{2\mathrm{deg}(T)}(BO(2n))`$ where $`\mathrm{deg}(T)=i_1+\mathrm{}+i_r`$. We put

$$d_T=d(v_T)H^{2\mathrm{deg}(T)1}(BGO(2n)).$$

Next, let $`E`$ be the rank $`2n`$ complex vector bundle on $`BGO(2n)`$ which occurs in the universal triple $`(E,L,b)`$ on $`BGO(2n)`$. For $`1jn`$, let $`b_{4j}H^{4j}(BGO(2n))`$ be the element

$$b_{4j}=\overline{c}_{2j}(E)H^{4j}(BGO(2n))$$

which is the image of the $`2j`$ th Chern class $`c_{2j}(E)H^{2j}(BGO(2n);ZZ)`$ of $`E`$ under the change of coefficients from $`ZZ`$ to $`ZZ/(2)`$. For any $`m1`$, consider the composite map

$$H^{}(BGL(m);ZZ)H^{}(BGL(m);ZZ/(2))H^{}(BO(m);ZZ/(2))$$

where the first map is induced by the change of coefficients $`ZZZZ/(2)`$ and the second map is induced by the natural inclusion $`O(m)GL(m)`$. The ring $`H^{}(BGL(m);ZZ)`$ is the polynomial ring $`ZZ[c_1,\mathrm{},c_m]`$ where $`c_iH^{2i}(BGL(m);ZZ)`$ is the $`i`$ th universal Chern class. The image of $`c_i`$ in $`H^{}(BO(m);ZZ/(2))`$ is known to be $`w_i^2`$, for all $`1im`$. Hence the elements $`b_{4j}H^{4j}(BGO(2n))`$ satisfy the property that

$$\pi ^{}(b_{4j})=w_{2j}^2\text{for each }1jn.$$

In the ring $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$, we have $`\lambda a_{2i1}=0`$ for all $`1in`$, and $`\lambda d_T=0`$ for every subset $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ of cardinality $`|T|2`$, as follows from the fact that $`\lambda d=0`$ in the Gysin sequence.

The image of $`\pi ^{}`$

We now come to a crucial lemma, one which allows us to write down the image of the ring homomorphism $`\pi ^{}:H^{}(BGO(2n))H^{}(BO(2n))`$.

###### Lemma 4.3.1

We have the equality $`ker(d)=im(\pi ^{})=ker(s)H^{}(BO(2n))`$, in other words, the sequence $`H^i(BGO(2n))\stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}H^i(BO(2n))\stackrel{s}{}H^{i1}(BO(2n))`$ is exact.

Proof  We have $`im(s)ker(d)=im(\pi ^{})ker(s)`$ by the exactness of the Gysin sequence. We have $`w_{2i1}=s(w_{2i})=\pi ^{}d(w_{2i})im(\pi ^{})`$ and as $`d(w_{2i}^2)=0`$, $`w_{2i}^2ker(d)=im(\pi ^{})`$. Hence we get the inclusion $`Aim(\pi ^{})`$, where $`A`$ is the polynomial ring in variables $`w_{2i1}`$ and $`w_{2i}^2`$. As already seen, $`im(s)im(\pi ^{})`$, so $`im(s)+Aim(\pi ^{})`$. This completes the proof, as $`ker(s)=im(s)+A`$ by Theorem 2.0.1. $`\mathrm{}`$

Generators for the ring $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$

###### Lemma 4.3.2

The ring $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$ is generated by $`\lambda ,(a_{2i1})_i,(b_{4i})_i,(d_T)_TH^{}(BGO(2n))`$.

Proof  Let $`SH^{}(BGO(2n))`$ be the subring generated by the elements
$`\lambda ,(a_{2i1})_i,(b_{4i})_i,(d_T)_T`$. By Theorem 2.0.1, the ring $`B`$ is generated by the elements $`w_{2i1}=\pi ^{}(a_{2i1})`$ and $`w_{2i}^2=\pi ^{}(b_{4i})`$ where $`1in`$, together with the elements $`s(v_T)=\pi ^{}(d_T)`$ where $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ with $`|T|2`$, which shows that $`\pi ^{}(S)=B`$. As $`1S`$, we have $`H^0(BGO(2n))S`$. Moreover, $`H^1(BGO(2n))=\{0,a_1\}S`$. We now proceed by induction. Suppose that $`H^j(BGO(2n))S`$ for all $`j<i`$. From $`\pi ^{}(S)=B`$, and the fact that $`\pi ^{}`$ is a graded homomorphism, it follows that given $`xH^i(BGO(2n))`$ there exists $`x^{}SH^i(BGO(2n))`$ such that $`\pi ^{}(x)=\pi ^{}(x^{})`$. Hence $`(xx^{})ker(\pi ^{})=im(\lambda )`$, so let $`x=x^{}+\lambda y`$ where $`yH^{i1}(BGO(2n))`$. By induction, $`yS`$, therefore $`xS`$. This proves the lemma. $`\mathrm{}`$

###### Lemma 4.3.3

In the $`k`$-algebra $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$, the $`n+1`$ elements $`\lambda `$ and $`b_{4i}`$ (where $`1in`$) are algebraically independent over $`k`$.

Proof  We recall the following commutative diagram in which the top row is exact.

$$\begin{array}{ccccccc}H^j(BGO(2n))& \stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}& H^j(BO(2n))& \stackrel{d}{}& H^{j1}(BGO(2n))& \stackrel{\lambda }{}& H^{j+1}(BGO(2n))\\ & & & s& \pi ^{}& & \\ & & & & H^{j1}(BO(2n))& & \end{array}$$

Let $`k[x_1,\mathrm{},x_n,y]`$ be a polynomial ring in the $`n+1`$ variables $`x_1,\mathrm{},x_n,y`$. Let $`fk[x_1,\mathrm{},x_n,y]`$ be a non-constant polynomial of the lowest possible total degree, with $`f(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=0`$. Let $`f=f_0+yf_1`$ where $`f_0k[x_1,\mathrm{},x_n]`$. Then as $`\pi ^{}(\lambda )=0`$, we get

$$0=\pi ^{}f(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=\pi ^{}f_0(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n})=f_0(w_2^2,\mathrm{},w_{2n}^2)$$

As $`w_{2i}^2`$ are algebraically independent elements of the $`k`$-algebra $`H^{}(BO(2n))`$, the equality $`\pi ^{}(b_{4i})=w_{2i}^2`$ implies that the $`n`$ elements $`b_{4i}H^{}(BGO(2n))`$ are algebraically independent over $`k`$. It follows that $`f_0=0k[x_1,\mathrm{},x_n]`$. Hence we have $`f=yf_1`$, and so $`\lambda f_1(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=f(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=0`$. Hence by exactness of the Gysin sequence, there exists $`zH^{}(BO(2n))`$ with $`f_1(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=dz`$. Applying $`\pi ^{}`$ to both sides, this gives $`\pi ^{}f_1(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=s(z)`$. Now let $`f_1=f_2+yf_3k[x_1,\mathrm{},x_n,y]`$, where $`f_2k[x_1,\mathrm{},x_n]`$. As $`\pi ^{}f_1(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=\pi ^{}f_2(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n})`$, we get the equality $`\pi ^{}f_2(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n})=s(z)`$, that is,

$$f_2(w_2^2,\mathrm{},w_{2n}^2)im(s)$$

Now, from the formula $`s=_iu_i\frac{}{v_i}`$, it follows that $`im(s)`$ is contained in the ideal generated by the $`u_i=w_{2i1}`$. Hence the above means that $`f_2(w_2^2,\mathrm{},w_{2n}^2)=0`$. Hence as before, $`f_2=0k[x_1,\mathrm{},x_n]`$. Hence we get $`f=yf_1=y^2f_3`$.

As $`\lambda (\lambda f_3(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda ))=\lambda ^2f_3(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=0`$, by exactness of the Gysin sequence there is some $`qH^{}(BO(2n))`$ with $`d(q)=\lambda f_3(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )`$. Hence $`s(q)=\pi ^{}d(q)=\pi ^{}(\lambda f_3(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda ))=0`$ as $`\pi ^{}(\lambda )=0`$. Hence $`qker(s)`$. The Lemma 4.3.1 showed that $`ker(s)=im(\pi ^{})`$, hence $`q=\pi ^{}(h)`$ for some $`hH^{}(BGO(2n))`$. But then we have

$$\lambda f_3(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=d(q)=d\pi ^{}(h)=0$$

as $`d\pi ^{}=0`$ in the Gysin complex. Hence the polynomial $`g=yf_3k[x_1,\mathrm{},x_n,y]`$, which is non-constant with degree less than that of $`f=yg`$, has the property that $`g(b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda )=0`$. This contradicts the choice of $`f`$, proving the lemma. $`\mathrm{}`$

#### Remark 4.3.4

Let $`k[b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda ]`$ denote the polynomial ring in the variables $`b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda `$. We have a short exact sequence of $`k`$-modules

$$0k[b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n},\lambda ]\stackrel{\lambda }{}H^{}(BGO(2n))\stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}B0$$

where injectivity of $`\lambda `$ is by Lemma 4.3.3, exactness in the middle is by exactness of the Gysin sequence, and surjectivity of $`\pi ^{}`$ is by Lemma 4.3.1.

Now we state and prove the main result.

Consider the $`2^n+n`$ algebraically independent indeterminates $`\lambda `$, $`a_{2i1}`$ and $`b_{4i}`$ where $`1in`$, and $`d_T`$ where $`T`$ varies over subsets of $`\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ of cardinality $`|T|2`$. Let $`k[\lambda ,(a_{2i1})_i,(b_{4i})_i,(d_T)_T]`$ be the polynomial rings in these variables.

###### Theorem 4.3.5

For any $`n1`$, the cohomology ring of $`BGO(2n)`$ with coefficients $`k=ZZ/(2)`$ is isomorphic to the quotient

$$H^{}(BGO(2n))=\frac{k[\lambda ,(a_{2i1})_i,(b_{4i})_i,(d_T)_T]}{I}$$

where $`I`$ is the ideal generated by

(1)  the $`n`$ elements $`\lambda a_{2i1}`$ for $`1in`$, and

(2)  the $`2^nn1`$ elements $`\lambda d_T`$ where $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ is a subset of cardinality $`2`$, and

(3)  the $`2^nn(n1)/2n1`$ elements of the form

$$\underset{iT}{}a_{2i1}d_{T\{i\}}$$

where $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ is a subset of cardinality $`3`$, and

(4)  the $`n(n1)/2`$ elements of the form

$$(d_{\{i,j\}})^2+a_{2i1}^2b_{4j}+a_{2j1}^2b_{4i}$$

where $`\{i,j\}\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ is a subset of cardinality $`2`$, and finally

(5)  the $`(2^nn1)^2n(n1)/2`$ elements (not necessarily distinct) of the form

$$d_Td_U+\underset{pT}{}\underset{qTU\{p\}}{}a_{2p1}b_{4q}d_{(T\{p\})\mathrm{\Delta }U}$$

where $`TU`$ in case both $`T`$ and $`U`$ have cardinality $`2`$, and where $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ denotes the symmetric difference of sets $`X\mathrm{\Delta }Y=(XY)(YX)`$.

Proof  Let $`R=k[\lambda ,(a_{2i1})_i,(b_{4i})_i,(d_T)_T]`$ denote the polynomial ring. Consider the homomorphism $`RH^{}(BGO(2n))`$ which maps each of the variables in this polynomial ring to the corresponding element of $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$. This map is surjective by Lemma 4.3.2.

From $`\pi ^{}(\lambda )=0`$ and from the description of $`B`$ in terms of generators and relations given in Theorem 2.0.1, it follows that all the generators of the ideal $`IR`$, which are listed above, map to $`0`$ under $`\pi ^{}:H^{}(BGO(2n))B`$. Hence we get an induced surjective homomorphism

$$\phi :R/IH^{}(BGO(2n))$$

From its definition, we see that the ideal $`IR`$ satisfies $`I\lambda k[\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n}]=0`$. Hence we get an inclusion $`\lambda k[\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n}]R/I`$. Next, consider the map $`RB`$ which sends $`\lambda 0`$, $`a_{2i1}w_{2i1}`$, $`b_{4i}w_{2i}^2`$, and $`d_Tc_T`$. From $`\pi ^{}(\lambda )=0`$ and from the description of $`B`$ in terms of generators and relations given in Theorem 2.0.1, it again follows that this map is surjective, and all the generators of the ideal $`IR`$ map to $`0`$, inducing a surjective homomorphism $`\psi :R/IB`$. Hence we get a short exact sequence $`0\lambda k[\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n}]R/I\stackrel{\psi }{}B0`$.

The above short exact sequence and the short exact sequence of Remark 4.3 fit in the following commutative diagram.

$$\begin{array}{ccccccc}0& \lambda k[\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n}]& & R/I& \stackrel{\psi }{}& B& 0\\ & & & \phi & & & \\ 0& \lambda k[\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n}]& & H^{}(BGO(2n))& \stackrel{\pi ^{}}{}& B& 0\end{array}$$

Hence the theorem follows by five lemma. $`\mathrm{}`$

#### Example 4.3.6

In particular, the small dimensional cohomology vector spaces of the $`BGO(2n)`$ are as follows, in terms of linear bases over the coefficients $`k=ZZ/(2)`$.

$`H^0(BGO(2n))`$ $`=`$ $`<1>`$
$`H^1(BGO(2n))`$ $`=`$ $`<a_1>`$
$`H^2(BGO(2n))`$ $`=`$ $`<\lambda ,a_1^2>`$
$`H^3(BGO(2n))`$ $`=`$ $`\{\begin{array}{cc}<a_1^3>\hfill & \text{ for }n=1,\hfill \\ <a_1^3,a_3>\hfill & \text{ for }n2.\hfill \end{array}`$
$`H^4(BGO(2n))`$ $`=`$ $`\{\begin{array}{cc}<\lambda ^2,a_1^4,b_4>\hfill & \text{ for }n=1,\hfill \\ <\lambda ^2,a_1^4,a_1a_3,b_4>\hfill & \text{ for }n2.\hfill \end{array}`$
$`H^5(BGO(2n))`$ $`=`$ $`\{\begin{array}{cc}<a_1^5,a_1b_4>\hfill & \text{ for }n=1,\hfill \\ <a_1^5,a_1^2a_3,a_1b_4,d_{\{1,2\}}>\hfill & \text{ for }n=2,\hfill \\ <a_1^5,a_1^2a_3,a_1b_4,a_5,d_{\{1,2\}}>\hfill & \text{ for }n3.\hfill \end{array}`$
## 5 The map $`H^{}(BGL(2n))H^{}(BGO(2n))`$

The cohomology ring $`H^{}(BGL(2n))`$ is the polynomial ring $`ZZ/(2)[\overline{c}_1,\mathrm{},\overline{c}_{2n}]`$ where the $`2n`$ variables $`\overline{c_i}`$ are the Chern classes mod $`2`$. By definition of $`b_{4r}H^{}(BGO(2n))`$ in terms of the universal triple $`(E,L,b)`$, we have $`\overline{c}_{2i}(E)=b_{4i}`$ for $`1in`$. Hence under the ring homomorphism $`H^{}(BGL(2n))H^{}(BGO(2n))`$ induced by the inclusion $`GO(2n)GL(2n)`$, we have $`\overline{c}_{2i}b_{4i}`$. The following proposition gives the images of the odd Chern classes $`\overline{c}_{2i}`$ in $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$, which completes the determination of the ring homomorphism $`H^{}(BGL(2n))H^{}(BGO(2n))`$.

###### Proposition 5.0.1

Consider the $`n\times n`$ matrix $`A`$ over $`ZZ/(2)[\lambda ^2]`$, with entries

$$A_{r,k}=\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{nk}{2r2k}\right)\lambda ^{2r2k}$$

This is a lower triangular matrix, with all diagonal entries equal to $`1`$, so is invertible over the ring $`ZZ/(2)[\lambda ^2]`$. Let $`B=A^1`$ be its matrix inverse, which is again lower triangular, with all diagonal entries $`1`$. For $`1rn`$, let the polynomial $`f_r(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4})`$ be defined by

$$f_r=\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2r1}\right)\lambda ^{2r2}+\underset{1kr1}{}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{nk}{2r12k}\right)\lambda ^{2r22k}\left(\underset{1jk}{}B_{k,j}(b_{4j}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2j}\right)\lambda ^{2j})\right)$$

By definition, $`f_r(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4})`$ is linear in $`b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4}`$, with the coefficient of $`b_{4r4}`$ equal to the constant $`nr+1ZZ/(2)`$. Then in the cohomology ring $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$, we have the identity

$$\overline{c}_{2r1}(E)=a_{2r1}^2+\lambda f_r(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4})$$

#### Proof

We divide the proof into two steps, (a) and (b).

(a)  For each $`1rn`$, there exists a unique polynomial $`g_r(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4})`$ such that $`\overline{c}_{2r1}(E)=a_{2r1}^2+\lambda g_r(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4})`$.

(b)  The polynomials $`g_r(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4})`$ are the polynomials $`f_r(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4})`$ defined in the statement of the proposition.

Proof of (a)  The composite homomorphism $`O(2n)GO(2n)GL(2n)`$ induces $`H^{}(BGL(2n))H^{}(BGO(2n))H^{}(BO(2n))`$ under which $`\overline{c}_iw_i^2`$. As $`a_{2i1}^2w_{2i1}^2`$ under $`H^{}(BGO(2n))H^{}(BO(2n))`$, we must have

$$\overline{c}_{2i1}(E)=a_{2i1}^2+x_{4i2}$$

where $`x_{4i2}`$ lies in the kernel of $`\pi ^{}:H^{4i2}(BGO(2n))H^{4i2}(BO(2n))`$. By exactness of Gysin, we have $`x_{4i2}=\lambda y_{4i4}`$ for some $`y_{4i4}H^{4i4}(BGO(2n))`$. Now, by the structure of the ring $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$, we know that $`\lambda `$ annihilates the $`a_{2j1}`$’s and the $`d_T`$’s. Hence we can replace $`y_{4i4}`$ by a polynomial $`g_i(\lambda ,b_{4j})`$ in $`\lambda `$ and the $`b_{4j}`$’s. As by Lemma 4.3.3 the variables $`\lambda `$ and the $`b_{4j}`$ are algebraically independent, $`g_i`$ is unique. By degree considerations, the highest $`b_{4j}`$ that occurs in $`g_i`$ can be at most $`b_{4i4}`$. This completes the proof of (a).

Proof of (b)  We first determine the polynomial $`g_i(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4i4})`$ in the following Example 5 of a triple $`𝒯=(E,L,b)`$, which generalizes the Example 4.1.

#### Example 5.0.2

Let $`𝒪(1)`$ be the universal line bundle on $`B(CI^{})=𝐏_{CI}^{\mathrm{}}`$. Let $`X=B(CI^{})\times \mathrm{}\times B(CI^{})`$ be the product of $`n+1`$ copies, and let $`p_i:XB(CI^{})`$ be the projections for $`0in`$. Let $`L=p_0^{}(𝒪(1))`$, and for $`1in`$ let $`K_i=p_i^{}(𝒪(1))`$. On $`X`$, we get the nondegenerate triples $`𝒯_i=((LK_i)K_i^1,L,b_i)`$ where $`b_i`$ is induced by the canonical isomorphism $`(LK_i)K_i^1\stackrel{}{}L`$. Let $`𝒯=(E,L,b)`$ be the triple $`𝒯_i`$. We now write down the characteristic classes of $`𝒯`$. Let $`\lambda =\overline{c}_1(L)`$. Then by definition, $`\lambda (𝒯)=\lambda `$. As the odd cohomologies of $`X`$ are zero, the classes $`a_{2i1}(𝒯)`$ and $`d_T(𝒯)`$ are zero, for all $`1in`$ and for all $`T\{1,\mathrm{},n\}`$ with $`|T|2`$.

Let $`x_i=\overline{c}_1(K_i)`$ for $`1in`$, and let $`s_k(\lambda x_i+x_i^2)`$ denote the $`k`$ th elementary symmetric polynomial in the variables $`\lambda x_1+x_1^2,\mathrm{},\lambda x_n+x_n^2`$. As $`E`$ is the direct sum of the $`(LK_i)K_i^1`$, its mod $`2`$ Chern classes $`\overline{c}_i`$ are given by

$`\overline{c}_{2r}(E)`$ $`=`$ $`\left({\displaystyle \genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2r}}\right)\lambda ^{2r}+{\displaystyle \underset{1kr}{}}\left({\displaystyle \genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{nk}{2r2k}}\right)\lambda ^{2r2k}s_k(\lambda x_i+x_i^2)`$
$`\overline{c}_{2r1}(E)`$ $`=`$ $`\left({\displaystyle \genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2r1}}\right)\lambda ^{2r1}+{\displaystyle \underset{1kr1}{}}\left({\displaystyle \genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{nk}{2r12k}}\right)\lambda ^{2r12k}s_k(\lambda x_i+x_i^2)`$
As $`b_{4r}(𝒯)=\overline{c}_{2r}(E)`$, we have the following equations for $`1rn`$.

$$b_{4r}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2r}\right)\lambda ^{2r}=\underset{1kr}{}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{nk}{2r2k}\right)\lambda ^{2r2k}s_k(\lambda x_i+x_i^2)$$

This is a system of linear equations with coefficients in $`ZZ/(2)[\lambda ^2]`$, for the $`b_{4r}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2r}\right)\lambda ^{2r}`$ in terms of the $`s_k(\lambda x_i+x_i^2)`$. It is given by the $`n\times n`$ matrix $`A`$ over $`ZZ/(2)[\lambda ^2]`$, with entries

$$A_{r,k}=\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{nk}{2r2k}\right)\lambda ^{2r2k}$$

This is a lower triangular matrix, with all diagonal entries equal to $`1`$, so is invertible over the ring $`ZZ/(2)[\lambda ^2]`$. Let $`B=A^1`$ be its matrix inverse, which is again lower triangular, with diagonal entries $`1`$. Hence we get

$$s_r(\lambda x_i+x_i^2)=\underset{1kr}{}B_{r,k}(b_{4k}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2k}\right)\lambda ^{2k})$$

Substituting this in the equation for $`\overline{c}_{2r1}(E)`$, we get equations

$$\overline{c}_{2r1}(E)=\lambda f_r(\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4r4})$$

where

$$f_r=\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2r1}\right)\lambda ^{2r2}+\underset{1kr1}{}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{nk}{2r12k}\right)\lambda ^{2r22k}\left(\underset{1jk}{}B_{k,j}(b_{4j}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2j}\right)\lambda ^{2j})\right)$$

Proof of (b) continued  In the Example 5, we have the desired equality $`g_i=f_i`$. Note that the cohomology ring $`H^{}(X)`$ is the polynomial ring $`ZZ/(2)[\lambda ,x_1,\mathrm{},x_n]`$, in which the $`n+1`$ elements $`\lambda ,b_4,\mathrm{},b_{4n}`$ are algebraically independent, where $`b_{4r}=\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{n}{2r}\right)\lambda ^{2r}+_{1kr}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{nk}{2r2k}\right)\lambda ^{2r2k}s_k(\lambda x_i+x_i^2)`$. Hence as $`g_i=f_i`$ in this example, we get $`g_i=f_i`$ universally.

This completes the proof of Proposition 5.0.1. $`\mathrm{}`$

#### Example 5.0.3

The above proposition in particular gives in $`H^{}(BGO(2n))`$ the identities

$`\overline{c}_1`$ $`=`$ $`a_1^2+n\lambda \text{for all }n1,\text{and}`$
$`\overline{c}_3`$ $`=`$ $`a_3^2+{\displaystyle \frac{n(n1)(2n1)}{6}}\lambda ^3+(n1)\lambda b_4\text{for all }n2.`$
Acknowledgement  Y. I. Holla thanks ICTP Trieste, and N. Nitsure thanks the University of Essen, for support while this work was being completed.

## References

\[H-N\] Holla, Y. I. and Nitsure, N. : Characteristic Classes for $`BGO(2n)`$. (Earlier version of this paper, without the last section). To appear in Asian J. Mathematics.

\[M\] Matsumura, H. : Commutative ring theory, Cambridge Studies in Advanced Mathematics 8, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1986.

Address : School of Mathematics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai 400 005, India.

e-mails: yogi@math.tifr.res.in, nitsure@math.tifr.res.in

22-III-2000, revised on 22-V-2000


text:
# 1 Generic diagram of the pp→ppπ⁰. The empty blobs represent initial- and final-state interactions (ISI and FSI), and the shaded blob the two-nucleon irreducible transition operators. The momenta in the asymptotic region have bars attached to them.

## Acknowledgement

We thank M. Rho, K. Kubodera, F. Myhrer and the nuclear theory group of University of South Carolina for useful discussions. SA also thanks B.-Y. Park for discussions. This research was supported in part by the KOSEF Grant 985-0200-001-2 and KRF 1999-015-DI0023, and by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. PHY-9900756 and No. INT-9730847.