Geometric representation of cohomology classes for the Lie groups Spin(7) and Spin(8)

Geometric representation of cohomology classes for the Lie groups Spin(7) and Spin(8)

Eiolf Kaspersen and Gereon Quick – GJM, Volume 10, Issue 1 (2025), 17-24.

By constructing concrete complex-oriented maps we show that the eight-fold of the generator of the third integral cohomology of the spin groups Spin(7) and Spin(8) is in the image of the Thom morphism from complex cobordism to singular cohomology, while the generator itself is not in the image. We thereby give a geometric construction for a nontrivial class in the kernel of the differential Thom morphism of Hopkins and Singer for the Lie groups Spin(7) and Spin(8). The construction exploits the special symmetries of the octonions.

Categories: 2025, Issue1

Milestones:

Received: February 11, 2025
Accepted: June 17, 2025
Revised: June 19, 2025
Published: July 25, 2025

Authors:

Eiolf Kaspersen and Gereon Quick
Department of Mathematical Sciences,
NTNU, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

Download: