Orientable with respect to complex cobordism?Which cohomology theories are real- and complex-orientable?Characteristic classes detecting nontrivial fiberwise homotopy of sphere bundlesCombinatorial spin structuresThe Borel construction of equivariant cobordism“Naïve”cobordism?A Property of Generalized Equivariant CohomologyString Orientation and Level StructuresAre all 4-manifolds $Pin^tildec$?Why not $mathitKSO$, $mathitKSpin$, etc.?Combinatorial spin$^mathbfC$ structures

Orientable with respect to complex cobordism?


Which cohomology theories are real- and complex-orientable?Characteristic classes detecting nontrivial fiberwise homotopy of sphere bundlesCombinatorial spin structuresThe Borel construction of equivariant cobordism“Naïve”cobordism?A Property of Generalized Equivariant CohomologyString Orientation and Level StructuresAre all 4-manifolds $Pin^tildec$?Why not $mathitKSO$, $mathitKSpin$, etc.?Combinatorial spin$^mathbfC$ structures













5












$begingroup$


I have learned that an orientation of a manifold $M$ with respect to ordinary cohomology is an ordinary orientation, that an orientation with respect to complex K-theory is a Spin$^c$ structure, and that an orientation with respect to real K-theory is a spin structure. I think this is a very beautiful picture and I am wondering if orientations with respect to other theories like elliptic cohomology, G-equivariant cohomology, quaternionic K-theory, or spin cobordism correspond to interesting and well-studied differential-geometric structures.



Complex manifolds should be oriented with respect to any complex-oriented cohomology theory. Indeed, if $E$ is a complex-oriented cohomology theory then all complex vector bundles carry $E$-orientations. In particular, if $X$ is a complex manifold then its tangent bundle $TX$ has a complex structure making $X$ an $E$-oriented manifold.



Given that complex cobordism is the universal complex-oriented cohomology theory, I would guess that an orientation with respect to complex cobordism is a complex structure. I have been unable to find any literature on this and I am unsure how to approach the problem rigorously on my own. Maybe someone knows?










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 5




    $begingroup$
    It isn’t really right to say that an “an orientation with respect to real K theory is a spin structure”. It’s the other way around: if you admit a Spin structure then you have a Thom isomorphism in KO-theory.
    $endgroup$
    – Dylan Wilson
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    map.mpim-bonn.mpg.de/Complex_bordism#Stably_complex_structures
    $endgroup$
    – Mark Grant
    8 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    In fact the relationship between ordinary orientability and ordinary cohomology is sort of a coincidence that doesn’t occur in the other examples nor in the situation of your question. (In particular having a stably almost complex structure is not the same as having an orientation wrt MU).
    $endgroup$
    – Dylan Wilson
    8 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @DylanWilson Is it not true to say that the data of a $KO$-Thom class for the stable normal bundle of a manifold $X$ is equivalent to the data of a spin structure on $X$?
    $endgroup$
    – LarryFisherman
    6 hours ago







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @DylanWilson: I'm having trouble seeing why a stably complex structure on a manifold $M$ isn't the same as having an $MU$-orientation. An $E$-orientation on an manifold $M$ is defined as a choice of Thom class for the stable normal $nu$ bundle of $M$. But then an $MU$-orientation of $M$ is a Thom class $tin tildeMU^k(Tnu)$, which is represented by a map $Tnuto MU(k)$. Is the problem that this might not be the Thomification of a classifying map?
    $endgroup$
    – Mark Grant
    6 hours ago















5












$begingroup$


I have learned that an orientation of a manifold $M$ with respect to ordinary cohomology is an ordinary orientation, that an orientation with respect to complex K-theory is a Spin$^c$ structure, and that an orientation with respect to real K-theory is a spin structure. I think this is a very beautiful picture and I am wondering if orientations with respect to other theories like elliptic cohomology, G-equivariant cohomology, quaternionic K-theory, or spin cobordism correspond to interesting and well-studied differential-geometric structures.



Complex manifolds should be oriented with respect to any complex-oriented cohomology theory. Indeed, if $E$ is a complex-oriented cohomology theory then all complex vector bundles carry $E$-orientations. In particular, if $X$ is a complex manifold then its tangent bundle $TX$ has a complex structure making $X$ an $E$-oriented manifold.



Given that complex cobordism is the universal complex-oriented cohomology theory, I would guess that an orientation with respect to complex cobordism is a complex structure. I have been unable to find any literature on this and I am unsure how to approach the problem rigorously on my own. Maybe someone knows?










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 5




    $begingroup$
    It isn’t really right to say that an “an orientation with respect to real K theory is a spin structure”. It’s the other way around: if you admit a Spin structure then you have a Thom isomorphism in KO-theory.
    $endgroup$
    – Dylan Wilson
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    map.mpim-bonn.mpg.de/Complex_bordism#Stably_complex_structures
    $endgroup$
    – Mark Grant
    8 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    In fact the relationship between ordinary orientability and ordinary cohomology is sort of a coincidence that doesn’t occur in the other examples nor in the situation of your question. (In particular having a stably almost complex structure is not the same as having an orientation wrt MU).
    $endgroup$
    – Dylan Wilson
    8 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @DylanWilson Is it not true to say that the data of a $KO$-Thom class for the stable normal bundle of a manifold $X$ is equivalent to the data of a spin structure on $X$?
    $endgroup$
    – LarryFisherman
    6 hours ago







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @DylanWilson: I'm having trouble seeing why a stably complex structure on a manifold $M$ isn't the same as having an $MU$-orientation. An $E$-orientation on an manifold $M$ is defined as a choice of Thom class for the stable normal $nu$ bundle of $M$. But then an $MU$-orientation of $M$ is a Thom class $tin tildeMU^k(Tnu)$, which is represented by a map $Tnuto MU(k)$. Is the problem that this might not be the Thomification of a classifying map?
    $endgroup$
    – Mark Grant
    6 hours ago













5












5








5


1



$begingroup$


I have learned that an orientation of a manifold $M$ with respect to ordinary cohomology is an ordinary orientation, that an orientation with respect to complex K-theory is a Spin$^c$ structure, and that an orientation with respect to real K-theory is a spin structure. I think this is a very beautiful picture and I am wondering if orientations with respect to other theories like elliptic cohomology, G-equivariant cohomology, quaternionic K-theory, or spin cobordism correspond to interesting and well-studied differential-geometric structures.



Complex manifolds should be oriented with respect to any complex-oriented cohomology theory. Indeed, if $E$ is a complex-oriented cohomology theory then all complex vector bundles carry $E$-orientations. In particular, if $X$ is a complex manifold then its tangent bundle $TX$ has a complex structure making $X$ an $E$-oriented manifold.



Given that complex cobordism is the universal complex-oriented cohomology theory, I would guess that an orientation with respect to complex cobordism is a complex structure. I have been unable to find any literature on this and I am unsure how to approach the problem rigorously on my own. Maybe someone knows?










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




I have learned that an orientation of a manifold $M$ with respect to ordinary cohomology is an ordinary orientation, that an orientation with respect to complex K-theory is a Spin$^c$ structure, and that an orientation with respect to real K-theory is a spin structure. I think this is a very beautiful picture and I am wondering if orientations with respect to other theories like elliptic cohomology, G-equivariant cohomology, quaternionic K-theory, or spin cobordism correspond to interesting and well-studied differential-geometric structures.



Complex manifolds should be oriented with respect to any complex-oriented cohomology theory. Indeed, if $E$ is a complex-oriented cohomology theory then all complex vector bundles carry $E$-orientations. In particular, if $X$ is a complex manifold then its tangent bundle $TX$ has a complex structure making $X$ an $E$-oriented manifold.



Given that complex cobordism is the universal complex-oriented cohomology theory, I would guess that an orientation with respect to complex cobordism is a complex structure. I have been unable to find any literature on this and I am unsure how to approach the problem rigorously on my own. Maybe someone knows?







at.algebraic-topology complex-manifolds cobordism






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited 9 hours ago









user64494

2,005717




2,005717










asked 9 hours ago









LarryFishermanLarryFisherman

894




894







  • 5




    $begingroup$
    It isn’t really right to say that an “an orientation with respect to real K theory is a spin structure”. It’s the other way around: if you admit a Spin structure then you have a Thom isomorphism in KO-theory.
    $endgroup$
    – Dylan Wilson
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    map.mpim-bonn.mpg.de/Complex_bordism#Stably_complex_structures
    $endgroup$
    – Mark Grant
    8 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    In fact the relationship between ordinary orientability and ordinary cohomology is sort of a coincidence that doesn’t occur in the other examples nor in the situation of your question. (In particular having a stably almost complex structure is not the same as having an orientation wrt MU).
    $endgroup$
    – Dylan Wilson
    8 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @DylanWilson Is it not true to say that the data of a $KO$-Thom class for the stable normal bundle of a manifold $X$ is equivalent to the data of a spin structure on $X$?
    $endgroup$
    – LarryFisherman
    6 hours ago







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @DylanWilson: I'm having trouble seeing why a stably complex structure on a manifold $M$ isn't the same as having an $MU$-orientation. An $E$-orientation on an manifold $M$ is defined as a choice of Thom class for the stable normal $nu$ bundle of $M$. But then an $MU$-orientation of $M$ is a Thom class $tin tildeMU^k(Tnu)$, which is represented by a map $Tnuto MU(k)$. Is the problem that this might not be the Thomification of a classifying map?
    $endgroup$
    – Mark Grant
    6 hours ago












  • 5




    $begingroup$
    It isn’t really right to say that an “an orientation with respect to real K theory is a spin structure”. It’s the other way around: if you admit a Spin structure then you have a Thom isomorphism in KO-theory.
    $endgroup$
    – Dylan Wilson
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    map.mpim-bonn.mpg.de/Complex_bordism#Stably_complex_structures
    $endgroup$
    – Mark Grant
    8 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    In fact the relationship between ordinary orientability and ordinary cohomology is sort of a coincidence that doesn’t occur in the other examples nor in the situation of your question. (In particular having a stably almost complex structure is not the same as having an orientation wrt MU).
    $endgroup$
    – Dylan Wilson
    8 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @DylanWilson Is it not true to say that the data of a $KO$-Thom class for the stable normal bundle of a manifold $X$ is equivalent to the data of a spin structure on $X$?
    $endgroup$
    – LarryFisherman
    6 hours ago







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @DylanWilson: I'm having trouble seeing why a stably complex structure on a manifold $M$ isn't the same as having an $MU$-orientation. An $E$-orientation on an manifold $M$ is defined as a choice of Thom class for the stable normal $nu$ bundle of $M$. But then an $MU$-orientation of $M$ is a Thom class $tin tildeMU^k(Tnu)$, which is represented by a map $Tnuto MU(k)$. Is the problem that this might not be the Thomification of a classifying map?
    $endgroup$
    – Mark Grant
    6 hours ago







5




5




$begingroup$
It isn’t really right to say that an “an orientation with respect to real K theory is a spin structure”. It’s the other way around: if you admit a Spin structure then you have a Thom isomorphism in KO-theory.
$endgroup$
– Dylan Wilson
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
It isn’t really right to say that an “an orientation with respect to real K theory is a spin structure”. It’s the other way around: if you admit a Spin structure then you have a Thom isomorphism in KO-theory.
$endgroup$
– Dylan Wilson
9 hours ago












$begingroup$
map.mpim-bonn.mpg.de/Complex_bordism#Stably_complex_structures
$endgroup$
– Mark Grant
8 hours ago




$begingroup$
map.mpim-bonn.mpg.de/Complex_bordism#Stably_complex_structures
$endgroup$
– Mark Grant
8 hours ago












$begingroup$
In fact the relationship between ordinary orientability and ordinary cohomology is sort of a coincidence that doesn’t occur in the other examples nor in the situation of your question. (In particular having a stably almost complex structure is not the same as having an orientation wrt MU).
$endgroup$
– Dylan Wilson
8 hours ago




$begingroup$
In fact the relationship between ordinary orientability and ordinary cohomology is sort of a coincidence that doesn’t occur in the other examples nor in the situation of your question. (In particular having a stably almost complex structure is not the same as having an orientation wrt MU).
$endgroup$
– Dylan Wilson
8 hours ago




2




2




$begingroup$
@DylanWilson Is it not true to say that the data of a $KO$-Thom class for the stable normal bundle of a manifold $X$ is equivalent to the data of a spin structure on $X$?
$endgroup$
– LarryFisherman
6 hours ago





$begingroup$
@DylanWilson Is it not true to say that the data of a $KO$-Thom class for the stable normal bundle of a manifold $X$ is equivalent to the data of a spin structure on $X$?
$endgroup$
– LarryFisherman
6 hours ago





1




1




$begingroup$
@DylanWilson: I'm having trouble seeing why a stably complex structure on a manifold $M$ isn't the same as having an $MU$-orientation. An $E$-orientation on an manifold $M$ is defined as a choice of Thom class for the stable normal $nu$ bundle of $M$. But then an $MU$-orientation of $M$ is a Thom class $tin tildeMU^k(Tnu)$, which is represented by a map $Tnuto MU(k)$. Is the problem that this might not be the Thomification of a classifying map?
$endgroup$
– Mark Grant
6 hours ago




$begingroup$
@DylanWilson: I'm having trouble seeing why a stably complex structure on a manifold $M$ isn't the same as having an $MU$-orientation. An $E$-orientation on an manifold $M$ is defined as a choice of Thom class for the stable normal $nu$ bundle of $M$. But then an $MU$-orientation of $M$ is a Thom class $tin tildeMU^k(Tnu)$, which is represented by a map $Tnuto MU(k)$. Is the problem that this might not be the Thomification of a classifying map?
$endgroup$
– Mark Grant
6 hours ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















8












$begingroup$

Let me expand a bit on my comments. If $E$ is a nice enough ring spectrum (e.g. an $mathbbE_2$-ring spectrum; there is also a slightly modified version that works for an $mathbbE_1$-ring) then the story of orientations work like this:



If you have a vector bundle, or, more generally, a stable spherical fibration (of rank 0, say) on a space $X$, this will be classified by a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$ where $mathrmGL_1(S^0)$ is the space of self-equivalences of the sphere spectrum. Let $mathrmGL_1(E)$ denote the union of those components of $Omega^inftyE$ corresponding to units in $pi_0Omega^inftyE = pi_0E$. An $E$-orientation is a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0) to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. (Again, there are some slight modifications if $E$ is less nice; there are also definitions one can make without anything more than a homotopy ring structure on $E$, but that is a slightly less intuitive picture I think.)



To summarize in a more informal way: if you have a vector bundle $V$ of rank $n$ on $X$, you can form the corresponding stable spherical fibration which, intuitively, means you associate to each point of $x$ the spectrum $Sigma^-nS^V_x$; to each path $x to y$ in $X$ you get an equivalence $Sigma^-nS^V_x to Sigma^-nS^V_y$; a homotopy of paths gives a homotopy between equivalences, etc. etc. This spells out a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$. This is a local system of spectra which all look like $S^0$ up to equivalence. You can fiberwise smash with $E$ to get a local system of spectra that all look like $E$ up to equivalence, and that gives you the map $Xto mathrmBGL_1(E)$. An $E$-orientation is a trivialization of this local system. It's saying that, through the eyes of $E$, the bundle looks like the trivial bundle (whence the Thom isomorphism: the Thom spectrum looks like a suspension (i.e. the Thom spectrum of a trivial bundle) through the eyes of $E$).



Now, if you want to $E$-orient all spin bundles, or spin-c bundles, etc., then you just have to do the above in the universal case, when $X$ is the classifying space for such bundles.



So, for example, to show that every oriented vector bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, we consider the map $mathrmBSO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. This factors as $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. But $mathrmGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ) = mathbbZ/2=O(1)$, the discrete group, so its classifying space is $mathrmBO(1)$ and the sequence $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is the defining sequence for $mathrmBSO$. In other words: not only is it the case that every oriented bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, but the converse also holds because a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is exactly the data of an orientation.



But this is a happy accident. For example, it is not the case that we have fiber sequences $mathrmBSpin to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmKO)$, nor do we have fiber sequences $mathrmBU to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Instead, in each instance the composite has a nullhomotopy (which is, in the first case, a difficult theorem of Atiyah-Bott-Shapiro, and, in the latter case, sort of tautological) but the first term is not the fiber of the second map.




Some added stuff in response to the OP and Mark:



Suppose you've got some classifying space for vector bundles with extra structure, $mathrmBG$, and you provide a nullhomotopy for $mathrmBG to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. This buys you a map $mathrmBG to mathrmGL_1(E)/mathrmO$ (where you should interpret this symbol carefully- really it's just notation for the fiber of $mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$ but you can realize it as a sort of homotopy quotient if you want). The failure of this map to be an equivalence will be the failure of "$E$-orientation" to be the same as "$G$-structure".



As an explicit example, let's consider the difference between $U$-structures and $mathrmMU$-orientations. The nontrivial map $S^9 to mathrmBO$ certainly doesn't lift to $mathrmBU$ (since $pi_9mathrmBU = 0$), but it does become nullhomotopic in $pi_9mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Indeed, every bundle on every sphere $S^n$ for $n>1$ is $mathrmMU$-orientable because the map $pi_nmathrmBGL_1(S^0) to pi_nmathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$ is trivial for $n>1$ (since the source is torsion and the target is torsion-free when $n>1$).






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    $begingroup$

    Let me expand a bit on my comments. If $E$ is a nice enough ring spectrum (e.g. an $mathbbE_2$-ring spectrum; there is also a slightly modified version that works for an $mathbbE_1$-ring) then the story of orientations work like this:



    If you have a vector bundle, or, more generally, a stable spherical fibration (of rank 0, say) on a space $X$, this will be classified by a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$ where $mathrmGL_1(S^0)$ is the space of self-equivalences of the sphere spectrum. Let $mathrmGL_1(E)$ denote the union of those components of $Omega^inftyE$ corresponding to units in $pi_0Omega^inftyE = pi_0E$. An $E$-orientation is a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0) to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. (Again, there are some slight modifications if $E$ is less nice; there are also definitions one can make without anything more than a homotopy ring structure on $E$, but that is a slightly less intuitive picture I think.)



    To summarize in a more informal way: if you have a vector bundle $V$ of rank $n$ on $X$, you can form the corresponding stable spherical fibration which, intuitively, means you associate to each point of $x$ the spectrum $Sigma^-nS^V_x$; to each path $x to y$ in $X$ you get an equivalence $Sigma^-nS^V_x to Sigma^-nS^V_y$; a homotopy of paths gives a homotopy between equivalences, etc. etc. This spells out a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$. This is a local system of spectra which all look like $S^0$ up to equivalence. You can fiberwise smash with $E$ to get a local system of spectra that all look like $E$ up to equivalence, and that gives you the map $Xto mathrmBGL_1(E)$. An $E$-orientation is a trivialization of this local system. It's saying that, through the eyes of $E$, the bundle looks like the trivial bundle (whence the Thom isomorphism: the Thom spectrum looks like a suspension (i.e. the Thom spectrum of a trivial bundle) through the eyes of $E$).



    Now, if you want to $E$-orient all spin bundles, or spin-c bundles, etc., then you just have to do the above in the universal case, when $X$ is the classifying space for such bundles.



    So, for example, to show that every oriented vector bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, we consider the map $mathrmBSO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. This factors as $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. But $mathrmGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ) = mathbbZ/2=O(1)$, the discrete group, so its classifying space is $mathrmBO(1)$ and the sequence $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is the defining sequence for $mathrmBSO$. In other words: not only is it the case that every oriented bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, but the converse also holds because a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is exactly the data of an orientation.



    But this is a happy accident. For example, it is not the case that we have fiber sequences $mathrmBSpin to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmKO)$, nor do we have fiber sequences $mathrmBU to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Instead, in each instance the composite has a nullhomotopy (which is, in the first case, a difficult theorem of Atiyah-Bott-Shapiro, and, in the latter case, sort of tautological) but the first term is not the fiber of the second map.




    Some added stuff in response to the OP and Mark:



    Suppose you've got some classifying space for vector bundles with extra structure, $mathrmBG$, and you provide a nullhomotopy for $mathrmBG to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. This buys you a map $mathrmBG to mathrmGL_1(E)/mathrmO$ (where you should interpret this symbol carefully- really it's just notation for the fiber of $mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$ but you can realize it as a sort of homotopy quotient if you want). The failure of this map to be an equivalence will be the failure of "$E$-orientation" to be the same as "$G$-structure".



    As an explicit example, let's consider the difference between $U$-structures and $mathrmMU$-orientations. The nontrivial map $S^9 to mathrmBO$ certainly doesn't lift to $mathrmBU$ (since $pi_9mathrmBU = 0$), but it does become nullhomotopic in $pi_9mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Indeed, every bundle on every sphere $S^n$ for $n>1$ is $mathrmMU$-orientable because the map $pi_nmathrmBGL_1(S^0) to pi_nmathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$ is trivial for $n>1$ (since the source is torsion and the target is torsion-free when $n>1$).






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$

















      8












      $begingroup$

      Let me expand a bit on my comments. If $E$ is a nice enough ring spectrum (e.g. an $mathbbE_2$-ring spectrum; there is also a slightly modified version that works for an $mathbbE_1$-ring) then the story of orientations work like this:



      If you have a vector bundle, or, more generally, a stable spherical fibration (of rank 0, say) on a space $X$, this will be classified by a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$ where $mathrmGL_1(S^0)$ is the space of self-equivalences of the sphere spectrum. Let $mathrmGL_1(E)$ denote the union of those components of $Omega^inftyE$ corresponding to units in $pi_0Omega^inftyE = pi_0E$. An $E$-orientation is a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0) to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. (Again, there are some slight modifications if $E$ is less nice; there are also definitions one can make without anything more than a homotopy ring structure on $E$, but that is a slightly less intuitive picture I think.)



      To summarize in a more informal way: if you have a vector bundle $V$ of rank $n$ on $X$, you can form the corresponding stable spherical fibration which, intuitively, means you associate to each point of $x$ the spectrum $Sigma^-nS^V_x$; to each path $x to y$ in $X$ you get an equivalence $Sigma^-nS^V_x to Sigma^-nS^V_y$; a homotopy of paths gives a homotopy between equivalences, etc. etc. This spells out a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$. This is a local system of spectra which all look like $S^0$ up to equivalence. You can fiberwise smash with $E$ to get a local system of spectra that all look like $E$ up to equivalence, and that gives you the map $Xto mathrmBGL_1(E)$. An $E$-orientation is a trivialization of this local system. It's saying that, through the eyes of $E$, the bundle looks like the trivial bundle (whence the Thom isomorphism: the Thom spectrum looks like a suspension (i.e. the Thom spectrum of a trivial bundle) through the eyes of $E$).



      Now, if you want to $E$-orient all spin bundles, or spin-c bundles, etc., then you just have to do the above in the universal case, when $X$ is the classifying space for such bundles.



      So, for example, to show that every oriented vector bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, we consider the map $mathrmBSO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. This factors as $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. But $mathrmGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ) = mathbbZ/2=O(1)$, the discrete group, so its classifying space is $mathrmBO(1)$ and the sequence $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is the defining sequence for $mathrmBSO$. In other words: not only is it the case that every oriented bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, but the converse also holds because a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is exactly the data of an orientation.



      But this is a happy accident. For example, it is not the case that we have fiber sequences $mathrmBSpin to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmKO)$, nor do we have fiber sequences $mathrmBU to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Instead, in each instance the composite has a nullhomotopy (which is, in the first case, a difficult theorem of Atiyah-Bott-Shapiro, and, in the latter case, sort of tautological) but the first term is not the fiber of the second map.




      Some added stuff in response to the OP and Mark:



      Suppose you've got some classifying space for vector bundles with extra structure, $mathrmBG$, and you provide a nullhomotopy for $mathrmBG to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. This buys you a map $mathrmBG to mathrmGL_1(E)/mathrmO$ (where you should interpret this symbol carefully- really it's just notation for the fiber of $mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$ but you can realize it as a sort of homotopy quotient if you want). The failure of this map to be an equivalence will be the failure of "$E$-orientation" to be the same as "$G$-structure".



      As an explicit example, let's consider the difference between $U$-structures and $mathrmMU$-orientations. The nontrivial map $S^9 to mathrmBO$ certainly doesn't lift to $mathrmBU$ (since $pi_9mathrmBU = 0$), but it does become nullhomotopic in $pi_9mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Indeed, every bundle on every sphere $S^n$ for $n>1$ is $mathrmMU$-orientable because the map $pi_nmathrmBGL_1(S^0) to pi_nmathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$ is trivial for $n>1$ (since the source is torsion and the target is torsion-free when $n>1$).






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$















        8












        8








        8





        $begingroup$

        Let me expand a bit on my comments. If $E$ is a nice enough ring spectrum (e.g. an $mathbbE_2$-ring spectrum; there is also a slightly modified version that works for an $mathbbE_1$-ring) then the story of orientations work like this:



        If you have a vector bundle, or, more generally, a stable spherical fibration (of rank 0, say) on a space $X$, this will be classified by a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$ where $mathrmGL_1(S^0)$ is the space of self-equivalences of the sphere spectrum. Let $mathrmGL_1(E)$ denote the union of those components of $Omega^inftyE$ corresponding to units in $pi_0Omega^inftyE = pi_0E$. An $E$-orientation is a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0) to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. (Again, there are some slight modifications if $E$ is less nice; there are also definitions one can make without anything more than a homotopy ring structure on $E$, but that is a slightly less intuitive picture I think.)



        To summarize in a more informal way: if you have a vector bundle $V$ of rank $n$ on $X$, you can form the corresponding stable spherical fibration which, intuitively, means you associate to each point of $x$ the spectrum $Sigma^-nS^V_x$; to each path $x to y$ in $X$ you get an equivalence $Sigma^-nS^V_x to Sigma^-nS^V_y$; a homotopy of paths gives a homotopy between equivalences, etc. etc. This spells out a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$. This is a local system of spectra which all look like $S^0$ up to equivalence. You can fiberwise smash with $E$ to get a local system of spectra that all look like $E$ up to equivalence, and that gives you the map $Xto mathrmBGL_1(E)$. An $E$-orientation is a trivialization of this local system. It's saying that, through the eyes of $E$, the bundle looks like the trivial bundle (whence the Thom isomorphism: the Thom spectrum looks like a suspension (i.e. the Thom spectrum of a trivial bundle) through the eyes of $E$).



        Now, if you want to $E$-orient all spin bundles, or spin-c bundles, etc., then you just have to do the above in the universal case, when $X$ is the classifying space for such bundles.



        So, for example, to show that every oriented vector bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, we consider the map $mathrmBSO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. This factors as $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. But $mathrmGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ) = mathbbZ/2=O(1)$, the discrete group, so its classifying space is $mathrmBO(1)$ and the sequence $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is the defining sequence for $mathrmBSO$. In other words: not only is it the case that every oriented bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, but the converse also holds because a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is exactly the data of an orientation.



        But this is a happy accident. For example, it is not the case that we have fiber sequences $mathrmBSpin to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmKO)$, nor do we have fiber sequences $mathrmBU to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Instead, in each instance the composite has a nullhomotopy (which is, in the first case, a difficult theorem of Atiyah-Bott-Shapiro, and, in the latter case, sort of tautological) but the first term is not the fiber of the second map.




        Some added stuff in response to the OP and Mark:



        Suppose you've got some classifying space for vector bundles with extra structure, $mathrmBG$, and you provide a nullhomotopy for $mathrmBG to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. This buys you a map $mathrmBG to mathrmGL_1(E)/mathrmO$ (where you should interpret this symbol carefully- really it's just notation for the fiber of $mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$ but you can realize it as a sort of homotopy quotient if you want). The failure of this map to be an equivalence will be the failure of "$E$-orientation" to be the same as "$G$-structure".



        As an explicit example, let's consider the difference between $U$-structures and $mathrmMU$-orientations. The nontrivial map $S^9 to mathrmBO$ certainly doesn't lift to $mathrmBU$ (since $pi_9mathrmBU = 0$), but it does become nullhomotopic in $pi_9mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Indeed, every bundle on every sphere $S^n$ for $n>1$ is $mathrmMU$-orientable because the map $pi_nmathrmBGL_1(S^0) to pi_nmathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$ is trivial for $n>1$ (since the source is torsion and the target is torsion-free when $n>1$).






        share|cite|improve this answer











        $endgroup$



        Let me expand a bit on my comments. If $E$ is a nice enough ring spectrum (e.g. an $mathbbE_2$-ring spectrum; there is also a slightly modified version that works for an $mathbbE_1$-ring) then the story of orientations work like this:



        If you have a vector bundle, or, more generally, a stable spherical fibration (of rank 0, say) on a space $X$, this will be classified by a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$ where $mathrmGL_1(S^0)$ is the space of self-equivalences of the sphere spectrum. Let $mathrmGL_1(E)$ denote the union of those components of $Omega^inftyE$ corresponding to units in $pi_0Omega^inftyE = pi_0E$. An $E$-orientation is a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0) to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. (Again, there are some slight modifications if $E$ is less nice; there are also definitions one can make without anything more than a homotopy ring structure on $E$, but that is a slightly less intuitive picture I think.)



        To summarize in a more informal way: if you have a vector bundle $V$ of rank $n$ on $X$, you can form the corresponding stable spherical fibration which, intuitively, means you associate to each point of $x$ the spectrum $Sigma^-nS^V_x$; to each path $x to y$ in $X$ you get an equivalence $Sigma^-nS^V_x to Sigma^-nS^V_y$; a homotopy of paths gives a homotopy between equivalences, etc. etc. This spells out a map $X to mathrmBGL_1(S^0)$. This is a local system of spectra which all look like $S^0$ up to equivalence. You can fiberwise smash with $E$ to get a local system of spectra that all look like $E$ up to equivalence, and that gives you the map $Xto mathrmBGL_1(E)$. An $E$-orientation is a trivialization of this local system. It's saying that, through the eyes of $E$, the bundle looks like the trivial bundle (whence the Thom isomorphism: the Thom spectrum looks like a suspension (i.e. the Thom spectrum of a trivial bundle) through the eyes of $E$).



        Now, if you want to $E$-orient all spin bundles, or spin-c bundles, etc., then you just have to do the above in the universal case, when $X$ is the classifying space for such bundles.



        So, for example, to show that every oriented vector bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, we consider the map $mathrmBSO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. This factors as $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ)$. But $mathrmGL_1(mathrmHmathbbZ) = mathbbZ/2=O(1)$, the discrete group, so its classifying space is $mathrmBO(1)$ and the sequence $mathrmBSO to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is the defining sequence for $mathrmBSO$. In other words: not only is it the case that every oriented bundle is $mathrmHmathbbZ$-oriented, but the converse also holds because a nullhomotopy of the composite $X to mathrmBO to mathrmBO(1)$ is exactly the data of an orientation.



        But this is a happy accident. For example, it is not the case that we have fiber sequences $mathrmBSpin to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmKO)$, nor do we have fiber sequences $mathrmBU to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Instead, in each instance the composite has a nullhomotopy (which is, in the first case, a difficult theorem of Atiyah-Bott-Shapiro, and, in the latter case, sort of tautological) but the first term is not the fiber of the second map.




        Some added stuff in response to the OP and Mark:



        Suppose you've got some classifying space for vector bundles with extra structure, $mathrmBG$, and you provide a nullhomotopy for $mathrmBG to mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$. This buys you a map $mathrmBG to mathrmGL_1(E)/mathrmO$ (where you should interpret this symbol carefully- really it's just notation for the fiber of $mathrmBO to mathrmBGL_1(E)$ but you can realize it as a sort of homotopy quotient if you want). The failure of this map to be an equivalence will be the failure of "$E$-orientation" to be the same as "$G$-structure".



        As an explicit example, let's consider the difference between $U$-structures and $mathrmMU$-orientations. The nontrivial map $S^9 to mathrmBO$ certainly doesn't lift to $mathrmBU$ (since $pi_9mathrmBU = 0$), but it does become nullhomotopic in $pi_9mathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$. Indeed, every bundle on every sphere $S^n$ for $n>1$ is $mathrmMU$-orientable because the map $pi_nmathrmBGL_1(S^0) to pi_nmathrmBGL_1(mathrmMU)$ is trivial for $n>1$ (since the source is torsion and the target is torsion-free when $n>1$).







        share|cite|improve this answer














        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer








        edited 5 hours ago

























        answered 7 hours ago









        Dylan WilsonDylan Wilson

        7,73274084




        7,73274084



























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