[Math] cohomology of BG, G compact Lie group

at.algebraic-topologyclassifying-spaceslie-groups

It has been stated in several papers that $H^{odd}(BG,\mathbb{R})=0$ for compact Lie group
$G$. However, I've still not found a proof of this. I believe that the proof is as follows:

–> $G$ compact $\Rightarrow$ it has a maximal toral subgroup, say $T$

–> the inclusion $T\hookrightarrow G$ induces inclusion $H^k(BG,\mathbb{R})\hookrightarrow
H^k(BT,\mathbb{R})$

–> $H^*(BT,\mathbb{R})\cong \mathbb{R}[c_1,…,c_n]$ where the $c_i$'s are Chern classes of degree $\deg(c_k)=2k$

–> Thus, any polys in $\mathbb{R}[c_1,…,c_n]$ are necessarily of even degree. Hence,
$H^{odd}(BG,\mathbb{R})=0$

Is this the correct reasoning? Could someone fill in the gaps; i.e., give a formal proof of this statement?

Best Answer

Here's the argument I know that avoids spectral sequences, based on the little-known space $G/N(T)$.

In between $T$ and $G$ is $N(T)$. Note that $EG$ "is an" $ET$ and $EN(T)$, since it's contractible and $T,N(T)$ act freely on it, so we can identify $BT, BN(T)$ with $EG/T, EG/N(T)$.

Now consider the two maps $EG/T \to EG/N(T) \to EG/G$, with fibers $W = N(T)/T$ and $G/N(T)$ respectively. The first case divides by a free action of $W$, so we can identify $H^\ast(BN(T);{\mathbb Q}) = H^\ast(BT; {\mathbb Q})^W$ by pushing and pulling. (Actually we only need to invert $|W|$, and generally less; for $G=U(n)$ it's true over $\mathbb Z$.) In particular, there is only even cohomology.

So let's look at the space $G/N(T) = (G/T)/W$. The space $G/T$ has a Bruhat decomposition, hence only even-degree cohomology (even over $\mathbb Z$), which you can prove via Morse theory on a generic adjoint orbit if you don't want to bring in algebraic geometry, and its Euler characteristic is $|W|$.

Hence the space $(G/T)/W$ has (rationally) only even-degree cohomology, and Euler characteristic $1$. So it has the rational cohomology of a point! For $G=SU(2)$ this space is ${\mathbb RP}^2$.

By a particularly trivial application of Leray-Hirsch (which I think is the only remainder of the spectral sequence argument Mark Grant gave), $H^\ast(EG/G; {\mathbb Q}) \cong H^\ast(EG/N(T); {\mathbb Q})$.

(Oops: I guess this answer isn't so different from Ralph's.)

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