The Becker-Gottlieb transfer is not functorial: An example using $C_\infty$-algebras

Abstract

We prove that the Becker-Gottlieb transfer is not functorial, even on rational cohomology. More precisely, for any even $n \ge 4$, we construct a fibration $f \colon X \to S^{n+1}$ with fiber $S^2 \vee S^n$, and an oriented $S^1$-bundle $g \colon Y \to X$ such that the transfer of $f \circ g$ is non-trivial on rational cohomology. Since the transfer of an oriented $S^1$-bundle vanishes, this implies that the transfer of $f \circ g$ and the composite of the transfers of $f$ and $g$ induce different maps on rational cohomology and are thus not homotopic. The proof that the transfer of $f \circ g$ is non-trivial uses the rational models for the Becker--Gottlieb and THH transfers obtained in previous work of the authors. In the appendix, we provide a second, more involved, proof that relies on constructing explicit $C_\infty$-algebra models for odd spherical fibrations (including circle bundles), which might be of independent interest. Concurrently, another counterexample (of very different flavor) was found by Georg Lehner, Cary Malkiewich, and the first author.