From Handwiki In algebraic topology, a complex-orientable cohomology theory is a multiplicative cohomology theory E such that the restriction map [math]\displaystyle{ E^2(\mathbb{C}\mathbf{P}^\infty) \to E^2(\mathbb{C}\mathbf{P}^1) }[/math] is surjective. An element of [math]\displaystyle{ E^2(\mathbb{C}\mathbf{P}^\infty) }[/math] that restricts to the canonical generator of the reduced theory [math]\displaystyle{ \widetilde{E}^2(\mathbb{C}\mathbf{P}^1) }[/math] is called a complex orientation. The notion is central to Quillen's work relating cohomology to formal group laws.[citation needed] If E is an even-graded theory meaning [math]\displaystyle{ \pi_3 E = \pi_5 E = \cdots }[/math], then E is complex-orientable. This follows from the AtiyahâHirzebruch spectral sequence.
Examples:
A complex orientation, call it t, gives rise to a formal group law as follows: let m be the multiplication
where [math]\displaystyle{ [x] }[/math] denotes a line passing through x in the underlying vector space [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbb{C}[t] }[/math] of [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbb{C}\mathbf{P}^\infty }[/math]. This is the map classifying the tensor product of the universal line bundle over [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbb{C}\mathbf{P}^\infty }[/math]. Viewing
let [math]\displaystyle{ f = m^*(t) }[/math] be the pullback of t along m. It lives in
and one can show, using properties of the tensor product of line bundles, it is a formal group law (e.g., satisfies associativity).
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Categories: [Algebraic topology] [Cohomology theories]