Higher topological Hochschild homology of periodic complex K-theory

TL;DR

This paper computes the topological Hochschild homology of periodic complex K-theory, revealing it as a square-zero extension and describing its iterated forms and related homology theories.

Contribution

It provides explicit descriptions of THH(KU) and its iterates as commutative KU-algebras, including new structural insights and homology computations.

Findings

THH(KU) is equivalent to a square-zero extension of KU.

Iterated THH(KU) relates to free commutative KU-algebras on rational modules.

Topological Andre-Quillen homology of KU is characterized.

Abstract

We describe the topological Hochschild homology of the periodic complex $K$-theory spectrum, $THH(KU)$, as a commutative $KU$-algebra: it is equivalent to $KU[K(\mathbb{Z},3)]$ and to $F(\Sigma KU_{\mathbb{Q}})$, where $F$ is the free commutative $KU$-algebra functor on a $KU$-module. Moreover, $F(\Sigma KU_{\mathbb{Q}})\simeq KU \vee \Sigma KU_{\mathbb{Q}}$, a square-zero extension. In order to prove these results, we first establish that topological Hochschild homology commutes, as an algebra, with localization at an element. Then, we prove that $THH^n(KU)$, the $n$-fold iteration of $THH(KU)$, i.e. $T^n\otimes KU$, is equivalent to $KU[G]$ where $G$ is a certain product of integral Eilenberg-Mac Lane spaces, and to a free commutative $KU$-algebra on a rational $KU$-module. We prove that $S^n \otimes KU$ is equivalent to $KU[K(\mathbb{Z},n+2)]$ and to $F(\Sigma^n KU_{\mathbb{Q}})$. We describe the topological Andr\'e-Quillen homology of $KU$.