Working at the prime p = 3, we construct a stably finite spectrum, Z, with a v_2^1 self map f. Further, both Ext_A(H*(Z),Z_3) and Ext_A(H*(Z),H*(Z)) have a vanishing line of slope 1/16 in (t-s,s) coordinates, and the map f is represented by an element a of Ext where multiplication by a is parallel to the vanishing line. To accomplish this construction, we prove a result about the connection between particular self maps of spectra and their effect on the Margolis homology of related modules over the Steenrod Algebra.

vii, 54 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / We investigate the existence of a stable homotopy category (SHC) associated to the category of p -complete abelian groups [Special characters omitted]. First we examine [Special characters omitted] and prove [Special characters omitted] satisfies all but one of the axioms of an abelian category. The connections between an SHC and homology functors are then exploited to draw conclusions about possible SHC structures for [Special characters omitted]. In particular, let [Special characters omitted] denote the category whose objects are chain complexes of [Special characters omitted] and morphisms are chain homotopy classes of maps. We show that any homology functor from any subcategory of [Special characters omitted] containing the p-adic integers and satisfying the axioms of an SHC will not agree with standard homology on free, finitely generated (as modules over the p -adic integers) chain complexes. Explicit examples of common functors are included to highlight troubles that arrise when working with [Special characters omitted]. We make some first attempts at classifying small objects in [Special characters omitted]. / Committee in charge: Hal Sadofsky, Chairperson, Mathematics; Boris Botvinnik, Member, Mathematics; Daniel Dugger, Member, Mathematics; Sergey Yuzvinsky, Member, Mathematics; Elizabeth Reis, Outside Member, Womens and Gender Studies

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We give a definition of the scanning map for configuration spaces that is equivariant under the action of the diffeomorphism group of the underlying manifold. We use this to extend the Bödigheimer-Madsen result for the stable splittings of the Borel constructions of certain mapping spaces from compact Lie group actions to all smooth actions. Moreover, we construct a stable splitting of configuration spaces which is equivariant under smooth group actions, completing a zig-zag of equivariant stable homotopy equivalences between mapping spaces and certain wedge sums of spaces. Finally we generalise these results to configuration spaces with twisted labels (labels in a fibre bundle subject to certain conditions) and extend the Bödigheimer-Madsen result to more mapping spaces.

It is well known that the group completion of the classifying space of the free permutative category is Ω∞ S∞, i.e. stable homotopy of the 0-sphere. Quillen´s S-1S construction can be applied to the free permutative category, which has a pictorial description by pseudo-tangles, and this leads to another pictorial descripted category G which has the classifying space Ω∞ S∞. With help of this model G we can give generators for the homotopy groups of Ω∞ S∞ for i=0,1,2. As a further application, we compute the fundamental group of the free permutative category with duality and show that the association of a duality structure on the categorial level does not lead to a group completion on the level of classifying spaces.