Remarks on the cohomology of finite fundamental groups of 3-manifolds

Abstract

Computations based on explicit 4-periodic resolutions are given for the cohomology of the finite groups G known to act freely on S^3, as well as the cohomology rings of the associated 3-manifolds (spherical space forms) M = S^3/G. Chain approximations to the diagonal are constructed, and explicit contracting homotopies also constructed for the cases G is a generalized quaternion group, the binary tetrahedral group, or the binary octahedral group. Some applications are briefly discussed.