A new basis for the complex $K$-theory cooperations algebra

Abstract

A classical theorem of Adams, Harris, and Switzer states that the 0th grading of complex $K$-theory cooperations, $KU_0ku$ is isomorphic to the space of numerical polynomials. The space of numerical polynomials has a basis provided by the binomial coefficient polynomials, which gives a basis of $KU_0ku$. In this paper, we produce a new $p$-local basis for $KU_0ku_{(p)}$ using the Adams splitting. This basis is established by using well known formulas for the Hazewinkel generators. For $p=2$, we show that this new basis coincides with the classical basis modulo higher Adams filtration.