On characteristic numbers of $24$ dimensional String manifolds

Abstract

In this paper, we study the Pontryagin numbers of $24$ dimensional String manifolds. In particular, we find representatives of an integral basis of the String cobrodism group at dimension $24$, based on the work of Mahowald-Hopkins \cite{MH02}, Borel-Hirzebruch \cite{BH58} and Wall \cite{Wall62}. This has immediate applications on the divisibility of various characteristic numbers of the manifolds. In particular, we establish the $2$-primary divisibilities of the signature and of the modified signature coupling with the integral Wu class of Hopkins-Singer \cite{HS05}, and also the $3$-primary divisibility of the twisted signature. Our results provide potential clues to understand a question of Teichner.