• Kyungpook Mathematical Journal
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.373-411
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• 2023

Gompf proposed a conjecture on Cappell-Shaneson matrices whose affirmative answer implies that all Cappell-Shaneson homotopy 4-spheres are diffeomorphic to the standard 4-sphere. We study Gompf conjecture on Cappell-Shaneson matrices using various algebraic number theoretic techniques. We find a hidden symmetry between trace n Cappell-Shaneson matrices and trace 5 - n Cappell-Shaneson matrices which was suggested by Gompf experimentally. Using this symmetry, we prove that Gompf conjecture for the trace n case is equivalent to the trace 5 - n case. We confirm Gompf conjecture for the special cases that -64 ≤ trace ≤ 69 and corresponding Cappell-Shaneson homotopy 4-spheres are diffeomorphic to the standard 4-sphere. We also give a new infinite family of Cappell-Shaneson spheres which are diffeomorphic to the standard 4-sphere.