On higher scissors congruence

Abstract

We solve the higher version of Hilbert's Third Problem for one-dimensional geometries, and in higher dimensions we reduce the problem to a computation in group homology. Our central result concerns the scissors congruence $K$-theory spectrum of Zakharevich, whose homotopy groups are the correct higher version of the classical scissors congruence groups. We prove that this spectrum is a Thom spectrum, whose base space is the homotopy orbit space of a Tits complex. The relevant computations quickly follow from this more foundational result.

v3: Expanded introduction and changed title to be more accessible to non-homotopy theorists. The original title was "Scissors congruence $K$-theory is a Thom spectrum."