Rational Betti numbers of configuration spaces (Q1971121)

The rational Betti numbers of the configuration space \(C_k(M)\) of \(k\) points in an even-dimensional orientable closed manifold \(M\) are computed and it is proved that these numbers depend only on the rational cohomology algebra of the manifold. A formula for the Euler-Poincaré characteristic of \(C_k(M)\) in terms only of \(k\) and of the Euler-Poincaré characteristic of \(M\) is also given.