Real K-theory is a branch of algebraic K-theory that deals with vector bundles and their associated topological properties over real fields. It extends classical K-theory by incorporating the notion of real structures, which is essential for understanding stable isomorphism classes of real vector bundles. This theory is crucial for examining Hermitian K-theory, as it provides a framework to analyze how real vector bundles behave under various transformations and how they relate to different geometric structures.
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