On the codimension-two cohomology of $\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$

Abstract: Borel-Serre proved that $\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$ is a virtual duality group of dimension $n \choose 2$ and the Steinberg module $\mathrm{St}_n(\mathbb{Q})$ is its dualizing module. This module is the top-dimensional homology group of the Tits building associated to $\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{Q})$. We determine the "relations among the relations" of this Steinberg module. That is, we construct an explicit partial resolution of length two of the $\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$-module $\mathrm{St}_n(\mathbb{Q})$. We use this partial resolution to show the codimension-2 rational cohomology group $H^{{n \choose 2} -2}(\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{Z});\mathbb{Q})$ of $\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$ vanishes for $n \geq 3$. This resolves a case of a conjecture of Church-Farb-Putman. We also produce lower bounds for the codimension-1 cohomology of certain congruence subgroups of $\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$.