Separating topology and number theory in the Atiyah-Singer \(g\)-signature formula (Q1173828)

The \(G\)-index theorem of Atiyah and Singer has long been used as a machine for passing from the geometry of a manifold with a finite group action to formulas in number theory. This paper studies in more depth the situation for a cyclic group action, analyzing the information which goes into the right-hand side of the \(G\)-signature formula, and deriving integrality results where the signature theorem only predicts rational numbers. The authors begin by defining an abstract \(G\)-signature for an equivariant unimodular form on a finitely generated abelian group, which lies in a particular subring of the integers of a cyclotomic field. They then study the fixed point contribution in the signature theorem and show, using equivariant unitary bordism, that the essential terms are integers. For applications, some combinatorial results on the monomials occurring in the signature formula are required, and following that results are deduced about the image of the \(G\)-signature map, generalizing results of \textit{C. Kosniowski} [Math Z. 149, 121-130 (1976; Zbl 0315.57022)]. There are also explicit results concerning integrality modulo powers of 2, generalizing another paper [\textit{J. P. Alexander}, \textit{G. Hamrick} and \textit{J. W. Vick}, Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 57, 327-331 (1976; Zbl 0357.57008)].