Reidemeister torsion and the \(K\)-theory of von Neumann algebras (Q1189260)

The authors introduce and study a new topological-type invariant for cocompact properly discontinuous actions of discrete groups of isometries on Riemannian manifolds. They define the algebraic \(K\)-groups of a finite von Neumann algebra and compute them. They introduce Reidemeister-von Neumann torsion (RNt) for finite proper \(\Gamma\)-\(CW\)-complexes for a discrete group \(\Gamma\), state basic properties like sum and product formulas, and relate RNt to Whitehead torsion. RNt of a space carrying appropriate torus actions is also computed. In the case of a free Abelian fundamental group this torsion invariant is related to the Alexander torsion. RNt for Riemannian manifolds with a cocompact properly discontinuous action of a discrete group by isometries is also defined and related to classical Reidemeister torsion and to analytic torsion. The basic facts about homology sequences and chain contractions for chain complexes ove a ring to chain complexes over a finite von Neumann algebra with a finite normal and faithful trace are presented. Finally, RNt for chain complexes and torsion for weak homology equivalences are introduced and studied. Properties like sum formula, product formula, composition formula are verified.