Invariants of Lie algebroids (Q1410602)

Lie algebroids provide the appropriate setting for developing the differential geometry of singular geometric structures. The study of global properties of Lie algebroids is therefore a way of approaching the global theory of singular geometric structures. In this nice survey several constructions of Lie algebroid invariants are described which have been discovered recently and play an important role in understanding the global behaviour of singular geometric structures. In this overview the fundamental groupoid of a Lie algebroid is studied which was introduced in [\textit{M. Crainic} and \textit{R. L. Fernandes}, Ann. Math. 157, 575-620 (2003)] for the purpose of integrating Lie algebroids to Lie groupoids, and which is inspired by the construction of the fundamental groupoid of a manifold. The author also considered non-linear and linear holonomy in the spirit of foliation theory defined in [\textit{R. L. Fernandes}, Adv. Math. 170, 119-179 (2002; Zbl 1007.22007)] for Lie algebroids. These investigations lead us naturally to primary and secondary characteristic classes for Lie algebroids [\textit{M. Crainic}, Differentiable and algebroid cohomology, Van Est isomorphisms and characteristic classes, Comm. Math. Helv. (to appear); \textit{J. Kubarski}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 348, 2151-2167 (1996; Zbl 0858.22009)]. K-theory [studied in: \textit{V. Ginzburg}, J. Symplectic Geom. 1, 121-169 (2001; Zbl 1032.53072)] is the last invariant discussed. It may be considered as an extension of ordinary topological K-theory.