Generalized orbifold Euler characteristics of symmetric orbifolds and covering spaces (Q1408566)

Let \(G\) be a finite group and \(M\) be a \(G\)-manifold. The author introduces the concept of generalized orbifold invariants of \(M/G\) associated to an arbitrary group \( \Gamma \), an arbitrary \( \Gamma \)-set, and an arbitrary covering space of a connected manifold \( \Sigma \) whose fundamental group is \( \Gamma \). These invariants have a natural and simple geometric origin in the context of locally constant \(G\)-equivariant maps from \(G\)-principal bundles over covering spaces of \( \Sigma \) to the \(G\)-manifold \(M\). Generating functions of orbifold Euler characteristic of symmetric products of orbifolds associated to arbitrary surface groups are calculated, in both an exponential form and in an infinite product form. Geometrically, each factor of this infinite product corresponds to an isomorphism class of a connected covering space of a manifold \( \Sigma\). For the calculation, a structure theorem of the centralizer of homomorphisms into wreath products described in terms of automorphism groups of \( \Gamma \)-equivariant \(G\)-principal bundles over finite \( \Gamma \)-sets is mainly used. As corollaries, some identities in combinatorial group theory are obtained. As a byproduct, a simple formula which calculates the number of conjugacy classes of subgroups of given index in any group is proved. This study is motivated by orbifold conformal field theory.