Gaps in the differential forms spectrum on cyclic coverings (Q1014228)

Let \(M\) be a compact manifold of dimension \(n+1\) and let \(\Sigma\) be a compact oriented hypersurface in \(M\) which does not disconnect \(M\). Consider the associated cyclic covering \(Z\rightarrow \bar M\rightarrow M\). Assume the metric on \(\bar M\) to be complete. The authors study spectral properties of the Hodge-de Rham operator \(\Delta_p\) on \(p\) forms in this setting. Previous work by \textit{G. Carron} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 65, No. 3, 757--768 (2002; Zbl 1027.58023)] established: Theorem A. If \(n\equiv0\) mod \(4\) and if \(\text{sign}(\Sigma)\neq0\), then \(\text{spec}(\Delta_0^{\bar M})=[0,\infty)\). The authors in the present paper give a related result: Theorem B. (a) If \(p\neq{n\over2}\) and if \(p\neq {n\over2}+1\), then there is a family of periodic Riemannian metrics \(g_\varepsilon\) on \(\bar M\) such that \(\text{Spec}(\Delta_p^{\bar M})\) has \(N_\varepsilon\) gaps where \(\lim_{\varepsilon\rightarrow0}N_\varepsilon=\infty\). (b) If \(p={n\over2}\) or \(p={n\over2}+1\), the same conclusion holds provided that \(H^{n\over2}(\Sigma;\mathbb R)=0\). The authors present results in Theorem C of the paper concerning the limiting spectrum on \(M\) for certain families of metrics \(g_\varepsilon\). They also give an extension of Theorem B to the Dirac operator. Let \(\alpha\in Z_2\) be the spin cobordism invariant. Theorem D. Assume \(M\) is spin. There is a family \(g_\varepsilon\) of periodic Riemannian metrics on \(\bar M\) whose Dirac operator has a large number of gaps in its spectrum if and only if \(\hat A(\Sigma)=0\) in the cases \(n=4k\) or \(\alpha(\Sigma)=0\) in the case \(n=8k+1\) or \(n=8k+2\).