The Ricci curvature of finite dimensional approximations to loop and path groups (Q1028271)

Let \({\mathcal W}(G)\) denote the path group and \({\mathcal L}(G)\) the associated loop group of a connected real unimodular Lie group \(G\) equipped with a left-invariant Riemannian metric. The author studies the Ricci curvature of certain finite dimensional approximations to these groups based on partitions of the interval \([0,1]\) in the paths. In the main theorem it is shown that the Ricci curvatures of the finite dimensional approximations are bounded below independent of the partition if and only if \(G\) is of compact type with an \(Ad\)-invariant metric. The primary motivation for the present study are attempts to prove quasi-invariance, with respect to translations by finite energy paths, of certain heat kernel measures constructed in a joint paper with \textit{B. K. Diver} [Infin. Dimens. Anal. Quantum Probab. Relat. Top. 11, No.~2, 135--156 (2008; Zbl 1154.58019)].