The order of curvature operators on loop groups (Q1034796)

Let \(X\) be a loop space on a Lie group (either free or based) depending on a Sobolev space parameter \(s\) as defined by \textit{D. S. Freed} [J. Differ. Geom. 28, No.~2, 223--276 (1988; Zbl 0619.58003)]. There is a natural family of metrics which determine Levi-Civita connections and curvature operators taking values in pseudo-differential operators. One knows that the curvature operator is smoothing when \(s=1\) and that the curvature operator is at most \(\max(-1,-2s)\) if \(s>1/2\). The authors show that the order of the curvature operator is at most \(-2\) for \(s>1\) and that this bound is sharp. Thus, the curvature operator is of trace class for \(s>1\). The author also gives an example where the order of the curvature operator evaluated on specific vector fields is exactly \(-2s\) for \(1/2<s<1\). This gives precise information concerning the possible order of the curvature operator.