Analytic torsion of a bounded generalized cone (Q1048086)

The author studies the analytic torsion for a Riemannian manifold with conical singularities. The model case is given by a bounded generalized cone \(M=(0,1]\times N\) where \(N\) denotes a Riemannian manifold with metric \(g^N\) and the metric on \(M\) has the form \(g^M=dx^2\oplus x^2g^N\). By providing a method of computing the analytic torsion of \(M\), an open problem raised in [\textit{M. Lesch}, Math. Nachr. 194, 139--170 (1998; Zbl 0924.58107)] is solved. As important ingredients of the proof an approach of \textit{M. Spreafico} [J. Geom. Phys. 54, No.~3, 355--371 (2005; Zbl 1072.58025)] and an observation of symmetry in the de Rham complex in the unpublished note [\textit{M. Lesch}, The analytic torsion of the model cone. Columbia University (1994)] are used. In contrast to the case of a closed manifold it is known that the spectral zeta function \(\zeta(s,\Delta_k^{\text{rel}})\) of the Laplacian \(\Delta_k^{\text{rel}}\) with relative or absolute boundary conditions acting on \(k\)-forms over the bounded generalized cone \(M\) may have a simple pole at \(s=0\). However, the alternating sum \(T(M,s)=\frac{1}{2}\sum_{k=0}^m(-1)^k\cdot k\cdot \zeta(s,\Delta_k^{\text{rel}})\) is holomorphic for \(s\) in a zero neighbourhood and can be used to define the analytic torsion \(T^{\text{rel}}(M)=\exp\{ T^{\prime}(M,s=0)\}\). In the final section of the paper the formulas for the analytic torsion of \(M\) are specialized to the cases where \(M\) is of dimension two or three. Moreover, the analytic torsion of a cone over \(\mathbb{S}^1\) with a free length and angle parameter is obtained. Related results on the analytic torsion of cones over spheres have been announced in [\textit{L. Hartmann} and \textit{M. Spreafico}, J. Math. Pures Appl. (9) 93, No.~4, 408--435 (2010; Zbl 1222.58026)] and [\textit{T. de Melo, L. Hartmann} and \textit{M. Spreafico}, Boll. Unione Mat. Ital. (9) 2, No.~2, 529--533 (2009; Zbl 1181.58025)].