The zero-in-the-spectrum question (Q1355394)

Let \(M\) be a complete connected oriented Riemannian manifold. Let \(\Delta_p\) be the Laplace-Beltrami operator acting on the space of smooth \(L^2\) \(p\)-forms on \(M\). The author studies the question ``is zero always in the spectrum of \(\Delta_p\) for some \(p\).'' The problem is partly topological and partly geometrical in nature. The paper is divided into six sections: (1) Introduction, (2) Definition of \(L^2\) cohomology, (3) General properties of \(L^2\) cohomology, (4) Very low dimensions, (4.1) One dimension and, (4.2) Two dimensions, (5) Universal covers, (5.1) Big and small groups, (5.2) Two and three dimensions, (5.3) Four dimensions, (5.4) More dimensions, (6) Topologically tame manifolds. This expository article contains many complete proofs and is a lovely survey of the subject.