An index theorem on foliated flat bundles (Q1379510)

The paper presents an alternative approach to a problem treated also by \textit{V. Nistor} [J. Funct. Anal. 141, 421-434 (1996; Zbl 0868.58076)]. A cohomological formula is given for the longitudinal index of leafwise elliptic operators on foliated flat bundles \(W=\widetilde M\times_\Gamma V\to M\). It is based on the well-known work of \textit{R. G. Douglas, S. Hurder} and \textit{J. Kaminker} [Invent. Math. 103, 101-179 (1991; Zbl 0721.58049)] and gives the index in form of a pairing of the Kasparov-product \([D_W]=[{\mathcal V}]\otimes [D]\) with a cyclic cocycle \(\tau\). Here the \(KK\)-class of the lifted operator \(D_W\) depends only on the class of \(D\) and on the covering structure induced by the action of \(\Gamma\) on \(V\). The cyclic cocycle is associated with a closed \(\Gamma\)-invariant form on \(V\) and a group cocycle for \(\Gamma\).