Equivariant twisted real \(K\)-theory of compact Lie groups (Q1742289)

A celebrated result of \textit{D. S. Freed} [Turk. J. Math. 25, No. 1, 159--167 (2001; Zbl 0971.55006); et al., J. Am. Math. Soc. 26, No. 3, 595--644 (2013; Zbl 1273.22015); Ann. Math. (2) 174, No. 2, 947--1007 (2011; Zbl 1239.19002)] identifies the twisted complex equivariant \(K\)-theory of a compact Lie group with the Verlinde ring of its loop group. To be more precise, let us write \(G\) for the compact Lie group and \(LG\) for its loop group. Consider \(G\) as a \(G\)-space via conjugation. Then the complex equivariant K-group \(K^\zeta_G(G)\) of a certain twist \(\zeta\) is isomorphic to the Grothendieck group of positive energy representations \(R^\tau(LG)\) of a certain level \(\tau\) depending on \(\zeta\). Moreover, under this isomorphism the (Pontryagin) product on \(K^\zeta_G(G)\) corresponds to the fusion product on \(R^\tau(LG)\), whenever this is defined. The paper under review presents a generalization of this result to the context of real representations (real in the sense of \textit{M. F. Atiyah} [Q. J. Math., Oxf. II. Ser. 17, 367--386 (1966; Zbl 0146.19101)]) and real \(K\)-theory, also known as KR-theory. To lay the ground, Kasparov's approach to equivariant \(K\)-homology [\textit{G. G. Kasparov}, Invent. Math. 91, No. 1, 147--201 (1988; Zbl 0647.46053)] and existing treatments of twisted equivariant K-homology [\textit{E. Meinrenken}, Int. Math. Res. Not. 2012, No. 20, 4563--4618 (2012; Zbl 1260.53143)] and KR-homology [\textit{N. Higson} and \textit{J. Roe}, Analytic K-Homology. Oxford: Oxford University Press (2000)] are combined into a construction of twisted equivariant KR-homology. The twists are specified in terms of Real equivariant Dixmier-Douady bundles, which are shown to be classified by a Real third cohomology group that the author introduces. (This group is different from the one introduced in [\textit{E.-K. M. Moutuou}, New York J. Math. 19, 729--792 (2013; Zbl 1285.22008)].) It is moreover shown that KR-theory is oriented with respect to Real \(\mathrm{Spin}^c\)-structures, which are likewise introduced. Finally, a Real form of the result of Freed, Hopkins and Teleman is proved for compact Lie groups \(G\) which are simple and simply-connected. Two short appendices summarize background material on real representation rings and real \(K\)-theory in a concise form.