The local index formula for a Hermitian manifold (Q1816525)

Let \(M\) be a compact complex manifold of real dimension \(m=2\overline {m}\) with a Hermitian metric. Let \(a_n (x, \Delta^{p,q})\) be the heat equation asymptotics of the complex Laplacian \(\Delta^{p, q}\). Then \[ \text{Tr}_{L^2} (fe^{-t \Delta^{p, q}}) \sim \sum^\infty_{n=0} t^{(n- m)/2} \int_M fa_n (x, \Delta^{p, q}) \] for any \(f\in C^\infty (M)\); the \(a_n\) vanish for \(n\) odd. Let \(\text{ag}(M)\) be the arithmetic genus and let \(a_n (x, \overline {\partial}):= \Sigma_q (-1)^q a_n (x, \Delta^{0, q})\) be the supertrace of the heat equation asymptotics. Then \(\int_M a_n (x, \overline {\partial}) dx=0\) if \(n\neq m\) while \(\int_M a_m (x, \overline {\partial}) dx= \text{ag}(M)\). The Todd polynomial \(Td_{\overline {m}}\) is the integrand of the Riemann-Roch-Hirzebruch formula. Patodi showed that if the metric on \(M\) is Kähler, then the local index theorem holds: \[ a_n (x, \overline {\partial})= 0 \text{ for }n< m, \qquad \text{and} \quad a_m (x, \overline {\partial})= Td_{\overline {m}} (x). \] Other proofs of this fact have been given by other authors subsequently. In this note, the authors show that this equation fails if the metric on \(M\) is not Kähler: Theorem. Let \(x_0\) be a point of a holomorphic manifold \(M\) with \(m\geq 4\). (1) There exists a Hermitian metric on \(M\) so that \(a_m (x_0, \overline {\partial})\neq Td_{\overline {m}} (x_0)\). (2) If \(m= 4k\), assume \(2j\geq 2k\); if \(m= 4k+2\), assume \(2j\geq 2k+2\). Then there exists a Hermitian metric on \(M\) so that \(a_{2j} (x_0, \overline {\partial})\neq 0\). (3) If \(3j< m\), then \(a_{2j} (\cdot, \overline {\partial}) =0\).