On the Cappell-Lee-Miller gluing theorem. (Q1858316)

Consider a compact Riemann manifold \(M_r\) of long neck \(r\) formed from two cylindrical manifolds \(M_1(\infty), M_2(\infty)\). Let \(D_r\) be a Dirac type operator on \(M_r\), obtained by gluing together two similar Dirac operators on \(M_i(\infty)\). It is an important problem in gauge theory to analyze the eigenspaces of \(D_r\) that correspond to small eigenvalues. When the Dirac operators on \(M_i(\infty)\) are translation invariant, this was solved by \textit{T. Yoshida} [Ann. Math. (2) 134, 277--323 (1991; Zbl 0748.57002) and \textit{S. Cappell} et al [Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 49, 825--866 (1996; Zbl 0871.58080)]. In the current paper, the author allows a small distortion of the translation invariant operators on \(M_i(\infty)\). The main results are stated in terms of the novel concepts of asymptotic maps and asymptotic exact sequences that are introduced in the paper for the first time. These new concepts make the gluing arguments in the standard theory more transparent. There are a number of immediate applications at the end the paper.