Theory of multi-fans (Q1866567)

The theory of multi-fans was initiated in the paper of \textit{M. Masuda} [Tohôku Math. J., II. Ser. 51, 237--265 (1999; Zbl 0940.57037)] on the topology of torus manifolds. A multi-fan is a combinatorial object generalizing the notion of fan in algebraic geometry. In the paper under review, the authors develop the combinatorial theory of multi-fans so as to keep a close connection with the topology of torus manifolds. The paper is self-contained and very pleasant to read, and it should serve as a very good introduction to the subject. The paper consists of the following thirteen sections: 1. Introduction, 2. Multi-fans, 3. \(T_y\)-genus of a multi-fan, 4. Multi-polytopes, 5. Duistermaat-Heckman functions, 6. Winding numbers, 7. Ehrhart polynomials, 8. Cohomological formula for \(\#(P)\), 9. Multi-fan of a torus manifold, 10. \(T_y\)-genus of a torus manifold, 11. Equivariant index of a torus manifold, 12. Torus orbifolds, 13. Realizing multi-fans by torus orbifolds, with the appendix: Realizing of minimal multi-fans by weighted projective spaces.