Nonsmooth differential geometry and algebras of generalized functions (Q1883348)

Colombeau algebras are commutative differential algebras containing the vector space of distributions while at the same time displaying maximal consistency with respect to classical analysis (in the light of Laurent Schwartz's impossibility result). This nonlinear theory of generalized functions has seen a growing number of applications mostly in nonlinear PDEs and mathematical physics. Especially, applications in a geometric context (in particular, Lie symmetry group analysis of PDEs and general relativity) have triggered the development of a nonlinear distributional geometry which has matured into a complete and functorial theory during the last years. The article under review dicusses these developments by sketching the relevant constructions and results from the definition of the Colombeau algebra on manifolds (in the special variant) until the latest developments such as manifold-valued generalized functions, a notion which possesses no classical distributional analogue. The latter concept, in particular, allows for a satisfying treatment of flows of generalized vector fields and geodesics of generalized pseudo-Riemannian metrics. The article closes with a section on generalized pseudo-Riemannian geometry, generalized connections and applications to singular space-time geometries in general relativity.