A note on the index bundle over the moduli space of monopoles (Q1894889)

Let \(M_k\) denote the moduli space of framed monopoles of charges \(k\) over \(\mathbb{R}^3\) with structure group SU(2). \textit{S. K. Donaldson} [Commun. Math. Phys. 96, 387-407 (1984; Zbl 0603.58042)] defined an explicit diffeomorphism between \(M_k\) and the space of all based rational maps of degree \(k\) from \(S^2\) to itself, denoted by \(\text{Rat}_k\). Consider \((A, \varphi)\) a monopole of charge \(k\) (consisting in an SU(2) connection \(A\) and an su(2) Higgs field \(\varphi\)). We may form the coupled Dirac operator \(D\) acting on sections of the trivial spinor bundle over \(\mathbb{R}^3\) with fiber \(\mathbb{C}^2\otimes\mathbb{C}^2\), and depending on the monopole. The space of \(L^2\)-solutions of the equation \(D\psi= 0\) (with some boundary conditions) is of dimension \(k\). Now the gauge group acts on the spinor bundle as well as on the Dirac operators (by conjugation) so that by taking the quotient a complex vector bundle over \(M_k\) is obtained. This has a real structure hence structural group \(O(k)\) and is called the index bundle. The main result of this paper is an explicit description of the push-out of the index bundle over \(\text{Rat}_k\). Over the subspace of rational maps with distinct poles \(\text{Rat}^0_k\) this bundle has a reduction to the finite subgroup \(O(k)\) consisting in signed permutations.