Volume of representations and mapping degree (Q2001583)

This paper describes an invariant $V(M,G)$ of an oriented closed smooth $n$-manifold $M$ and a Lie group $G$. This invariant is based on the representations of the fundamental group $\pi_1(M)$ into $G$ as follows. Denote the space of representations $\pi_1(M) \xrightarrow{~\rho~} G$ by $\mathcal{R}\big(\pi_1(M),G\big)$. A representation $\rho \in \mathcal{R}\big(\pi_1(M),G\big)$ defines a flat $(G,X)$-bundle \[ M \times_\rho X \longrightarrow M, \] where $X = G/H$ and $H<G$ is a maximal compact subgroup. Suppose that $\dim(X) = n$ as well. A $G$-invariant volume form $\omega$ on $X$ exists, and defines an exterior $n$-form $\omega_X^\rho$ on $M\times_\rho X$. Since $X$ is contractible, sections $M \xrightarrow{~s~} M\times_\rho X$ exist, and \[ \mathsf{vol}_G(M,\rho) := \int_M s^*\omega_X^\rho \] is independent of $s$. The resulting function \[ \mathcal{R}\big(\pi_1(M),G\big) \xrightarrow{~\mathsf{vol}_G~} \mathbb{R} \] is locally constant. When $G$ is an affine algebraic group over $\mathbb{R}$, $\mathcal{R}\big(\pi_1(M),G\big)$ is an $\mathbb{R}$-algebraic set. Since $\mathsf{vol}_G$ is continuous, it assumes only finitely many values by [\textit{H. Whitney}, Ann. Math. (2) 66, 545--556 (1957; Zbl 0078.13403)]. Suppose that $G$ is a connected and semisimple Lie group. More generally, suppose that $G$ contains a closed cocompact connected semisimple subgroup. The main result of this paper is that $\mathsf{vol}_G$ assumes only finite many values, and some closed aspherical $n$-manifold $M$ exists for which $\mathsf{vol}_G$ is not identically zero. The supremum $\mathbf{V}(M,G)$ of $\vert\mathsf{vol}_G(\rho)\vert$ over $\mathcal{R}\big(\pi_1(M),G\big)$ lies in $[0,+\infty]$ and is called the \textit{$G$-representation volume of $M$}. The authors prove (when $G$ is semisimple) that $\mathbf{V}(M,G)$ is finite, depends only on the homotopy type of $M$, and positive for some $M$. The third main result of the paper is a topological application. Suppose that $N$ is a closed orientable manifold locally modeled on the $G$-invariant geometry of $X$. (Under these hypotheses, this is equivalent to $N = \Gamma\backslash X$, where $\Gamma < G$ is a cocompact lattice.) Then for any closed oriented $n$-manifold $M$, there can only be finitely many degrees of smooth maps $M\longrightarrow N$. Invariants of this type originated with Gromov's topological proof of Mostow's rigidity theorem for hyperbolic manifolds. A key step in this proof is Gromov's observation that the volume of a closed hyperbolic manifold is a topological invariant, its simplicial volume (introduced in [\textit{M. Gromov}, Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 56, 5--99 (1982; Zbl 0516.53046)]. As above, invariant volume on a homogeneous space defines a function on the space of representations of $\pi_1(M)$. In [Duke Math. J. 51, 529--545 (1984; Zbl 0546.57003)], \textit{R. Brooks} and the reviewer used the bi-invariant volume form on $\widetilde{\mathsf{SL}}(2,\mathbb{R})$ to define an invariant similar to the Gromov volume. This invariant has been extensively studied by the authors in a series of previous papers. The paper is very clearly written, and contains many interesting ideas. As it applies to general real Lie groups (rather than algebraic groups), some Lie theory is developed to prove the rigidity, and develop the volume invariants as one varies the Lie group up to local isomorphism. Vanishing theorems for relative Lie algebra cohomology of semisimple Lie algebras provide the main technical tool for proving local rigidity of volume invariants. The paper concludes with open questions about the existence of manifolds $M$ and Lie groups $G$ which determine nontrivial invariants and finiteness of mapping degrees.