Homotopy invariance of cohomology and signature of a Riemannian foliation (Q2272962)

The main result in this work is the construction of a transversal signature form for any regular Riemannian foliation and the proof of its homotopy invariance. In particular, this signature form lives in the cohomology of basic twisted forms, although twistedness can be removed when the foliation is taut. It does not depend on the choice of Riemannian metric for the foliation. Moreover, it is shown that basic Lichnerowicz comology is homotopy invariant, as well as the Alvarez class of a Riemannian foliation.