Geometry of manifolds modeled on Hilbert modules (Q2397255)

Let \(A\) be a \(C^\ast\)-algebra. A space \(M\) is said to be a smooth \(A\)-manifold if it is locally modeled on finitely generated projective \(C^\ast\)-modules over \(A\) (i.e., direct summands of the free module \(A^n\)). \(A\)-maps between \(A\)-modules are defined to be smooth maps whose differentials are \(A\)-module maps (the transition maps between charts are not required to be \(A\)-maps). These maps are characterized. Derivations, differentiable forms and the Lie derivative are defined, as well as the Poisson bracket of a symplectic form (which is shown to be a derivation). \(A\)-bundles are considered: the fibers are also summands of \(A^n\). The \(A\)-valued inner product available at the tangent spaces is used to identify the Levi-Civita connection of a given metric on an \(A\)-bundle. Differential operators on \(A\)-manifolds are defined. Examples are given, involving mostly algebras of continuous functions or (finite) algebras of matrices.