On uniqueness of differential structures on orbifolds (Q2452037)

Previous work of the author [Topology Appl. 159, No. 5, 1489--1496 (2012; Zbl 1245.57025)], showed that every \(C^r\) orbifold, \(1\leq r\leq\infty\), has a compatible \(C^s\) differential structure for each \(s\), \(r<s\leq\omega\). In this article, it is shown that if two reduced (local group actions are effective) \(C^r\) orbifolds \((2\leq r\leq\omega)\), are \(C^2\) diffeomorphic, then they are \(C^r\) diffeomorphic. From this, it follows that compatible \(C^s\) differential structures on reduced \(C^r\) orbifolds \((2\leq r<s\leq\omega)\) are unique up to diffeomorphism. The requirement of restricting to the case of reduced orbifolds is explained, and thus the author is able to use the frame bundle representation for reduced orbifolds in conjunction with the approximation results of the author and \textit{S. Illman} [Math. Ann. 316, No. 1, 169--183 (2000; Zbl 0945.57016)].