Prequantization and Lie brackets (Q2491048)

The present paper begins by reviewing the relationship between the classical (Weil-Kostant) integrality condition for the cohomology class of a closed 2-form \(\omega\) (not necessarily symplectic, i.e., non-degenerate) stemming from prequantization theory and the integrability of a certain Lie algebroid associated to \(\omega\), and presents a path space construction of the prequantizing bundle. Subsequently, everything is subsumed by a theory concerning Lie groupoids endowed with multiplicative 2-forms. The problem of their prequantization is solved (Theorem 5.1). Especially intriguing and worth further pursuit is the relationship with gerbes [cf. \textit{J.-L. Brylinski}, Loop Spaces, Characteristic Classes and Geometric Quantization, Birkhäuser, Boston (1993; Zbl 0823.55002)], pointed out by the author. The paper is quite readable, fairly self-contained and carefully related to the existing literature.