Algebraic Chern-Simons theory (Q4351045)

It is well known that the theory of secondary Chern-Simons characteristic classes associated to bundles with connection play an important role in differential geometry. In the paper under review the authors construct an algebraic counterpart of this theory. More precisely, to every rank \(N\) algebraic bundle with connection \((E,\nabla)\) on a smooth quasi-projective variety \(X\) and to every invariant polynomial \(P\) of degree \(n\geq 2\) on the Lie algebra of \(GL_N\), the authors construct classes \(w_n(E,\nabla,P)\in\Gamma(X,\Omega_X^{2n-1}/d\Omega_X^{2n-2})\) enjoying natural nice properties. An important example is when the invariant polynomial \(P\) is the polynomial \(P_n\) that maps a diagonal matrix to the \(n\)-th elementary symmetric function on its entries. Set \(w_n(E,\nabla):=w_n(E,\nabla,P_n)\). When \(k=\mathbb C\), \(w_n(E,\nabla)\) is related to the Chern class in the group \(A^n(X)\) of algebraic cycles modulo a certain adequate equivalence relation (for instance homological equivalence). Applications to questions involving finer characteristic classes for bundles with connection and to the Griffith group of algebraic classes are given.