Infinite-dimensional manifolds as ringed spaces (Q520749)

Manifold structures in finite dimensions, whether smooth, real- or complex-analytic, are most commonly defined using charts (local coordinate systems) collected in atlases of compatible charts. Another standard way of defining a smooth \(n\)-dimensional manifold \(M\) is achieved by a sheaf-theoretical approach where \(M\) is defined as a locally ringed space \((M_0,\mathcal{O}_M)\) that is locally isomorphic to the locally ringed space \(({\mathbb R}^n,\mathcal{C}_{{\mathbb R}^n}^{\infty})\). The sheaf-theoretical approach is particularly useful when defining singular generalizations of manifolds like varieties or schemes, or when dealing with supermanifolds. In the present paper, the authors analyze the possibilities of defining infinite-dimensional manifolds as ringed spaces. More precisely, they consider three definitions of manifolds modelled on locally convex spaces, namely: (i) in terms of charts and atlases, (ii) in terms of ringed spaces, and (iii) in terms of functored spaces, as introduced by \textit{A. Douady} [Ann. Inst. Fourier 16, No. 1, 1--95 (1966; Zbl 0146.31103)]. The main result gained by the authors work is the useful knowledge, that for large classes of locally convex model spaces, including among others Fréchet spaces and duals of Fréchet-Schwartz spaces, the three definitions are actually equivalent. The paper is very carefully written.