The higher twisted index theorem for foliations (Q529374)

Consider a smoothly foliated compact manifold \((M, \mathcal F)\) with holonomy groupoid \(\mathcal G\) and a gerbe \(L\) on \(\mathcal G\). This paper proves (using the machinery of superconnections) a higher index theorem for an \(L\)-projective leafwise elliptic operator \(D\) associated with a given even-degree cocycle \(c\) in what the authors call the Dupont-Sullivan complex. The precise formula (Theorem 6.12) is: \(\text{ind}_c(D) =\langle \pi^*c,\, \widehat A(P|\mathcal G^{(0)})\,\text{Ch}_L(\mathcal E/S)\rangle\). Here \(\pi: P\to M\) is a free and proper \(\mathcal G\)-equivariant projection, the operator \(D\) acts on sections of the bundle \(\mathcal E\) over \(P\), and \(S\) denotes the spinor bundle. The set-up of this index theorem simultaneously generalizes (modulo torsion) the index theorem for elliptic operators along the leaves of a smooth foliation on a closed manifold, due to \textit{A. Connes} and \textit{G. Skandalis} [Publ. Res. Inst. Math. Sci. 20, 1139--1183 (1984; Zbl 0575.58030)], and an index theorem of \textit{V. Mathai} et al. [in: From probability to geometry II. Volume in honor of the 60th birthday of Jean-Michel Bismut. Paris: Société Mathématique de France (SMF). 255--296 (2009; Zbl 1207.19006)] for projective families of operators. The proofs are carried out in a somewhat more general framework than is needed for many of the applications, which leads to greater generality of the results than has been explained here, though the reader is warned that this makes the paper slightly more complicated that it otherwise would be.