Chern-Weil construction for twisted \(K\)-theory (Q5962383)

Let \(\mathcal{H}\) be a separable complex infinite-dimensional Hilbert space and \(\mathrm{Fred}(\mathcal{H})\) be the space of Fredholm operators on \(\mathcal{H}\) (endowed with the norm topology). Then \(\mathrm{Fred}(\mathcal{H})\) is a representing space for complex \(K\)-theory, which means that \(K(X)=[X, \mathrm{Fred}(\mathcal{H})]\) for any topological space \(X\). Twisted \(K\)-theory is a variant of ordinary \(K\)-theory, where the twist is given by an integral \(3\)-dimensional cohomology class (a modern reference for this topic is \textit{M. Atiyah} and \textit{G. Segal} [Ukr. Math. Bull. 1, No.~3, 291--334 (2004; Zbl 1151.55301)]). Let us recall briefly the definition. The infinite projective unitary group \(\mathbb{P}U(\mathcal{H})\) is a model for the Eilenberg-MacLane space \(K(\mathbb{Z}, 2)\), so that for any topological space \(X\), \(H^3(X, \mathbb{Z})\) classifies isomorphism classes of \(\mathbb{P}U(\mathcal{H})\)-torsors on \(X\). For any class \(\theta\) in \(H^3(X, \mathbb{Z})\), if \(P_{\theta}\) is a \(\mathbb{P}U(\mathcal{H})\)-torsor associated with \(\theta\), then the twisted \(K\)-theory group \(K_{\theta}(X)\) is the set of homotopy classes of \(\mathbb{P}U(\mathcal{H})\)-equivariant continuous maps from \(P_{\theta}\) to \(\mathrm{Fred}(\mathcal{H})\). Although the construction of twisted \(K\)-theory uses infinite-dimensional geometric objects, finite-dimensional techniques can be used for torsion classes in \(H^3(X, \mathbb{Z})\): indeed, \(H^3(X, \mathbb{Z})^{\mathrm{tors}}\) is isomorphic by a result of Serre to the topological Brauer group consisting of equivalence classes of sheaves of Azumaya algebras [cf. Dix exposés sur la cohomologie des schémas. Advanced Studies in Pure Mathematics. Vol. 3. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing Company; Paris: Masson et Cie (1968; Zbl 0192.57801), exposé IV)]. The main goal of the paper is to develop a finite-dimensional approach of twisted \(K\)-theory. For this purpose, the authors introduce on any compact differentiable manifold endowed with a gerbe the notion of twisted vectorial bundle. Roughly speaking, a twisted vectorial bundle on \((X, \mathcal{G})\) is a family of finite-dimensional Hermitian vector bundles (each endowed with an hermitian endomorphism) on open sets of a covering \((U_{\alpha})_{\alpha}\) of \(X\) for which the gerbe \(\mathcal{G}\) can be trivialized, as well as gluing data on the intersections \(U_{\alpha \beta}\). Then the twisted \(K\)-group \(K_{\mathcal{G}}(X)\) is defined as the homotopy classes of twisted vectorial bundles with respect to the gerbe \(\mathcal{G}\). The first result of the paper is that for any \(\theta\) in \(H^3(X, \mathbb{Z})\), if \(\mathcal{G}_{\theta}\) is a unitary gerbe associated with the \(\mathbb{P}U(\mathcal{H})\)-torsor \(P_{\theta},\) then \(K_{\mathcal{G}_{\theta}}(X)\) and \(K_{\theta}(X)\) are isomorphic. Thus, twisted vectorial bundles can be used in order to compute twisted \(K\)-theory, even for non-torsion cohomology classes. This being achieved, the purpose of the article is to define explicit representatives of characteristic classes associated with elements of twisted \(K\)-theory, with values in twisted de Rham cohomology. Following the strategy of Chern-Weil theory, the authors define connections on twisted vectorial bundles, and use them produce representatives of the Chern character of any twisted vectorial vector bundle. These elements lie in the twisted Čhech--de Rham complex associated with the covering, the twist being given by a three form lifting the cohomology class \(\theta\). Similar formulae are given for the Chern classes defined by \textit{M. Atiyah} and \textit{G. Segal} [Nankai Tracts in Mathematics 11, 5--43 (2006; Zbl 1138.19003)].