On the geometric quantization of contact manifolds (Q644223)

Let \((M, E)\) be a compact manifold endowed with a contact structure, and \(G\) a compact Lie group acting transversely to \(E\). By analogy with the symplectic setting, Fitzpatrick defines contact versions of the prequantum line bundle and polarization, leading to a (virtual) representation of \(G\) inside the kernel of a \(G\)-transversely elliptic operator \(D_b\) introduced in [\textit{S.~Fitzpatrick}, Math. Res. Lett. 16, No. 2--3, 375--394 (2009; Zbl 1194.58024)]. Such a representation is interpreted as a contact quantization of the contact manifold \(M\). The character of this representation is the equivariant index of \(D_b\) computed by the author in [loc. cit].