Gradients for \(SL(q)\)-foliations (Q644227)

The paper under review explores a few aspects of ``gradients'' on certain foliations in the following sense: Let \(\xi\) be a vector bundle over a manifold \(M\) and \(\tilde\xi=TM^*\otimes \xi\), and denote by the same symbols the spaces of smooth sections on such bundles. Let \(\nabla:\xi\to\tilde\xi\) be a connection and \(G\) a Lie group that acts on both \(TM^*\) and \(\xi\). Consider splittings \(\xi=\bigoplus_\alpha \xi_\alpha\) and \(\tilde\xi=\bigoplus_\beta \tilde\xi_\beta\) on \(G\)-invariant irreducible subspaces. Then a ``\(G\)-gradient'' is a first-order linear differential operator of the form \[ \nabla^{\alpha\beta}=\tilde\pi_\beta\circ\nabla\circ i_\alpha, \] where \(\tilde\pi_\beta:\tilde\xi\to\tilde\xi_\beta\) and \(i_\alpha:\xi_\alpha\to\xi\) are the natural projection and inclusion, respectively. The main object of study is the above notion adapted to \(SL(q)\)-foliations (which are essentially foliations given locally by a submersion that is transversally volume preserving). The authors prove that \(O(n)\)-gradients can be restricted to such foliations preserving relevant properties and explore the nature of adjoints of such objects. No geometric applications are given.