The eta invariant and the K-theory of odd dimensional spherical space forms (Q799005)

This paper applies the twisted eta invariant of \textit{M. F. Atiyah, V. K. Patodi} and \textit{I. M. Singer} [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 79, 71-99 (1976; Zbl 0325.58015)] to the determination of the K-theory of odd- dimensional spherical space forms. The eta invariant is a number associated to any self-adjoint elliptic operator on a compact manifold. It is computed from the spectrum of the operator. If one takes the difference of the eta invariants for the operator with coefficients in a flat vector bundle for the original operator, and then reduces modulo the integers, the result, called the twisted eta invariant, is a homotopy invariant of the operator. The K-theory of \(S^{2n+1}/\Gamma\), where \(\Gamma\) is a finite group is generated, in a certain sense, by flat vector bundles, so the twisted eta invariant may be used to detect it. The author shows that by using the Dolbeault complex to obtain the operator the structure of \(\tilde K(S{}^{2n+1}/\Gamma)\) can indeed be determined. There is a considerable amount of useful, detailed information in this paper.