A groupoid approach to noncommutative T-duality (Q842460)

The concept of T-duality in string theory generated the mathematical concept of topological T-duality: a principal torus bundle with \(U(1)\)-gerbe and a principal dual-torus bundle with \(U(1)\)-gerbe are topologically T-dual if their twisted K-theory groups are isomorphic. A \(C^*\)-algebra approach to T-duality, presented in [\textit{V. Mathai} and \textit{J. Rosenberg}, Adv. Theor. Math. Phys. 10, 123--158 (1996; Zbl 1111.81131)], allows bundles of noncommutative tori on one side of the duality. As in the classical case, there is an isomorphism of twisted K-theories. In the paper under review, the author proposes a geometric construction of T-dualization that underlines the Mathai-Rosenberg approach. It uses topological groupoids. Let \(N\) be a closed normal subgroup of a locally compact group \(G\) and let \(P\to X\) be a principal \(G/N\) -bundle. The data of a \(U(1)\)-gerbe over \(P\) is given by a Čech 2-cocycle \(\sigma\) on \(P\) with values in the sheaf of \(U(1)\)-valued functions. A lift of \(\sigma\) to a 2-cocycle \(\tilde\sigma\) in \(G\)-equivariant Čech cohomology is realized as a \(G\)-equivariant 2-cocycle on some groupoid presentation \(\mathcal{G}(P)\) of \(P\). It determines a \(U(1)\)-gerbe on the crossed product groupoid \(G\ltimes \mathcal{G}(P)\) for the translation action of \(G\) on \(\mathcal{G}(P)\). The crossed product groupoid presents an \(N\)-gerbe over \(X\). The T-dual is the \(U(1)\)-gerbe on this \(N\) gerbe over \(X\), provided by \(\tilde\sigma\). A nonabelian Takai duality allows to recover \((P,\tilde\sigma)\). From the benefits of the groupoid approach we notice: duality for nonabelian groups and for torus bundles whose base is a topological stack can be treated, a cohomological classification of noncommutative duals is available, extra geometric structures (smooth, complex or symplectic) can be added. Of independent interest could be a Pontryagin type duality that interchanges commutative principal bundles with gerbes, a nonabelian Takai type duality for groupoids, and the computation of certain equivariant Brauer groups.