Spin structures, spinors and the Dirac operator: Real versus complex manifolds (Q921599)

The authors describe in a very lucid manner the relationship between spin-structures, spinors, and the Dirac operators as discussed from the viewpoints of differential and algebraic geometry, i.e. as in real versus complex manifolds. The article is essentially expository, but contains material known only to experts and belonging to the folklore. Emphasis is placed on explaining the relevant notions, and sketches of four theorems are given. Although presumably intended for physicists working in superstring theory, no physical results are discussed.