Obstruction classes of crossed modules of Lie algebroids and Lie groupoids linked to existence of principal bundles (Q934646)

This paper considers central extensions of Lie groups and the question of when a given principal bundle can be lifted over this extension. Specifically, given an extension \(Z \to \hat{K} \to K\) where \(K\) is a Lie group, and a \(K\)-principal bundle \(P\) on a manifold \(M\), does there exist a \(\hat{K}\)-principal bundle \(\hat{P}\) on \(M\) with \(\hat{P}/Z \cong P\)? Work of \textit{K.-H. Neeb} [Commun. Algebra 34, No.~3, 991--1041 (2006; Zbl 1158.17308)] showed that a certain cohomology class was an obstruction to such a bundle, and this paper shows that, up to torsion, Neeb's class is a full obstruction. The article also explains links with crossed modules and gerbes.