Superconnections and index theory

DOI10.1016/J.GEOMPHYS.2011.04.004MaRDI QIDQ550307zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Alexander Kahle

Publication date 8 July 2011

Published in Journal of Geometry and Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/0810.0820

zbMATH Keywords

\(\eta\)-invariantdeterminant line bundleindex theorysuperconnections

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Spin and Spin({}^c) geometry (53C27) Analysis on supermanifolds or graded manifolds (58C50) Index theory and related fixed-point theorems on manifolds (58J20) Eta-invariants, Chern-Simons invariants (58J28) Determinants and determinant bundles, analytic torsion (58J52)

Abstract: We investigate index theory in the context of Dirac operators coupled to superconnections. In particular, we prove a local index theorem for such operators, and for families of such operators. We investigate eta-invariants and prove an APS-theorem, and construct a geometric determinant line bundle for families of such operators, computing its curvature and holonomy in terms of familiar index theoretic quantities.

Review text

The notion of a superconnection was introduced to mathematics by \textit{D. Quillen} [Topology 24, 89--95 (1985; Zbl 0569.58030)]. Then, Dirac operators coupled to superconnections could be constructed in a manner analogous to the construction of Dirac operators coupled to ordinary connections. The paper under review contains four results of local index theory of Dirac operators coupled to superconnections. First, using stochastic arguments and the Feynman-Kac formula, \textit{E. Getzler} [Contemp. Math. 179, 63--81 (1994; Zbl 0855.58055)] proved a local index theorem for Dirac operators coupled to superconnections. The paper under review gives a different proof of the theorem relying on heat kernel methods and the Getzler scaling argument. Second, Dirac operators coupled to superconnections on manifolds with boundary are studied. The \(\eta\)-invariant of a Dirac operator coupled to a superconnection is defined in terms of the \(\eta\)-invariant of a Dirac operator coupled to an ordinary connection and the Chern-Simons form between this connection and the superconnection. Then, an APS theorem for this \(\eta\)-invariant is proved. Third, families of Dirac operators coupled to superconnections are investigated, especially, the Chern character of the pushed-forward superconnection is computed. This result extends the work of \textit{J.-M. Bismut} [Invent. Math. 83, 91--151 (1986; Zbl 0592.58047)] for families of Dirac operators coupled to connections. Fourth, the determinant line bundle associated to a family of Dirac operators coupled to superconnections is defined and its curvature and holonomy are computed. This extends the works of \textit{D. Quillen} [Funct. Anal. Appl. 19, 31--34 (1985); translation from Funkts. Anal. Prilozh. 19, No.~1, 37--41 (1985; Zbl 0603.32016)], and \textit{J.-M. Bismut} and \textit{D. S. Freed} [Commun. Math. Phys. 106, 159--176 (1986; Zbl 0657.58037); Commun. Math. Phys. 107, 103--163 (1986; Zbl 0657.58038)].

Recommendations

• Superconnections and higher index theory
• Superconnections and the Chern character
• Connections and splittings of super-manifolds
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 7669918
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 5183813
• Quillen superconnections and connections on supermanifolds
• Localization formulas, superconnections, and the index theorem for families
• Existence of connections on superbundles
• Super-connections and non-commutative geometry
• Superconnexions, indice local des familles, déterminant de la cohomologie et métriques de Quillen

Cites work

• A short proof of the local Atiyah-Singer index theorem
• Curvature and the eigenforms of the Laplace operator
• Curvature and the eigenvalues of the Dolbeault complex for Kaehler manifolds
• Curvature and the eigenvalues of the Laplacian
• Determinants of Cauchy-Riemann operators on a Riemann surface
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 4007261 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 739373 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 2046509 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 2107946 (Why is no real title available?)
• On the heat equation and the index theorem
• Quadratic functions in geometry, topology, and \(M\)-theory
• Setting the quantum integrand of M-theory
• Smooth K-theory
• Spectral asymmetry and Riemannian Geometry. I
• Superconnections and index theory
• Superconnections and the Chern character
• The analysis of elliptic families. I: Metrics and connections on determinant bundles
• The analysis of elliptic families. II: Dirac operators, êta invariants, and the holonomy theorem
• The Atiyah-Singer index theorem for families of Dirac operators: Two heat equation proofs
• The index of elliptic operators. I
• Théorie de Hodge. III
• η-invariants and determinant lines
• η-Invariants and Their Adiabatic Limits

Cited in

(14)

• Superconnections and the Chern character
• Connections and splittings of super-manifolds
• A super-twisted Dirac operator and Novikov inequalities
• A Hilbert bundle description of differential \(K\)-theory
• Bismut superconnections and the Chern character for Dirac operators on foliated manifolds
• Superconnections and higher index theory
• Higher Berry phase of fermions and index theorem
• Dirac operators coupled to vector potentials
• Superconnexions, indice local des familles, déterminant de la cohomologie et métriques de Quillen
• Superconnections and index theory
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 7669918 (Why is no real title available?)
• Superconnection and family Bergman kernels
• Asymptotics of a modified holomorphic analytic torsion
• Coupling of gravity to matter, spectral action and cosmic topology

This page was built for publication: Superconnections and index theory

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q550307)