SearcharxivSearch

arXiv · 0912.0249

Iterated integrals of superconnections

Abstract

Starting with a Z-graded superconnection on a graded vector bundle over a smooth manifold M, we show how Chen's iterated integration of such a superconnection over smooth simplices in M gives an A-infinity functor if and only if the superconnection is flat. If the graded bundle is trivial, this gives a twisting cochain. Very similar results were obtained by K.T. Chen using similar methods. This paper is intended to explain this from scratch beginning with the definition and basic properties of a connection and ending with an exposition of Chen's "formal connections" and a brief discussion of how this is related to higher Reidemeister torsion.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

BibTeXRIS

Kiyoshi Igusa. 2009-12-01. Iterated integrals of superconnections. https://arxiv.org/abs/0912.0249

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Homogeneous Milnor fibers and Kato--Matsumoto bounds via simplicial multiwedges

For every $n\geq 3$ and $s\geq 2$, we construct a homogeneous polynomial of degree $n(n+1)/2$ whose Milnor fiber is exactly $2s$-connected and whose rational cohomology contains a strictly defined nontrivial $n$-fold Massey product on classes of degree $2s+1$, implying that the Milnor fiber is non-formal, while attaining the Kato--Matsumoto connectivity bound. Our construction is based on the simplicial multiwedges of the nerve complexes of simple polytopes introduced by Limonchenko, combined with Suciu's realization of weighted homogeneous Milnor fibers. We thereby answer two problems posed by Suciu.

math.AT

The homotopy types of directed path and trace spaces

We construct a saturated directed space with a Hausdorff $\Delta$-generated underlying space and two distinct points such that the trace space between them is homeomorphic to a square, whereas the directed path space has a nontrivial fundamental group. In particular, the canonical quotient map is not a weak homotopy equivalence. The same conclusion holds for regular directed paths modulo increasing homeomorphisms.

math.AT

Moduli spaces of geometric functorial field theories

We develop tools to compute moduli spaces of geometric functorial field theories as mapping spaces of equivariant simplicial presheaves. Given a d-dimensional geometric structure F, presented as a presheaf on the site of smooth families of d-manifolds, we define its Cartesian realization, which is an O(d)-equivariant simplicial presheaf on the site of Cartesian spaces. We use Cartesian realizations to present the moduli space of functorial field theories with geometric structure F as a mapping space between O(d)-equivariant simplicial presheaves. In a companion paper, we use this result to compute the moduli space of smooth one-dimensional oriented Riemannian functorial field theories valued in an arbitrary smooth symmetric monoidal infinity-category.

math.AT