Local index theorem for orbifold Riemann surfaces

Abstract

We derive a local index theorem in Quillen's form for families of Cauchy-Riemann operators on orbifold Riemann surfaces (or Riemann orbisurfaces) that are quotients of the hyperbolic plane by the action of cofinite finitely generated Fuchsian groups. Each conical point (or a conjugacy class of primitive elliptic elements in the Fuchsian group) gives rise to an extra term in the local index theorem that is proportional to the symplectic form of a new K\"{a}hler metric on the moduli space of Riemann orbisurfaces. We find a simple formula for a local K\"{a}hler potential of the elliptic metric and show that when the order of elliptic element becomes large, the elliptic metric converges to the cuspidal one corresponding to a puncture on the orbisurface (or a conjugacy class of primitive parabolic elements). We also give a simple example of a relation between the elliptic metric and special values of Selberg's zeta function.