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Alan L. Carey

Publications and source records attributed to Alan L. Carey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Analytic index theory and spectral flow in real Hilbert $C^*$-modules

We consider the analytic index and spectral flow of Fredholm operators on Hilbert $C^*$-modules. Our spaces and algebras are equipped with a real structure, so the analytic index and spectral flow takes value in the real $K$-theory group of a $σ$-unital $C^*$-algebra. We use Van Daele $K$-theory, which allows us to treat the eight real $K$-theory groups and the two complex groups on an equal footing. We provide a general definition of the analytic index for Clifford anti-linear and skew-adjoint Fredholm operators as well as self-adjoint and odd Fredholm operators. Our definition of spectral flow and its basic properties are valid for Wahl-continuous paths of Fredholm operators on a real Hilbert $C^*$-module. We also provide an analytic approach to the spectral flow as a decomposition into a finite sum of relative indices. Furthermore, we prove a real version of the Robbin-Salamon theorem, relating the spectral flow to a Fredholm index. Our description of the index and spectral flow relies on various isomorphisms between Kasparov's $KKR$-theory and Van Daele $K$-theory, which we systematically describe in the Appendix.

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arXiv2020

The KO-valued spectral flow for skew-adjoint Fredholm operators

In this article we give a comprehensive treatment of a `Clifford module flow' along paths in the skew-adjoint Fredholm operators on a real Hilbert space that takes values in KO${}_{*}(\mathbb{R})$ via the Clifford index of Atiyah-Bott-Shapiro. We develop its properties for both bounded and unbounded skew-adjoint operators including an axiomatic characterization. Our constructions and approach are motivated by the principle that \[ \text{spectral flow} = \text{Fredholm index}. \] That is, we show how the KO--valued spectral flow relates to a KO-valued index by proving a Robbin-Salamon type result. The Kasparov product is also used to establish a spectral flow $=$ Fredholm index result at the level of bivariant K-theory. We explain how our results incorporate previous applications of $\mathbb{Z}/ 2\mathbb{Z}$-valued spectral flow in the study of topological phases of matter.

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arXiv2018

Spectral flow of monopole insertion in topological insulators

Inserting a magnetic flux into a two-dimensional one-particle Hamiltonian leads to a spectral flow through a given gap which is equal to the Chern number of the associated Fermi projection. This paper establishes a generalization to higher even dimension by inserting non-abelian monopoles of the Wu-Yang type. The associated spectral flow is then equal to a higher Chern number. For the study of odd spacial dimensions, a new so-called `chirality flow' is introduced which, for the insertion of a monopole, is then linked to higher winding numbers. This latter fact follows from a new index theorem for the spectral flow between two unitaries which are conjugates of each other by a self-adjoint unitary.

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arXiv2018

Spectral flow for real skew-adjoint Fredholm operators

An analytic definition of a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-valued spectral flow for paths of real skew-adjoint Fredholm operators is given. It counts the parity of the number of changes in the orientation of the eigenfunctions at eigenvalue crossings through $0$ along the path. The $\mathbb{Z}_2$-valued spectral flow is shown to satisfy a concatenation property and homotopy invariance, and it provides an isomorphism on the fundamental group of the real skew-adjoint Fredholm operators. Moreover, it is connected to a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-index pairing for suitable paths. Applications concern the zero energy bound states at defects in a Majorana chain and a spectral flow interpretation for the $\mathbb{Z}_2$-polarization in these models.

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arXiv2018

The non-unital version of Connes' theorem on the Hochschild class of the Chern character

We offer a short proof of Connes' Hochschild class of the Chern character formula for non-unital semifinite spectral triples. The proof is simple due to its reliance on the authors' extensive work on a refined version of the local index formula, and the consequent understanding of the passage from generalised residues of zeta functions to representations in terms of singular traces.

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arXiv2016

A noncommutative framework for topological insulators

We study topological insulators, regarded as physical systems giving rise to topological invariants determined by symmetries both linear and anti-linear. Our perspective is that of noncommutative index theory of operator algebras. In particular we formulate the index problems using Kasparov theory, both complex and real. We show that the periodic table of topological insulators and superconductors can be realised as a real or complex index pairing of a Kasparov module capturing internal symmetries of the Hamiltonian with a spectral triple encoding the geometry of the sample's (possibly noncommutative) Brillouin zone.

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arXiv2015

The bulk-edge correspondence for the quantum Hall effect in Kasparov theory

We prove the bulk-edge correspondence in $K$-theory for the quantum Hall effect by constructing an unbounded Kasparov module from a short exact sequence that links the bulk and boundary algebras. This approach allows us to represent bulk topological invariants explicitly as a Kasparov product of boundary invariants with the extension class linking the algebras. This paper focuses on the example of the discrete integer quantum Hall effect, though our general method potentially has much wider applications.

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arXiv2012

Higher spectral flow and an entire bivariant JLO cocycle

Given a smooth fibration of closed manifolds and a family of generalised Dirac operators along the fibers, we define an associated bivariant JLO cocycle. We then prove that, for any $\ell \geq 0$, our bivariant JLO cocycle is entire when we endow smoooth functions on the total manifold with the $C^{\ell+1}$ topology and functions on the base manifold with the $C^\ell$ topology. As a by-product of our theorem, we deduce that the bivariant JLO cocycle is entire for the Fréchet smooth topologies. We then prove that our JLO bivariant cocycle computes the Chern character of the Dai-Zhang higher spectral flow.

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arXiv2010

Loop groups and quantum fields

This article surveys the application of the representation theory of loop groups to simple models in quantum field theory and to certain integrable systems. The common thread in the discussion is the construction of quantum fields using vertex operators. These examples include the construction and solution of the Luttinger model and other 1+1 dimensional interacting quantum field theories, the construction of anyon field operators on the circle, the `2nd quantization' of the Calogero-Sutherland model using anyons and the geometric construction of quantum fields on Riemann surfaces. We describe some new results on the elliptic Calogero-Sutherland model. (This paper was written in 2001, and we want to make a version of it more accessible because it is a reference for us for subsequent work.)

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arXiv2009

Riemann-Roch and index formulae in twisted K-theory

In this paper, we establish the Riemann-Roch theorem in twisted K-theory extending our earlier results. As an application, we prove a twisted index formula and show that D-brane charges in Type I and Type II string theory are classified by twisted KO-theory and twisted K-theory respectively in the presence of B-fields as proposed by Witten.

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arXiv2008

Differential Twisted K-theory and Applications

In this paper, we develop differential twisted K-theory and define a twisted Chern character on twisted K-theory which depends on a choice of connection and curving on the twisting gerbe. We also establish the general Riemann-Roch theorem in twisted K-theory and find some applications in the study of twisted K-theory of compact simple Lie groups.

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arXiv2008

Twisted cyclic theory, equivariant KK theory and KMS States

Recently, examples of an index theory for KMS states of circle actions were discovered, \cite{CPR2,CRT}. We show that these examples are not isolated. Rather there is a general framework in which we use KMS states for circle actions on a C*-algebra A to construct Kasparov modules and semifinite spectral triples. By using a residue construction analogous to that used in the semifinite local index formula we associate to these triples a twisted cyclic cocycle on a dense subalgebra of A. This cocycle pairs with the equivariant KK-theory of the mapping cone algebra for the inclusion of the fixed point algebra of the circle action in A. The pairing is expressed in terms of spectral flow between a pair of unbounded self adjoint operators that are Fredholm in the semifinite sense. A novel aspect of our work is the discovery of an eta cocycle that forms a part of our twisted residue cocycle. To illustrate our theorems we observe firstly that they incorporate the results in \cite{CPR2,CRT} as special cases. Next we use the Araki-Woods III_λrepresentations of the Fermion algebra to show that there are examples which are not Cuntz-Krieger systems.

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arXiv2006

The Chern Character of Semifinite Spectral Triples

In previous work we generalised both the odd and even local index formula of Connes and Moscovici to the case of spectral triples for a *-subalgebra \A of a general semifinite von Neumann algebra. Our proofs are novel even in the setting of the original theorem and rely on the introduction of a function valued cocycle (called the resolvent cocycle) which is `almost' a (b,B)-cocycle in the cyclic cohomology of \A. In this paper we show that this resolvent cocycle `almost' represents the Chern character, and assuming analytic continuation properties for zeta functions, we show that the associated residue cocycle, which appears in our statement of the local index theorem does represent the Chern character.

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arXiv2006

Thom isomorphism and Push-forward map in twisted K-theory

We establish the Thom isomorphism in twisted K-theory for any real vector bundle and develop the push-forward map in twisted K-theory for any differentiable proper map $f: X\to Y$ (not necessarily K-oriented). The push-forward map generalizes the push-forward map in ordinary K-theory for any $K$-oriented differentiable proper map and the Atiyah-Singer index theorem of Dirac operators on Clifford modules. For $D$-branes satisfying Freed-Witten's anomaly cancellation condition in a manifold with a non-trivial $B$-field, we associate a canonical element in the twisted K-group to get the so-called D-brane charges.

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arXiv2006

On the relationship of gerbes to the odd families index theorem

The goal of this paper is to apply the universal gerbe of \cite{CMi1} and \cite{CMi2} to give an alternative, simple and more unified view of the relationship between index theory and gerbes. We discuss determinant bundle gerbes \cite{CMMi1} and the index gerbe of \cite{L} for the case of families of Dirac operators on odd dimensional closed manifolds. The method also works for a family of Dirac operators on odd dimensional manifolds with boundary, for a pair of Melrose-Piazza's $Cl(1)$-spectral sections for a family of Dirac operators on even dimensional closed manifolds with vanishing index in $K$-theory and, in a simple case, for manifolds with corners. The common feature of these bundle gerbes is that there exists a canonical bundle gerbe connection whose curving is given by the degree 2 part of the even eta-form (up to a locally defined exact form) arising from the local family index theorem.

math.DG↗
arXiv2005

Bundle gerbes for Chern-Simons and Wess-Zumino-Witten theories

We develop the theory of Chern-Simons bundle 2-gerbes and multiplicative bundle gerbes associated to any principal $G$-bundle with connection and a class in $H^4(BG, \ZZ)$ for a compact semi-simple Lie group $G$. The Chern-Simons bundle 2-gerbe realises differential geometrically the Cheeger-Simons invariant. We apply these notions to refine the Dijkgraaf-Witten correspondence between three dimensional Chern-Simons functionals and Wess-Zumino-Witten models associated to the group $G$. We do this by introducing a lifting to the level of bundle gerbes of the natural map from $H^4(BG, \ZZ)$ to $H^3(G, \ZZ)$. The notion of a multiplicative bundle gerbe accounts geometrically for the subtleties in this correspondence for non-simply connected Lie groups. The implications for Wess-Zumino-Witten models are also discussed.

math.DG↗
arXiv2004

The Local Index Formula in Semifinite von Neumann Algebras I: Spectral Flow

We generalise the local index formula of Connes and Moscovici to the case of spectral triples for a *-subalgebra \A of a general semifinite von Neumann algebra. In this setting it gives a formula for spectral flow along a path joining an unbounded self adjoint Breuer-Fredholm operator, affiliated to the von Neumann algebra, to a unitarily equivalent operator. Our proof is novel even in the setting of the original theorem and relies on the introduction of a function valued cocycle which is `almost' a (b,B)-cocycle in the cyclic cohomology of \A.

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