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Bai-Ling Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Bai-Ling Wang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

From Yang-Mills to Yang-Baxter: In Memory of Rodney Baxter and Chen--Ning Yang

The year 2025 marked the passing of two towering figures of twentieth-century mathematical physics, Rodney Baxter and Chen-Ning Yang. Yang reshaped modern physics through the introduction of non-abelian gauge theory and, independently, through the consistency conditions underlying what is now called the Yang-Baxter equation. Baxter transformed those conditions into a systematic theory of exact solvability in statistical mechanics and quantum integrable systems. This article is written in memory of Baxter and Yang, whose work revealed how local consistency principles generate global mathematical structure. We review the Yang-Mills formulation of gauge theory, its mass obstruction and resolution via symmetry breaking, and the geometric framework it engendered, including instantons, Donaldson-Floer theory, magnetic monopoles, and Hitchin systems. In parallel, we trace the emergence of the Yang-Baxter equation from factorised scattering to solvable lattice models, quantum groups, and Chern-Simons theory. Rather than separate narratives, gauge theory and integrability are presented as complementary manifestations of a shared coherence principle, an ongoing journey from gauge symmetry toward mathematical unity.

math-ph

Sum of Hamiltonian manifolds

For any compact connected Lie group $G$, we study the Hamiltonian sum of two compact Hamiltonian group $G$-manifolds $(X^+,ω^+,μ^+)$ and $(X^-,ω^-,μ^-)$ with a common codimension 2 Hamiltonian submanifold $Z$ of the opposite equivariant Euler classes of the normal bundles. We establish that the symplectic reduction of the Hamiltonian sum agrees with the symplectic sum of the reduced symplectic manifolds. We also compare the equivariant first Chern class of the Hamiltonian sum with the equivariant first Chern classes of $X^\pm$.

math.SG

Topological K-theory for discrete groups and Index theory

We give a complete solution, for discrete countable groups, to the problem of defining and computing a geometric pairing between the left hand side of the Baum-Connes assembly map, given in terms of geometric cycles associated to proper actions on manifolds, and cyclic periodic cohomology of the group algebra. Indeed, for any such group $Γ$ (without any further assumptions on it) we construct an explicit morphism from the Left-Hand side of the Baum-Connes assembly map to the periodic cyclic homology of the group algebra. This morphism, called here the Chern-Baum-Connes assembly map, allows to give a proper and explicit formulation for a Chern-Connes pairing with the periodic cyclic cohomology of the group algebra. Several theorems are needed to formulate the Chern-Baum-Connes assembly map. In particular we establish a delocalised Riemann-Roch theorem, the wrong way functoriality for periodic delocalised cohomology for $Γ$-proper actions, the construction of a Chern morphism between the Left-Hand side of Baum-Connes and a delocalised cohomology group associated to $Γ$ which is an isomorphism once tensoring with $\mathbb{C}$, and the construction of an explicit cohomological assembly map between the delocalised cohomology group associated to $Γ$ and the homology group $H_*(Γ,FΓ)$. We then give an index theoretical formula for the above mentioned pairing (for any $Γ$) in terms of pairings of invariant forms, associated to geometric cycles and given in terms of delocalized Chern and Todd classes, and currents naturally associated to group cocycles using Burghelea's computation. As part of our results we prove that left-Hand side group used in this paper is isomorphic to the usual analytic model for the left-hand side of the assembly map.

math.KT

An equivariant Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index theorem for proper actions I: the index formula

Consider a proper, isometric action by a unimodular locally compact group $G$ on a Riemannian manifold $M$ with boundary, such that $M/G$ is compact. For an equivariant, elliptic operator $D$ on $M$, and an element $g \in G$, we define a numerical index $\operatorname{index}_g(D)$, in terms of a parametrix for $D$ and a trace associated to $g$. We prove an equivariant Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index theorem for this index. We first state general analytic conditions under which this theorem holds, and then show that these conditions are satisfied if $g=e$ is the identity element; if $G$ is a finitely generated, discrete group, and the conjugacy class of $g$ has polynomial growth; and if $G$ is a connected, linear, real semisimple Lie group, and $g$ is a semisimple element. In the classical case, where $M$ is compact and $G$ is trivial, our arguments reduce to a relatively short and simple proof of the original Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index theorem. In part II of this series, we prove that, under certain conditions, $\operatorname{index}_g(D)$ can be recovered from a $K$-theoretic index of $D$ via a trace defined by the orbital integral over the conjugacy class of $g$.

math.DG

An equivariant Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index theorem for proper actions II: the $K$-theoretic index

Consider a proper, isometric action by a unimodular locally compact group $G$ on a Riemannian manifold $M$ with boundary, such that $M/G$ is compact. Then an equivariant Dirac-type operator $D$ on $M$ under a suitable boundary condition has an equivariant index $\operatorname{index}_G(D)$ in the $K$-theory of the reduced group $C^*$-algebra $C^*_rG$ of $G$. This is a common generalisation of the Baum-Connes analytic assembly map and the (equivariant) Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index. In part I of this series, a numerical index $\operatorname{index}_g(D)$ was defined for an element $g \in G$, in terms of a parametrix of $D$ and a trace associated to $g$. An Atiyah-Patodi-Singer type index formula was obtained for this index. In this paper, we show that, under certain conditions, $τ_g(\operatorname{index}_G(D)) = \operatorname{index}_g(D)$, for a trace $τ_g$ defined by the orbital integral over the conjugacy class of $g$. This implies that the index theorem from part I yields information about the $K$-theoretic index $\operatorname{index}_G(D)$. It also shows that $\operatorname{index}_g(D)$ is a homotopy-invariant quantity.

math.KT

The Asymptotic Behavior of Finite Energy Symplectic Vortices with Admissible Metrics

Assume $(X, ω)$ is a compact symplectic manifold with a Hamiltonian compact Lie group action and the zero in the Lie algebra is a regular value of the moment map $μ$. We prove that a finite energy symplectic vortex exponentially converges to (un)twisted sectors of the symplectic reduction at cylinder ends whose metrics grow up at least cylindrically fast, without assuming the group action on the level set $μ^{-1}(0)$ is free. It generalizes the corresponding results by Ziltener [23, 24] under the free action assumption. The result of this paper is the first step in setting up the quotient morphism moduli space induced by the authors in [6]. Necessary preparations in understanding the structure of such moduli spaces are also introduced here. The quotient morphism constructed in [6] is a part of the project on the quantum Kirwan morphism by the authors (see [3, 4, 5]).

math.SG

Geometric Baum-Connes assembly map for twisted Differentiable Stacks

We construct the geometric Baum-Connes assembly map for twisted Lie groupoids, that means for Lie groupoids together with a given groupoid equivariant $PU(H)-$principle bundle. The construction is based on the use of geometric deformation groupoids, these objects allow in particular to give a geometric construction of the associated pushforward maps and to establish the functoriality. The main results in this paper are to define the geometric twisted K-homology groups and to construct the assembly map. Even in the untwisted case the fact that the geometric twisted K-homology groups and the geometric assembly map are well defined for Lie groupoids is new, as it was only sketched by Connes in his book for general Lie groupoids without any restrictive hypothesis, in particular for non Hausdorff Lie groupoids. We also prove the Morita invariance of the assembly map, giving thus a precise meaning to the geometric assembly map for twisted differentiable stacks. We discuss the relation of the assembly map with the associated assembly map of the $S^1$-central extension. The relation with the analytic assembly map is treated, as well as some cases in which we have an isomorphism. One important tool is the twisted Thom isomorphism in the groupoid equivariant case which we establish in the appendix.

math.KT

Gluing principle for orbifold stratified spaces

In this paper, we explore the theme of orbifold stratified spaces and establish a general criterion for them to be smooth orbifolds. This criterion utilizes the notion of linear stratification on the gluing bundles for the orbifold stratified spaces. We introduce a concept of good gluing structure to ensure a smooth structure on the stratified space. As an application, we provide an orbifold structure on the coarse moduli space $\bar{M}_{g, n}$ of stable genus $g$ curves with $n$-marked points. Using the gluing theory for $\bar{M}_{g, n} $ associated to horocycle structures, there is a natural orbifold gluing atlas on $\bar{M}_{g, n} $. We show this gluing atlas can be refined to provide a good orbifold gluing structure and hence a smooth orbifold structure on $\bar{M}_{g,n}$. This general gluing principle will be very useful in the study of the gluing theory for the compactified moduli spaces of stable pseudo-holomorphic curves in a symplectic manifold.

math.GT

Virtual neighborhood technique for pseudo-holomorphic spheres

This is the first part of a trilogy where we apply the theory of virtual manifold/orbifolds developed by the first named author and Tian to study the Gromov-Witten moduli spaces. In this paper, we resolve the main analytic issue arising from the lack of differentiability of $PSL(2, \C)$-action on spaces of $W^{1, p}$-maps from the Riemann sphere to a symplectic manifold $(X, ω, J)$ with a non-zero homology class $A$. In particular, we establish the slice and tubular neighbourhood theorems for $PSL(2, \C)$-action along smooth maps, and construct a $PSL(2, \C)$-obstruction bundle along $PSL(2, \C)$-orbit of a pseudo-holomorphic map representing a point in the moduli space $\cM_{0, 0}(X, A)$. In Sections 2 and 3 of this paper, we explain an integration theory on virtual orbifolds using proper étale groupoids and establish the virtual neighborhood technique for a general orbifold Fredholm system. When the moduli space $\cM_{0, 0}(X, A)$ of pseudo-holomorphic spheres in $(X, ω, J)$ is compact, applying the virtual neighborhood technique developed in Section 3, we obtain a virtual system for the moduli space $\cM_{0, 0}(X, A)$ of pseudo-holomorphic spheres in $(X, ω, J)$ and show that the genus zero Gromov-Witten invariant is well-defined.

math.GT

$L^2$-moduli spaces of symplectic vortices on Riemann surfaces with cylindrical ends

Let $(X,ω)$ be a compact symplectic manifold with a Hamiltonian action of a compact Lie group $G$ and $μ: X\to \mathfrak g$ be its moment map. In this paper, we study the $L^2$-moduli spaces of symplectic vortices on Riemann surfaces with cylindrical ends. We studied a circle-valued action functional whose gradient flow equation corresponds to the symplectic vortex equations on a cylinder $S^1\times \mathbb R$. Assume that $0$ is a regular value of the moment map $μ$, we show that the functional is of Bott-Morse type and its critical points of the functional form twisted sectors of the symplectic reduction (the symplecitc orbifold $[μ^{-1}(0)/G]$). We show that any gradient flow lines approaches its limit point exponentially fast. Fredholm theory and compactness property are then established for the $L^2$-Moduli spaces of symplectic vortices on Riemann surfaces with cylindrical ends.

math.SG

Localized Index and $L^2$-Lefschetz fixed point formula for orbifolds

We study a class of localized indices for the Dirac type operators on a complete Riemannian orbifold, where a discrete group acts properly, co-compactly and isometrically. These localized indices, generalizing the $L^2$-index of Atiyah, are obtained by taking certain traces of the higher index for the Dirac type operators along conjugacy classes of the discrete group. Applying the local index technique, we also obtain an $L^2$-version of the Lefschetz fixed point formula for orbifolds. These cohomological formulae for the localized indices give rise to a class of refined topological invariants for the quotient orbifold.

math.DG

Delocalized Chern character for stringy orbifold K-theory

In this paper, we define a stringy product on $K^*_{orb}(\XX) \otimes \C $, the orbifold K-theory of any almost complex presentable orbifold $\XX$. We establish that under this stringy product, the de-locaized Chern character ch_{deloc} : K^*_{orb}(\XX) \otimes \C \longrightarrow H^*_{CR}(\XX), after a canonical modification, is a ring isomorphism. Here $ H^*_{CR}(\XX)$ is the Chen-Ruan cohomology of $\XX$. The proof relies on an intrinsic description of the obstruction bundles in the construction of Chen-Ruan product. As an application, we investigate this stringy product on the equivariant K-theory $K^*_G(G)$ of a finite group $G$ with the conjugation action. It turns out that the stringy product is different from the Pontryajin product (the latter is also called the fusion product in string theory).

math.AT

Twisted longitudinal index theorem for foliations and wrong way functoriality

For a Lie groupoid G with a twisting (a PU(H)-principal bundle over G), we use the (geometric) deformation quantization techniques supplied by Connes tangent groupoids to define an analytic index morphism in twisted K-theory. In the case the twisting is trivial we recover the analytic index morphism of the groupoid. For a smooth foliated manifold with twistings on the holonomy groupoid we prove the twisted analog of Connes-Skandalis longitudinal index theorem. When the foliation is given by fibers of a fibration, our index coincides with the one recently introduced by Mathai-Melrose-Singer. We construct the pushforward map in twisted K-theory associated to any smooth (generalized) map $f:W\longrightarrow M/F$ and a twisting $σ$ on the holonomy groupoid $M/F$, next we use the longitudinal index theorem to prove the functoriality of this construction. We generalize in this way the wrong way functoriality results of Connes-Skandalis when the twisting is trivial and of Carey-Wang for manifolds.

math.KT

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.

math.KT

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.

math.KT

Geometric cycles, index theory and twisted K-homology

We study twisted $Spin^c$-manifolds over a paracompact Hausdorff space $X$ with a twisting $α: X \to K(\ZZ, 3)$. We introduce the topological index and the analytical index on the bordism group of $α$-twisted $Spin^c$-manifolds over $(X, α)$, taking values in topological twisted K-homology and analytical twisted K-homology respectively. The main result of this paper is to establish the equality between the topological index and the analytical index. We also define a notion of geometric twisted K-homology, whose cycles are geometric cycles of $(X, \a)$ analogous to Baum-Douglas's geometric cycles. As an application of our twisted index theorem, we discuss the twisted longitudinal index theorem for a foliated manifold $(X, F)$ with a twisting $α: X \to K(\ZZ, 3)$, which generalizes the Connes-Skandalis index theorem for foliations and the Atiyah-Singer families index theorem to twisted cases.

math.KT

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.

math.KT