arXiv subjects

Thomas Schick

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Schick.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Positive Scalar Curvature due to the Cokernel of the Classifying Map

This paper contributes to the classification of positive scalar curvature metrics up to bordism and up to concordance. Let $M$ be a closed spin manifold of dimension $\ge 5$ which admits a metric with positive scalar curvature. We give lower bounds on the rank of the group of psc metrics over $M$ up to bordism in terms of the corank of the canonical map $KO_*(M)\to KO_*(Bπ_1(M))$, provided the rational analytic Novikov conjecture is true for $π_1(M)$.

math.KT↗

arXiv2020

Differentiable maps between Wasserstein spaces

A notion of differentiability is being proposed for maps between Wasserstein spaces of order 2 of smooth, connected and complete Riemannian manifolds. Due to the nature of the tangent space construction on Wasserstein spaces, we only give a global definition of differentiability, i.e. without a prior notion of pointwise differentiability. With our definition, however, we recover the expected properties of a differential. Special focus is being put on differentiability properties of pushforward maps induced by smooth maps between the underlying manifolds, and on convex mixing of differentiable maps, with an explicit construction of the differential.

math.MG↗

arXiv2020

Coarse Homotopy Groups

In this note on coarse geometry we revisit coarse homotopy. We prove that coarse homotopy indeed is an equivalence relation, and this in the most general context of abstract coarse structures. We introduce (in a geometric way) coarse homotopy groups. The main result is that the coarse homotopy groups of cone of a compact simplicial complex coincide with the usual homotopy groups of the underlying compact simplicial complex. To prove this we develop geometric triangulation techniques for cones which we expect to be of relevance also in different contexts.

math.GT↗

arXiv2020

Right Angled Artin Groups and partial commutation, old and new

We compute the $p$-central and exponent-$p$ series of all right angled Artin groups, and compute the dimensions of their subquotients. We also describe their associated Lie algebras, and relate them to the cohomology ring of the group as well as to a partially commuting polynomial ring and power series ring. We finally show how the growth series of these various objects are related to each other.

math.GR↗

arXiv2020

Non-negative versus positive scalar curvature

We show that results about spaces or moduli spaces of positive scalar curvature metrics proved using index theory can typically be extended to non-negative scalar curvature metrics. We illustrate this by providing explicit generalizations of some classical results concerning moduli spaces of positive scalar curvature metrics.

math.DG↗

arXiv2020

The Gromov-Lawson codimension 2 obstruction to positive scalar curvature and the C*-index

Gromov and Lawson developed a codimension 2 index obstruction to positive scalar curvature for a closed spin manifold M, later refined by Hanke, Pape and Schick. Kubota has shown that also this obstruction can be obtained from the Rosenberg index of the ambient manifold M which takes values in the K-theory of the maximal C*-algebra of the fundamental group of M, using relative index constructions. In this note, we give a slightly simplified account of Kubota's work and remark that it also applies to the signature operator, thus recovering the homotopy invariance of higher signatures of codimension 2 submanifolds of Higson, Schick, Xie.

math.KT↗

arXiv2020

On an Index Theorem of Chang, Weinberger and Yu

In this paper we prove a strengthening of a theorem of Chang, Weinberger and Yu on obstructions to the existence of positive scalar curvature metrics on compact manifolds with boundary. They construct a relative index for the Dirac operator, which lives in a relative K-theory group, measuring the difference between the fundamental group of the boundary and of the full manifold. Whenever the Riemannian metric has product structure and positive scalar curvature near the boundary, one can define an absolute index of the Dirac operator taking value in the K-theory of the C*-algebra of fundamental group of the full manifold. This index depends on the metric near the boundary. We prove that the relative index of Chang, Weinberger and Yu is the image of this absolute index under the canonical map of K-theory groups. This has the immediate corollary that positive scalar curvature on the whole manifold implies vanishing of the relative index, giving a conceptual and direct proof of the vanishing theorem of Chang, Weinberger, and Yu. To take the fundamental groups of the manifold and its boundary into account requires working with maximal C* completions of the involved *-algebras. A significant part of this paper is devoted to foundational results regarding these completions.

math.KT↗

arXiv2019

Transfer maps in generalized group homology via submanifolds

Let $N \subset M$ be a submanifold embedding of spin manifolds of some codimension $k \geq 1$. A classical result of Gromov and Lawson, refined by Hanke, Pape and Schick, states that $M$ does not admit a metric of positive scalar curvature if $k = 2$ and the Dirac operator of $N$ has non-trivial index, provided that suitable conditions are satisfied. In the cases $k=1$ and $k=2$, Zeidler and Kubota, respectively, established more systematic results: There exists a transfer $\mathrm{KO}_\ast(\mathrm{C}^{\ast} π_1 M)\to \mathrm{KO}_{\ast - k}(\mathrm{C}^\ast π_1 N)$ which maps the index class of $M$ to the index class of $N$. The main goal of this article is to construct analogous transfer maps $E_\ast(\mathrm{B}π_1M) \to E_{\ast-k}(\mathrm{B}π_1N)$ for different generalized homology theories $E$ and suitable submanifold embeddings. The design criterion is that it is compatible with the transfer $E_\ast(M) \to E_{\ast-k}(N)$ induced by the inclusion $N \subset M$ for a chosen orientation on the normal bundle. Under varying restrictions on homotopy groups and the normal bundle, we construct transfers in the following cases in particular: In ordinary homology, it works for all codimensions. This slightly generalizes a result of Engel and simplifies his proof. In complex K-homology, we achieve it for $k \leq 3$. For $k \leq 2$, we have a transfer on the equivariant KO-homology of the classifying space for proper actions.

math.AT↗

arXiv2019

Open projections and Murray-von Neumann equivalence

We characterize the $C^\star$-algebras for which openness of projections in their second duals is preserved under Murray-von Neumann equivalence. They are precisely the extensions of the annihilator $C^\star$-algebras by the commutative $C^\star$-algebras. We also show that the annihilator $C^\star$-algebras are precisely the $C^\star$-algebras for which all projections in their second duals are open.

math.OA↗

arXiv2018

Harmonic spinors and metrics of positive curvature via the Gromoll filtration and Toda brackets

We construct non-trivial elements of order 2 in the homotopy groups $π_{8j+1+*} Diff(D^6,\partial)$, for * congruent 1 or 2 modulo 8, which are detected by the "assembling homomorphism" (giving rise to the Gromoll filtration), followed by the alpha-invariant in $KO_*=Z/2$. These elements are constructed by means of Morlet's homotopy equivalence between $Diff(D^6,\partial)$ and $Ω^7(PL_6/O_6)$, and Toda brackets in $PL_6/O_6$. We also construct non-trivial elements of order 2 in $π_* PL_m$ for every m greater or equal to 6 and * congruent to 1 or 2 modulo 8, which are detected by the alpha-invariant. As consequences, we (a) obtain non-trivial elements of order 2 in $π_* Diff(D^m,\partial)$ for m greater or equal to 6, and * + m congruent 0 or 1 modulo 8; (b) these elements remain non-trivial in $π_* Diff(M)$ where M is a closed spin manifold of the same dimension m and * > 0; (c) they act non-trivially on the corresponding homotopy group of the space of metrics of positive scalar curvature of such an M; in particular these homotopy groups are all non-trivial. The same applies to all other diffeomorphism invariant metrics of positive curvature, like the space of metrics of positive sectional curvature, or the space of metrics of positive Ricci curvature, provided they are non-empty. Further consequences are: (d) any closed spin manifold of dimension m greater or equal to 6 admits a metric with harmonic spinors; (e) there is no analogue of the odd-primary splitting of $(PL/O)_{(p)}$ for the prime 2; (f) for any $bP_{8j+4}$-sphere (where j > 0) of order which divides 4, the corresponding element in $π_0 Diff(D^{8j+2},\partial)$ lifts to $π_{8j-4} Diff(D^6,\partial)$, i.e., lies correspondingly deep down in the Gromoll filtration.

math.GT↗

arXiv2017

C*-Algebraic Higher Signatures and an Invariance Theorem in Codimension Two

We revisit the construction of signature classes in C*-algebra K-theory, and develop a variation that allows us to prove equality of signature classes in some situations involving homotopy equivalences of noncompact manifolds that are only defined outside of a compact set. As an application, we prove a counterpart for signature classes of a codimension two vanishing theorem for the index of the Dirac operator on spin manifolds (the latter is due to Hanke, Pape and Schick, and is a development of well-known work of Gromov and Lawson).

math.KT↗

arXiv2016

On the center-valued Atiyah conjecture for L2-Betti numbers

The so-called Atiyah conjecture states that the von Neumann dimensions of the L2-homology modules of free G-CW-complexes belong to a certain set of rational numbers, depending on the finite subgroups of G. In this article we extend this conjecture to a statement for the center-valued dimensions. We show that the conjecture is equivalent to a precise description of the tructure as a semisimple Artinian ring of the division closure D(QG) of Q[G] in the ring of affiliated operators. We prove the conjecture for all groups in Linnell's class C, containing in particular free-by-elementary amenable groups. The center-valued Atiyah conjecture states that the center-valued L2-Betti numbers of finite free G-CW-complexes are contained in a certain discrete subset of the center of C[G], the one generated as an additive group by the center-valued traces of all projections in C[H], where H runs through the finite subgroups of G. Finally, we use the approximation theorem of Knebusch for the center-valued $L^2$-Betti numbers to extend the result to many groups which are residually in C, in particular for finite extensions of products of free groups and of pure braid groups.

math.RA↗

arXiv2016

Index Theory and the Baum-Connes conjecture

These notes are based on lectures on index theory, topology, and operator algebras at the "School on High Dimensional Manifold Theory" at the ICTP in Trieste, and at the Seminari di Geometria 2002 in Bologna. We describe how techniques coming from the theory of operator algebras, in particular $C^*$-algebras, can be used to study manifolds. Operator algebras are extensively studied in their own right. We will focus on the basic definitions and properties, and on their relevance to the geometry and topology of manifolds. The link between topology and analysis is provided by index theorems. Starting with the classical Atiyah-Singer index theorem, we will explain several index theorems in detail. Our point of view will be in particular, that an index lives in a canonical way in the K-theory of a certain $C^*$-algebra. The geometrical context will determine, which $C^*$-algebra to use. A central pillar of work in the theory of $C^*$-algebras is the Baum-Connes conjecture. Nevertheless, it has important direct applications to the topology of manifolds, it impliese.g. the Novikov conjecture. We will explain the Baum-Connes conjecture and put it into our context. Several people contributed to these notes by reading preliminary parts and suggesting improvements, in particular Marc Johnson, Roman Sauer, Marco Varisco und Guido Mislin. I am very indebted to all of them. This is an elaboration of the first chapter of the author's contribution to the proceedings of the above mentioned "School on High Dimensional Manifold Theory" 2001 at the ICTP in Trieste.

math.KT↗

arXiv2016

On computing homology gradients over finite fields

Recently the so-called Atiyah conjecture about l^2-Betti numbers has been disproved. The counterexamples were found using a specific method of computing the spectral measure of a matrix over a complex group ring. We show that in many situations the same method allows to compute homology gradients, i.e. generalizations of l^2-Betti numbers to fields of arbitrary characteristic. As an application we point out that (i) the homology gradient over any field of characteristic different than 2 can be an irrational number, and (ii) there exists a finite CW-complex with the property that the homology gradients of its universal cover taken over different fields have infinitely many different values.

math.GT↗

arXiv2015

Rho-classes, index theory and Stolz' positive scalar curvature sequence

In this paper, we study the space of metrics of positive scalar curvature using methods from coarse geometry. Given a closed spin manifold M with fundamental group G, Stephan Stolz introduced the positive scalar curvature exact sequence, in analogy to the surgery exact sequence in topology. It calculates a structure group of metrics of positive scalar curvature on M (the object we want to understand) in terms of spin-bordism of BG and a somewhat mysterious group R(G). Higson and Roe introduced a K-theory exact sequence in coarse geometry which contains the Baum-Connes assembly map, with one crucial term K(D*G) canonically associated to G. The K-theory groups in question are the home of interesting index invariants and secondary invariants, in particular the rho-class in K_*(D*G) of a metric of positive scalar curvature on a spin manifold. One of our main results is the construction of a map from the Stolz exact sequence to the Higson-Roe exact sequence (commuting with all arrows), using coarse index theory throughout. Our main tool are two index theorems, which we believe to be of independent interest. The first is an index theorem of Atiyah-Patodi-Singer type. Here, assume that Y is a compact spin manifold with boundary, with a Riemannian metric g which is of positive scalar curvature when restricted to the boundary (and with fundamental group G). Because the Dirac operator on the boundary is invertible, one constructs a delocalized APS-index in K_* (D*G). We then show that this class equals the rho-class of the boundary. The second theorem equates a partitioned manifold rho-class of a positive scalar curvature metric to the rho-class of the partitioning hypersurface.

math.KT↗

arXiv2015

The surgery exact sequence, K-theory and the signature operator

The main result of this paper is a new and direct proof of the natural transformation from the surgery exact sequence in topology to the analytic K-theory sequence of Higson and Roe. Our approach makes crucial use of analytic properties and new index theorems for the signature operator on Galois coverings with boundary. These are of independent interest and form the second main theme of the paper. The main technical novelty is the use of large scale index theory for Dirac type operators that are perturbed by lower order operators.

math.KT↗

arXiv2015

Large scale index of multi-partitioned manifolds

Let M be a complete n-dimensional Riemannian spin manifold, partitioned by q two-sided hypersurfaces which have a compact transverse intersection N and which in addition satisfy a certain coarse transversality condition. Let E be a Hermitean bundle with connection on M. We define a coarse multi-partitioned index of the spin Dirac operator on M twisted by E. Our main result is the computation of this multi-partitioned index as the Fredholm index of the Dirac operator on the compact manifold N, twisted by the restriction of E to N. We establish the following main application: if the scalar curvature of M is bounded from below by a positive constant everywhere (or even if this happens only on one of the quadrants defined by the partitioning hypersurfaces) then the multi-partitioned index vanishes. Consequently, ind(D_N) is an obstruction to uniformly positive scalar curvature on M. The proof of the multi-partitioned index theorem proceeds in two steps: first we establish a strong new localization property of the multi-partitioned index which is the main novelty of this note. This we establish even when we twist with an arbitrary Hilbert A-module bundle E (for an auxiliary C*-algebra A). This allows to reduce to the case where M is the product of a compact manifold with Euclidean space. For this special case, standard methods for the explicit calculation of the index in this product situation can be adapted to obtain the result.

math.KT↗

arXiv2015

Closed manifolds with transcendental L2-Betti numbers

In this paper, we show how to construct examples of closed manifolds with explicitly computed irrational, even transcendental L2 Betti numbers, defined via the universal covering. We show that every non-negative real number shows up as an L2-Betti number of some covering of a compact manifold, and that many computable real numbers appear as an L2-Betti number of a universal covering of a compact manifold (with a precise meaning of computable given below). In algebraic terms, for many given computable real numbers (in particular for many transcendental numbers) we show how to construct a finitely presented group and an element in the integral group ring such that the L2-dimension of the kernel is the given number. We follow the method pioneered by Austin in "Rational group ring elements with kernels having irrational dimension" arXiv:0909.2360) but refine it to get very explicit calculations which make the above statements possible.

math.KT↗