Fractional analytic index

For a finite rank projective bundle over a compact manifold, so associated to a torsion, Dixmier-Douady, 3-class, w, on the manifold, we define the ring of differential operators `acting on sections of the projective bundle' in a formal sense. In particular, any oriented even-dimensional manifold carries a projective spin Dirac operator in this sense. More generally the corresponding space of pseudodifferential operators is defined, with supports sufficiently close to the diagonal, i.e. the identity relation. For such elliptic operators we define the numerical index in an essentially analytic way, as the trace of the commutator of the operator and a parametrix and show that this is homotopy invariant. Using the heat kernel method for the twisted, projective spin Dirac operator, we show that this index is given by the usual formula, now in terms of the twisted Chern character of the symbol, which in this case defines an element of K-theory twisted by w; hence the index is a rational number but in general it is not an integer.Comment: 23 pages, Latex2e, final version, to appear in JD

A Discrete Theory of Connections on Principal Bundles

Connections on principal bundles play a fundamental role in expressing the equations of motion for mechanical systems with symmetry in an intrinsic fashion. A discrete theory of connections on principal bundles is constructed by introducing the discrete analogue of the Atiyah sequence, with a connection corresponding to the choice of a splitting of the short exact sequence. Equivalent representations of a discrete connection are considered, and an extension of the pair groupoid composition, that takes into account the principal bundle structure, is introduced. Computational issues, such as the order of approximation, are also addressed. Discrete connections provide an intrinsic method for introducing coordinates on the reduced space for discrete mechanics, and provide the necessary discrete geometry to introduce more general discrete symmetry reduction. In addition, discrete analogues of the Levi-Civita connection, and its curvature, are introduced by using the machinery of discrete exterior calculus, and discrete connections.Comment: 38 pages, 11 figures. Fixed labels in figure

A Generalized Montgomery Phase Formula for Rotating Self Deforming Bodies

We study the motion of self deforming bodies with non zero angular momentum when the changing shape is known as a function of time. The conserved angular momentum with respect to the center of mass, when seen from a rotating frame, describes a curve on a sphere as it happens for the rigid body motion, though obeying a more complicated non-autonomous equation. We observe that if, after time $\Delta T$, this curve is simple and closed, the deforming body \'{}s orientation in space is fully characterized by an angle or phase $\theta_{M}$. We also give a reconstruction formula for this angle which generalizes R. Montgomery\'{}s well known formula for the rigid body phase. Finally, we apply these techniques to obtain analytical results on the motion of deforming bodies in some concrete examples.Comment: 20 page

Fefferman's mapping theorem on almost complex manifolds

We give a necessary and sufficient condition for the smooth extension of a diffeomorphism between smooth strictly pseudoconvex domains in four real dimensional almost complex manifolds. The proof is mainly based on a reflection principle for pseudoholomorphic discs, on precise estimates of the Kobayashi-Royden infinitesimal pseudometric and on the scaling method in almost complex manifolds