Nonzero degree tangential maps between dual symmetric spaces

We construct a tangential map from a locally symmetric space of noncompact type to its dual compact type twin. By comparing the induced map in cohomology to a map defined by Matsushima, we conclude that in the equal rank case the map has a nonzero degree.Comment: Published by Algebraic and Geometric Topology at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/agt/AGTVol1/agt-1-35.abs.htm

Linear semigroups with coarsely dense orbits

Let $S$ be a finitely generated abelian semigroup of invertible linear operators on a finite dimensional real or complex vector space $V$. We show that every coarsely dense orbit of $S$ is actually dense in $V$. More generally, if the orbit contains a coarsely dense subset of some open cone $C$ in $V$ then the closure of the orbit contains the closure of $C$. In the complex case the orbit is then actually dense in $V$. For the real case we give precise information about the possible cases for the closure of the orbit.Comment: We added comments and remarks at various places. 14 page

Degree theorems and Lipschitz simplicial volume for non-positively curved manifolds of finite volume

We study a metric version of the simplicial volume on Riemannian manifolds, the Lipschitz simplicial volume, with applications to degree theorems in mind. We establish a proportionality principle and a product inequality from which we derive an extension of Gromov's volume comparison theorem to products of negatively curved manifolds or locally symmetric spaces of non-compact type. In contrast, we provide vanishing results for the ordinary simplicial volume; for instance, we show that the ordinary simplicial volume of non-compact locally symmetric spaces with finite volume of Q-rank at least 3 is zero.Comment: 33 pages; corrected the vanishing result (and adapted Section 5 accordingly), minor expository changes in the introductio

Indices of quaternionic complexes

Methods of parabolic geometries have been recently used to construct a class of elliptic complexes on quaternionic manifolds, the Salamon's complex being the simplest case. The purpose of this paper is to describe an algorithm how to compute their analytical indices in terms of characteristic classes. Using this, we are able to derive some topological obstructions to existence of quaternionic structures on manifolds.Comment: 14 page

On the bounded cohomology of semi-simple groups, S-arithmetic groups and products

We prove vanishing results for Lie groups and algebraic groups (over any local field) in bounded cohomology. The main result is a vanishing below twice the rank for semi-simple groups. Related rigidity results are established for S-arithmetic groups and groups over global fields. We also establish vanishing and cohomological rigidity results for products of general locally compact groups and their lattices

A geometric proof that SL_2(Z[t,t^-1]) is not finitely presented

We give a new proof of the theorem of Krstic-McCool from the title. Our proof has potential applications to the study of finiteness properties of other subgroups of SL_2 resulting from rings of functions on curves.Comment: This is the version published by Algebraic & Geometric Topology on 11 July 200

Probing the Scattering of Equivalent Electroweak Bosons

We analyze the kinematic conditions under which the scattering of equivalent massive spin-1 vector bosons factorizes out of the complete process. In practice, we derive the conditions for the validity of the effective W approximation, proposed long ago but never established on a firm basis. We also present a parametric estimate of the corrections to the approximation and explicitly check its validity in two examples.Comment: 36 pages, 14 figures, references adde

On the Eisenstein cohomology of odd orthogonal groups

The paper investigates a significant part of the automorphic, in fact of the so-called Eisenstein cohomology of split odd orthogonal groups over Q. The main result provides a description of residual and regular Eisenstein cohomology classes for maximal parabolic Q-subgroups in case of generic cohomological cuspidal automorphic representations of their Levi subgroups. That is, such identifying necessary conditions on these latter representations as well as on the complex parameters in order for the associated Eisenstein series to possibly yield non-trivial classes in the automorphic cohomology.Comment: 21 pages, some minor corrections made, journal reference adde