Twisted KK-theory

Twisted complex $K$-theory can be defined for a space $X$ equipped with a bundle of complex projective spaces, or, equivalently, with a bundle of C$^*$-algebras. Up to equivalence, the twisting corresponds to an element of $H^3(X;\Z)$. We give a systematic account of the definition and basic properties of the twisted theory, emphasizing some points where it behaves differently from ordinary $K$-theory. (We omit, however, its relations to classical cohomology, which we shall treat in a sequel.) We develop an equivariant version of the theory for the action of a compact Lie group, proving that then the twistings are classified by the equivariant cohomology group $H^3_G(X;\Z)$. We also consider some basic examples of twisted $K$-theory classes, related to those appearing in the recent work of Freed-Hopkins-Teleman.Comment: 49 pages;some minor corrections have been made to the earlier versio

Anyons in Geometric Models of Matter

We show that the "geometric models of matter" approach proposed by the first author can be used to construct models of anyon quasiparticles with fractional quantum numbers, using 4-dimensional edge-cone orbifold geometries with orbifold singularities along embedded 2-dimensional surfaces. The anyon states arise through the braid representation of surface braids wrapped around the orbifold singularities, coming from multisections of the orbifold normal bundle of the embedded surface. We show that the resulting braid representations can give rise to a universal quantum computer.Comment: 22 pages LaTe