Real secondary index theory

In this paper, we study the family index of a family of spin manifolds. In particular, we discuss to which extend the real index (of the Dirac operator of the real spinor bundle if the fiber dimension is divisible by 8) which can be defined in this case contains extra information over the complex index (the index of its complexification). We study this question under the additional assumption that the complex index vanishes on the k-skeleton of B. In this case, using local index theory we define new analytical invariants \hat c_k\in H^{k-1}(B;\reals/\integers). We then continue and describe these invariants in terms of known topological characteristic classes. Moreover, we show that it is an interesting new non-trivial invariant in many examples.Comment: LaTeX2e, 56 pages; v2: final version to appear in ATG, typos fixed, statement of 4.5.5 improve

Orbifold index and equivariant K-homology

We consider a invariant Dirac operator D on a manifold with a proper and cocompact action of a discrete group G. It gives rise to an equivariant K-homology class [D]. We show how the index of the induced orbifold Dirac operator can be calculated from [D] via the assembly map. We further derive a formula for this index in terms of the contributions of finite cyclic subgroups of G. According to results of W. Lueck, the equivariant K-homology can rationally be decomposed as a direct sum of contributions of finite cyclic subgroups of G. Our index formula thus leads to an explicit decomposition of the class [D].Comment: minor correction in Sec.3.

Foliated manifolds, algebraic K-theory, and a secondary invariant

We introduce a $\mathbb{C}/\mathbb{Z}$-valued invariant of a foliated manifold with a stable framing and with a partially flat vector bundle. This invariant can be expressed in terms of integration in differential $K$-theory, or alternatively, in terms of $\eta$-invariants of Dirac operators and local correction terms. Initially, the construction of the element in $\mathbb{C}/\mathbb{Z}$ involves additional choices. But if the codimension of the foliation is sufficiently small, then this element is independent of these choices and therefore an invariant of the data listed above. We show that the invariant comprises various classical invariants like Adams' $e$-invariant, the $\rho$-invariant of twisted Dirac operators, or the Godbillon-Vey invariant from foliation theory. Using methods from differential cohomology theory we construct a regulator map from the algebraic $K$-theory of smooth functions on a manifold to its connective $K$-theory with $\mathbb{C}/\mathbb{Z}$ coefficients. Our main result is a formula for the invariant in terms of this regulator and integration in algebraic and topological $K$-theory.Comment: 58 pages (typos corrected, references added, small improvements of presentation