Geometric and Extensor Algebras and the Differential Geometry of Arbitrary Manifolds

We give in this paper which is the third in a series of four a theory of covariant derivatives of representatives of multivector and extensor fields on an arbitrary open set U of M, based on the geometric and extensor calculus on an arbitrary smooth manifold M. This is done by introducing the notion of a connection extensor field gamma defining a parallelism structure on U, which represents in a well defined way the action on U of the restriction there of some given connection del defined on M. Also we give a novel and intrinsic presentation (i.e., one that does not depend on a chosen orthonormal moving frame) of the torsion and curvature fields of Cartan's theory. Two kinds of Cartan's connection operator fields are identified, and both appear in the intrinsic Cartan's structure equations satisfied by the Cartan's torsion and curvature extensor fields. We introduce moreover a metrical extensor g in U corresponding to the restriction there of given metric tensor \slg defined on M and also introduce the concept a geometric structure (U,gamma,g) for U and study metric compatibility of covariant derivatives induced by the connection extensor gamma. This permits the presentation of the concept of gauge (deformed) derivatives which satisfy noticeable properties useful in differential geometry and geometrical theories of the gravitational field. Several derivatives operators in metric and geometrical structures, like ordinary and covariant Hodge coderivatives and some duality identities are exhibit.Comment: This paper is an improved version of material contained in math.DG/0501560, math.DG/0501561, math.DG/050200