This book gives a self-contained fundamental study of the subject. Besides the following special features it contains the author's detailed solution to the long-standing unsolved problem in the theory of complex manifolds: Does there exist a complex structure on the six-sphere? The special features of the book are: a classification of almost complex (and similarly, almost Hermitian) structures together with inclusion relations; discussions about various known almost Hermitian structures; a necessary and sufficient condition for a general almost Hermitian manifold to have constant holomorphic sectional (or bisectional) curvature and similar conditions for various special almost Hermitian manifolds; some complex Laplacians together with some of their relationships with the real Laplacian; the spectral geometry of Riemannian manifolds and some general almost Hermitian manifolds including K„hlerian manifolds as a special case; conditions for an almost complex structure to be a complex structure; some vanishing theorems for Riemannian and almost Hermitian manifolds.

The geometry of almost complex structures is fundamentally concerned with complex analysis and also mathematical physics. In view of the increasing interest in almost complex structures, this volume will be useful in future studies of geometry and complex analysis, and related fields.

Annotation This self-contained and relatively elementary introduction to functions of several complex variables and complex (especially compact) manifolds is intended to be a synthesis of those topics and a broad introduction to the field. Part I is suitable for advanced undergraduates and beginning postgraduates whilst Part II is written more for the graduate student. The work as a whole will be useful to professional mathematicians or mathematical physicists who wish to acquire a working knowledge of this area of mathematics. Many exercises have been included and indeed they form an integral part of the text. The prerequisites for understanding Part I would be met by any mathematics student with a first degree and together the two parts provide an introduction to the more advanced works in the subject.

In the series of volumes which together will constitute the "Handbook of Differential Geometry" we try to give a rather complete survey of the field of differential geometry. The different chapters will both deal with the basic material of differential geometry and with research results (old and recent).All chapters are written by experts in the area and contain a large bibliography. In this second volume a wide range of areas in the very broad field of differential geometry is discussed, as there are Riemannian geometry, Lorentzian geometry, Finsler geometry, symplectic geometry, contact geometry, complex geometry, Lagrange geometry and the geometry of foliations. Although this does not cover the whole of differential geometry, the reader will be provided with an overview of some its most important areas.. Written by experts and covering recent research. Extensive bibliography. Dealing with a diverse range of areas. Starting from the basics

Carefully documenting the different formulations of general relativity, the author reveals valuable insight into the nature of the gravitational force and its interaction with matter. This book will interest graduate students and researchers in the fields of general relativity, gravitational physics and differential geometry.

Modern approaches to the study of symplectic 4-manifolds and algebraic surfaces combine a wide range of techniques and sources of inspiration. Gauge theory, symplectic geometry, pseudoholomorphic curves, singularity theory, moduli spaces, braid groups, monodromy, in addition to classical topology and algebraic geometry, combine to make this one of the most vibrant and active areas of research in mathematics. It is our hope that the five lectures of the present volume given at the C.I.M.E. Summer School held in Cetraro, Italy, September 2-10, 2003 will be useful to people working in related areas of mathematics and will become standard references on these topics. The volume is a coherent exposition of an active field of current research focusing on the introduction of new methods for the study of moduli spaces of complex structures on algebraic surfaces, and for the investigation of symplectic topology in dimension 4 and higher.

This book is divided into fourteen chapters, with 18 appendices as introduction to prerequisite topological and algebraic knowledge, etc. The first seven chapters focus on local analysis. This part can be used as a fundamental textbook for graduate students of theoretical physics. Chapters 8-10 discuss geometry on fibre bundles, which facilitates further reference for researchers. The last four chapters deal with the Atiyah-Singer index theorem, its generalization and its application, quantum anomaly, cohomology field theory and noncommutative geometry, giving the reader a glimpse of the frontier of current research in theoretical physics.

Written by physicists for physics students, this text assumes no detailed background in topology or geometry. Topics include differential forms, homotopy, homology, cohomology, fiber bundles, connection and covariant derivatives, and Morse theory. 1983 edition.

Based on lectures held at the 7th Villa de Leyva summer school, this book presents an introduction to topics of current interest in the interface of geometry, topology and physics. It is aimed at graduate students in physics or mathematics with interests in geometric, algebraic as well as topological methods and their applications to quantum field theory.This volume contains the written notes corresponding to lectures given by experts in the field. They cover current topics of research in a way that is suitable for graduate students of mathematics or physics interested in the recent developments and interactions between geometry, topology and physics. The book also contains contributions by younger participants, displaying the ample range of topics treated in the school. A key feature of the present volume is the provision of a pedagogical presentation of rather advanced topics, in a way which is suitable for both mathematicians and physicists.

Over the last number of years powerful new methods in analysis and topology have led to the development of the modern global theory of symplectic topology, including several striking and important results. This new third edition of a classic book in the feild includes updates and new material to bring the material right up-to-date.