In this volume, the geometry of spherical space form groups is studied using the eta invariant. The author reviews the analytical properties of the eta invariant of Atiyah-Patodi-Singer and describes how the eta invariant gives rise to torsion invariants in both K-theory and equivariant bordism. The eta invariant is used to compute the K-theory of spherical space forms, and to study the equivariant unitary bordism of spherical space forms and the Pinc and Spinc equivariant bordism groups for spherical space form groups. This leads to a complete structure theorem for these bordism and K-theory groups.There is a deep relationship between topology and analysis with differential geometry serving as the bridge. This book is intended to serve as an introduction to this subject for people from different research backgrounds.This book is intended as a research monograph for people who are not experts in all the areas discussed. It is written for topologists wishing to understand some of the analytic details and for analysists wishing to understand some of the topological ideas. It is also intended as an introduction to the field for graduate students.

This volume focuses on discussing the interplay between the analysis, as exemplified by the eta invariant and other spectral invariants, the number theory, as exemplified by the relevant Dedekind sums and Rademacher reciprocity, the algebraic topology, as exemplified by the equivariant bordism groups, K-theory groups, and connective K-theory groups, and the geometry of spherical space forms, as exemplified by the Smith homomorphism. These are used to study the existence of metrics of positive scalar curvature on spin manifolds of dimension at least 5 whose fundamental group is a spherical space form group.This volume is a completely rewritten revision of the first edition. The underlying organization is modified to provide a better organized and more coherent treatment of the material involved. In addition, approximately 100 pages have been added to study the existence of metrics of positive scalar curvature on spin manifolds of dimension at least 5 whose fundamental group is a spherical space form group. We have chosen to focus on the geometric aspect of the theory rather than more abstract algebraic constructions (like the assembly map) and to restrict our attention to spherical space forms rather than more general and more complicated geometrical examples to avoid losing contact with the fundamental geometry which is involved.

This cutting-edge, standard-setting text explores the spectral geometry of Riemannian submersions. Working for the most part with the form valued Laplacian in the class of smooth compact manifolds without boundary, the authors study the relationship-if any-between the spectrum of Dp on Y and Dp on Z, given that Dp is the p form valued Laplacian and pi: Z ® Y is a Riemannian submersion. After providing the necessary background, including basic differential geometry and a discussion of Laplace type operators, the authors address rigidity theorems. They establish conditions that ensure that the pull back of every eigenform on Y is an eigenform on Z so the eigenvalues do not change, then show that if a single eigensection is preserved, the eigenvalues do not change for the scalar or Bochner Laplacians. For the form valued Laplacian, they show that if an eigenform is preserved, then the corresponding eigenvalue can only increase. They generalize these results to the complex setting as well. However, the spinor setting is quite different. For a manifold with non-trivial boundary and imposed Neumann boundary conditions, the result is surprising-the eigenvalues can change. Although this is a relatively rare phenomenon, the authors give examples-a circle bundle or, more generally, a principal bundle with structure group G where the first cohomology group H1(G;R) is non trivial. They show similar results in the complex setting, show that eigenvalues can decrease in the spinor setting, and offer a list of unsolved problems in this area. Moving to some related topics involving questions of positive curvature, for the first time in mathematical literature the authors establish a link between the spectral geometry of Riemannian submersions and the Gromov-Lawson conjecture. Spectral Geometry, Riemannian Submersions, and the Gromov-Lawson Conjecture addresses a hot research area and promises to set a standard for the field. Researchers and applied mathematicians interested in mathematical physics and relativity will find this work both fascinating and important.

The series is aimed specifically at publishing peer reviewed reviews and contributions presented at workshops and conferences. Each volume is associated with a particular conference, symposium or workshop. These events cover various topics within pure and applied mathematics and provide up-to-date coverage of new developments, methods and applications.

In the series of volumes which together will constitute the Handbook of Differential Geometry a rather complete survey of the field of differential geometry is given. 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.

A very clear account of the subject from the viewpoints of elementary geometry, Riemannian geometry and group theory – a book with no rival in the literature. Mostly accessible to first-year students in mathematics, the book also includes very recent results which will be of interest to researchers in this field.