Describes, explains, and explores the Index Theorem of Atiyah and Singer, one of the truly great accomplishments of twentieth-century mathematics whose influence continues to grow, fifty years after its discovery. David Bleecker and Bernhelm Boo�-Bavnbek give two proofs of the Atiyah-Singer Index Theorem in impressive detail: one based on K-theory and the other on the heat kernel approach.

The Motivation. With intensified use of mathematical ideas, the methods and techniques of the various sciences and those for the solution of practical problems demand of the mathematician not only greater readi ness for extra-mathematical applications but also more comprehensive orientations within mathematics. In applications, it is frequently less important to draw the most far-reaching conclusions from a single mathe matical idea than to cover a subject or problem area tentatively by a proper "variety" of mathematical theories. To do this the mathematician must be familiar with the shared as weIl as specific features of differ ent mathematical approaches, and must have experience with their inter connections. The Atiyah-Singer Index Formula, "one of the deepest and hardest results in mathematics", "probably has wider ramifications in topology and analysis than any other single result" (F. Hirzebruch) and offers perhaps a particularly fitting example for such an introduction to "Mathematics": In spi te of i ts difficulty and immensely rich interrela tions, the realm of the Index Formula can be delimited, and thus its ideas and methods can be made accessible to students in their middle * semesters. In fact, the Atiyah-Singer Index Formula has become progressively "easier" and "more transparent" over the years. The discovery of deeper and more comprehensive applications (see Chapter 111. 4) brought with it, not only a vigorous exploration of its methods particularly in the many facetted and always new presentations of the material by M. F.

Index theory studies the solutions to differential equations on geometric spaces, their relation to the underlying geometry and topology, and applications to physics. If the space of solutions is infinite dimensional, it becomes necessary to generalise the classical Fredholm index using tools from the K-theory of operator algebras. This leads to higher index theory, a rapidly developing subject with connections to noncommutative geometry, large-scale geometry, manifold topology and geometry, and operator algebras. Aimed at geometers, topologists and operator algebraists, this book takes a friendly and concrete approach to this exciting theory, focusing on the main conjectures in the area and their applications outside of it. A well-balanced combination of detailed introductory material (with exercises), cutting-edge developments and references to the wider literature make this a valuable guide to this active area for graduate students and experts alike.

Expert treatment introduces semi-Riemannian geometry and its principal physical application, Einstein's theory of general relativity, using the Cartan exterior calculus as a principal tool. Prerequisites include linear algebra and advanced calculus. 2012 edition.

A self-contained, mathematical introduction to the driving ideas in equilibrium statistical mechanics, studying important models in detail.

For closed manifolds, there is a highly elaborated theory of number-valued invariants, attached to the underlying manifold, structures and differential operators. On open manifolds, nearly all of this fails, with the exception of some special classes. The goal of this monograph is to establish for open manifolds, structures and differential operators an applicable theory of number-valued relative invariants. This is of great use in the theory of moduli spaces for nonlinear partial differential equations and mathematical physics. The book is self-contained: in particular, it contains an outline of the necessary tools from nonlinear Sobolev analysis.

For physics students interested in the mathematics they use, and for math students interested in seeing how some of the ideas of their discipline find realization in an applied setting. The presentation strikes a balance between formalism and application, between abstract and concrete. The interconnections among the various topics are clarified both by the use of vector spaces as a central unifying theme, recurring throughout the book, and by putting ideas into their historical context. Enough of the essential formalism is included to make the presentation self-contained.

Differential Forms in Mathematical Physics

An engagingly-written account of mathematical tools and ideas, this book provides a graduate-level introduction to the mathematics used in research in physics. The first half of the book focuses on the traditional mathematical methods of physics – differential and integral equations, Fourier series and the calculus of variations. The second half contains an introduction to more advanced subjects, including differential geometry, topology and complex variables. The authors' exposition avoids excess rigor whilst explaining subtle but important points often glossed over in more elementary texts. The topics are illustrated at every stage by carefully chosen examples, exercises and problems drawn from realistic physics settings. These make it useful both as a textbook in advanced courses and for self-study. Password-protected solutions to the exercises are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521854030.