The differential topology of loop spaces

A set of coordinates in the non parametric loop-space is introduced. We show that these coordinates transform under infinite dimensional linear representations of the diffeomorphism group. An extension of the group of loops in terms of these objects is proposed. The enlarged group behaves locally as an infinite dimensional Lie group. Ordinary loops form a subgroup of this group. The algebraic properties of this new mathematical structure are analized in detail. Applications o...

We consider the problem of defining the structure of a smooth manifold on the various spaces of piecewise-smooth loops in a smooth finite dimensional manifold. We succeed for a particular type of piecewise-smooth loops. We also examine the action of the diffeomorphism group of the circle. It is not a useful action on the manifold that we define. We consider how one might fix this problem and conclude that it can only be done by completing to the space of loops of bounded va...

This text arises from teaching advanced undergraduate courses in differential topology for the master curriculum in Mathematics at the University of Pisa. So it is mainly addressed to motivated and collaborative master undergraduate students, having nevertheless a limited mathematical background. Overall this text is a collection of themes, in some cases advanced and of historical importance, with the common feature that they can be treated with "bare hands". This means by ju...

We provide a concise and accessible introduction to (geometric) string structures, highlighting their connection to loop spaces and outlining relationships with neighboring topics.

We consider the general problem of constructing the structure of a smooth manifold on a given space of loops in a smooth finite dimensional manifold. By generalising the standard construction for smooth loops, we derive a list of conditions for the model space which, if satisfied, mean that a smooth structure exists. We also show how various desired properties can be derived from the model space; for example, topological properties such as paracompactness. We pay particular...

A survey of real differential geometry and loop theory is given in order to introduce the construction of an analytic loop associated to p-adic differential manifold.

We develop further the approach to derived differential geometry introduced in Costello's work on the Witten genus. In particular, we introduce several new examples of L-infinity spaces, discuss vector bundles and shifted symplectic structures on L-infinity spaces, and examine in some detail the example of derived loop spaces. This paper is background for a companion paper, in which we define a quantum field theory on a derived stack, building upon Costello's definition of an...

We review and then combine two aspects of the theory of bundle gerbes. The first concerns lifting bundle gerbes and connections on those, developed by Murray and Gomi. Lifting gerbes represent obstructions against extending the structure group of a principal bundle. The second is the transgression of gerbes to loop spaces, initiated by Brylinski and McLaughlin and with recent contributions of the author. Combining these two aspects, we obtain a new formulation of lifting prob...

These informal notes discuss a few basic notions and examples, with emphasis on constructions that may be relevant for analysis on metric spaces.

Given a manifold $M$ and a proper sub-bundle $\Delta\subset TM$, we study homotopy properties of the horizontal base-point free loop space $\Lambda$, i.e. the space of absolutely continuous maps $\gamma:S^1\to M$ whose velocities are constrained to $\Delta$ (for example: legendrian knots in a contact manifold). A key technical ingredient for our study is the proof that the base-point map $F:\Lambda \to M$ (the map associating to every loop its base-point) is a Hurewicz fibr...