A note on the higher Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index theorem on Galois coverings

Let $Gamma$ be a finitely generated discrete group satisfying the rapid decay condition. We give a new proof of the higher Atiyah-Patodi-Singer theorem on a Galois $Gamma$-coverings, thus providing an explicit formula for the higher index associated to a group cocycle $cin Z^k (Gamma;mathbb{C})$ which is of polynomial growth with respect to a word-metric. Our new proof employs relative K-theory and relative cyclic cohomology in an essential way.

The surgery exact sequence, K-theory and the signature operator

The main result of this paper is a new and direct proof of the natural transformation from the surgery exact sequence in topology to the analytic K-theory sequence of Higson and Roe. Our approach makes crucial use of analytic properties and new index theorems for the signature operator on Galois coverings with boundary. These are of independent interest and form the second main theme of the paper. The main technical novelty is the use of large scale index theory for Dirac type operators that are perturbed by lower order operators.

Eta cocycles, relative pairings and the Godbillon-Vey index theorem

We prove a Godbillon-Vey index formula for longitudinal Dirac operators on a foliated bundle with boundary; in particular, we define a Godbillon-Vey eta invariant on the boundary-foliation; this is a secondary invariant for longitudinal Dirac operators on type-III foliations. Moreover, employing the Godbillon-Vey index as a pivotal example, we explain a new approach to higher index theory on geometric structures with boundary. This is heavily based on the interplay between the absolute and relative pairings of K-theory and cyclic cohomology for an exact sequence of Banach algebras which in the present context takes the form $0to Jto Ato Bto 0$, with J dense and holomorphically closed in the C^*-algebra of the foliation and B depending only on boundary data. Of particular importance is the definition of a relative cyclic cocycle $(tau_{GV}^r,sigma_{GV})$ for the pair $Ato B$; $tau_{GV}^r$ is a cyclic cochain on A defined through a regularization, `a la Melrose, of the usual Godbillon-Vey cyclic cocycle $tau_{GV}$; $sigma_{GV}$ is a cyclic cocycle on B, obtained through a suspension procedure involving $tau_{GV}$ and a specific 1-cyclic cocycle (Roes 1-cocycle). We call $sigma_{GV}$ the eta cocycle associated to $tau_{GV}$. The Atiyah-Patodi-Singer formula is obtained by defining a relative index class $Ind (D,D^partial)in K_* (A,B)$ and establishing the equality <Ind (D),[tau_{GV}]>=<Ind (D,D^partial), [tau^r_{GV}, sigma_{GV}]>$. The Godbillon-Vey eta invariant $eta_{GV}$ is obtained through the eta cocycle $sigma_{GV}$.

Eta cocycles

We announce a Godbillon-Vey index formula for longitudinal Dirac operators on a foliated bundle $(X,F)$ with boundary; in particular, we define a Godbillon-Vey eta invariant on the boundary foliation, that is, a secondary invariant for longitudinal Dirac operators on type III foliations. Our theorem generalizes the classic Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index formula for $(X,F)$. Moreover, employing the Godbillon-Vey index as a pivotal example, we explain a new approach to higher index theory on geometric structures with boundary. This is heavily based on the interplay between the absolute and relative pairing of $K$-theory and cyclic cohomology for an exact sequence of Banach algebras, which in the present context takes the form $0to J to A to B to 0$ with J dense and holomorphically closed in the C^*-algebra of the foliation and B depending only on boundary data.