This text examines the Atiyah-Singer theorem using the heat equation, which gives a local formula for the index of any elliptic complex. Heat equation methods are also used to discuss Lefschetz fixed point formulas, the Gauss-Bonnet theorem for a manifold with smooth boundary, and the geometrical theorem for a manifold with smooth boundary. The book presents a careful treatment of non-self-adjoint operators, asymptotics of the heat equation and variational formulas. It also introduces spectral geometry and provides a list of asymptotic formulas. The bibliography has been complied by Herbert Schroeder.

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.

A central area of study in Differential Geometry is the examination of the relationship between the purely algebraic properties of the Riemann curvature tensor and the underlying geometric properties of the manifold. In this book, the findings of numerous investigations in this field of study are reviewed and presented in a clear, coherent form, including the latest developments and proofs. Even though many authors have worked in this area in recent years, many fundamental questions still remain unanswered. Many studies begin by first working purely algebraically and then later progressing onto the geometric setting and it has been found that many questions in differential geometry can be phrased as problems involving the geometric realization of curvature. Curvature decompositions are central to all investigations in this area. The authors present numerous results including the Singer-Thorpe decomposition, the Bokan decomposition, the Nikcevic decomposition, the Tricerri-Vanhecke decomposition, the Gray-Hervella decomposition and the De Smedt decomposition. They then proceed to draw appropriate geometric conclusions from these decompositions.The book organizes, in one coherent volume, the results of research completed by many different investigators over the past 30 years. Complete proofs are given of results that are often only outlined in the original publications. Whereas the original results are usually in the positive definite (Riemannian setting), here the authors extend the results to the pseudo-Riemannian setting and then further, in a complex framework, to para-Hermitian geometry as well. In addition to that, new results are obtained as well, making this an ideal text for anyone wishing to further their knowledge of the science of curvature.