A bigraded version of the Weil algebra and of the Weil homomorphism for Donaldson invariants

We describe a bigraded generalization of the Weil algebra, of its basis and of the characteristic homomorphism which besides ordinary characteristic classes also maps on Donaldson invariants.Comment: 19 page

Connections on central bimodules

We define and study the theory of derivation-based connections on a recently introduced class of bimodules over an algebra which reduces to the category of modules whenever the algebra is commutative. This theory contains, in particular, a noncommutative generalization of linear connections. We also discuss the different noncommutative versions of differential forms based on derivations. Then we investigate reality conditions and a noncommutative generalization of pseudo-riemannian structures.Comment: 27 pages, AMS-LaTe

Some aspects of noncommutative differential geometry

We discuss in some generality aspects of noncommutative differential geometry associated with reality conditions and with differential calculi. We then describe the differential calculus based on derivations as generalization of vector fields, and we show its relations with quantum mechanics. Finally we formulate a general theory of connections in this framework.Comment: 27 pages, AMS-LaTeX, LPTHE-ORSAY 95/7

Connes' Model Building Kit

Alain Connes' applications of non-commutative geometry to interaction physics are described for the purpose of model building.Comment: 35 pages, LATeX, CPT-93/P.296

Moduli space and structure of noncommutative 3-spheres

We analyse the moduli space and the structure of noncommutative 3-spheres. We develop the notion of central quadratic form for quadratic algebras, and prove a general algebraic result which considerably refines the classical homomorphism from a quadratic algebra to a cross-product algebra associated to the characteristic variety and lands in a richer cross-product. It allows to control the $C^\ast$-norm on involutive quadratic algebras and to construct the differential calculus in the desired generality. The moduli space of noncommutative 3-spheres is identified with equivalence classes of pairs of points in a symmetric spaceof unitary unimodular symmetric matrices. The scaling foliation of the moduli space is identified to the gradient flow of the character of a virtual representation of SO(6). Its generic orbits are connected components of real parts of elliptic curves which form a net of biquadratic curves with 8 points in common. We show that generically these curves are the same as the characteristic variety of the associated quadratic algebra. We then apply the general theory of central quadratic forms to show that the noncommutative 3-spheres admit a natural ramified covering $\pi$ by a noncommutative 3-dimensional nilmanifold. This yields the differential calculus. We then compute the Jacobian of the ramified covering $\pi$ by pairing the direct image of the fundamental class of the noncommutative 3--dimensional nilmanifold with the Chern character of the defining unitary and obtain the answer as the product of a period (of an elliptic integral) by a rational function...Comment: 50 pages. References adde

Linear connections on matrix geometries

A general definition of a linear connection in noncommutative geometry has been recently proposed. Two examples are given of linear connections in noncommutative geometries which are based on matrix algebras. They both possess a unique metric connection.Comment: 14p, LPTHE-ORSAY 94/9

General Solution of the Consistency Equation

We produce the general solution of the Wess-Zumino consistency condition for gauge theories of the Yang-mills type, for any ghost number and form degree. We resolve the problem of the cohomological independence of these solutions. In other words we fully describe the local version of the cohomology of the BRS operator, modulo the differential on space--time. This in particular includes the presence of external fields and non--trivial topologies of space--time.Comment: 11 pages, Latex file, PAR-LPTHE 92/1