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1 vote
1 answer
200 views

Sign of the permutation when I show that $\star{\star w}= (-1)^{n(n-k)} w$ for the Hodge operator

Let $w=\sum_{I} a_{I}dx_{I}$ be a $k$-form in $\Bbb R ^n$. Let us consider the Hodge operator in a combinatorial form, i.e. as an $(n-k)$ form such that $$\star(dx_{i_{1}} \wedge \dotsb \wedge dx_{i_{...
2 votes
0 answers
103 views

What $1$-forms $\theta$ solve $\Delta \theta = f\theta$ for a smooth function $f$?

I have a seemingly basic question that I cannot find any literature on. Let $(M,g)$ be a smooth Riemannian manifold and let $\Delta:\Omega^1(M) \to \Omega^1(M)$ be the Laplace-De Rham operator on $1$-...
2 votes
1 answer
199 views

Decomposition of forms on a Spin$(7)$ manifold

Let's take a $G_2$ manifold $(M,\Phi)$, then we get a Spin$(7)$ manifold by taking $(M\times\mathbb{R},\Psi:=\Phi\wedge dt+*_M\Phi),$ where $t$ is the coordinate in the $\mathbb{R}$-direction. $\Phi\...
3 votes
0 answers
67 views

Combinatorial approximation to the integral of a form?

This is a bit of a followup to my previous question Intuition for the volume form - combinatorial definition?. I am looking for a certain combinatorial intuition when it comes to integrating ...
1 vote
1 answer
90 views

A curve in the bundle of two forms

Let $(M,g)$ be a closed Riemannian manifold. Fix a point $m\in M$ and a $2$-form $\omega$ at $m.$ Take a curve $\gamma$ in $M$ such that $\gamma(0)=m.$ Now we can get a $2$-form along $\gamma$ by ...
3 votes
6 answers
2k views

The purpose of connections in differential geometry [closed]

I am currently reading through differential geometry as a mathematics graduate. Can somebody give me a brief explainer on the purpose of connections? I could also use explainers on differential forms. ...
1 vote
0 answers
77 views

How does one interpret the wetting area?

This may be a simple question, but I decided to post it here (not just on MSE) because it is very related to a research topic: capillary surfaces. Let $(M^3,g)$ be a Riemannian $3$-manifold with ...
2 votes
1 answer
233 views

When is this differential form harmonic?

Let $(M^3, g)$ be a (closed) Riemannian manifold and let $u: M \to S$ be a harmonic function, where $S$ is a closed orientable surface. If $\omega$ is a $2$-form on $S$, what are sufficient conditions ...
2 votes
0 answers
137 views

Heat-Flow on continuous differential forms and the Feller peroperty

Let (M,g) be a complete Riemannian manifold. It is well known that the Laplace operator is essentially self-adjoint on $C^\infty_c(M)$. This extends to the (de Rahm) Laplace operator on forms. Thus in ...
5 votes
0 answers
114 views

On boundary-value problems for differential forms on a manifold

Let $M$ be a simply-connected $d$-dimensional Riemannian manifold with boundary (for simplicity assume a ball). Consider the boundary value problem for $\omega\in\Omega^k(M)$, $$ d\omega = \alpha \...
2 votes
1 answer
201 views

Vanishing product of a closed and coclosed form on a Riemannian manifold

For a (compact) Riemannian manifold $(M,g)$, can it happen that for a non-zero form $\text{d}^*\omega$, and a smooth function $f$ such that $\text{d}f \neq 0$, we can have $$ \text{d}f \wedge \text{d}^...