Questions tagged [smooth-manifolds]
Smooth manifolds and smooth functions between them. For manifolds with additional structure, see more specific tags, such as [riemannian-geometry]. For more topological aspects, see [differential-topology].
1,234
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Identifying two definitions of orientation on a vector space
Let $V$ be an $n$-dimensional real vector space. Here are two definitions of an orientation on $V$:
A generator of the $1$-dimensional vector space $\wedge^n V$, up to multiplication by positive ...
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1
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86
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Naturality of Lie bracket - alternate proof
Let $M$ and $N$ be smooth manifolds, and let $F: M \to N$ be a smooth map. Let $X$ and $Y$ be vector fields on $M$, and let $\tilde{X}$ and $\tilde{Y}$ be vector fields on $N$. We say that $X$ and $\...
3
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72
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Example of a groupoid internal to the category of smooth manifolds that is not a Lie groupoid
This questions is about the distinction between:
Lie groupoids: we require source and target maps to be submersions. This implies that the domain of the composition map, $G_1 \;{}_s\!\times_t G_1$, ...
2
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42
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Under what conditions principal directions define an integrable distribution?
Consider a hypersurface $M^n \subset \mathbb{R}^{n+1}$ which is compact without boundary. Assume that its second fundamental form $A$ has distinct eigenvalues $\lambda_1<\ldots<\lambda_k$ (with $...
2
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$$ \left(\frac{\text{Man}^{\text{fr}}}{\text{Cobordism}},\coprod,\times \right)\simeq \left((\text{Fin}^{\simeq},\coprod)^{\text{gp}},\times\right)?$$ [closed]
If we combine a theorem of Pontryagin and the Barratt-Priddy-Quillen theorem we get that both sides of
$$
\left(\frac{\mathrm{Man}^{\mathrm{fr}}}{\mathrm{Cobordism}},\coprod,\times \right)\simeq \left(...
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0
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71
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Metric of negative curvature on connected sum
Let $(M_1,g_1)$ and $(M_2,g_2)$ be two Riemannian manifolds of dimension $n\geq 2$. If we consider the connected sum $M=M_1\mathbin{\#}M_2$ of the two manifolds; can one get a smooth metric $g$ on $M$ ...
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118
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Why does the bordism category have duals?
The proof of the Cobordism Hypothesis outlined by Lurie seems to assume that the $(\infty, n)$-category $\mathbf{Bord}_n^{(X, \zeta)}$ has duals, i.e. duals for objects and adjoints for all $k$-...
2
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1
answer
156
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Order of a loop around a cone point
Let $M$ be a connected orientable two-dimensional orbifold with only cone points as singular points. Assume that $M$ has genus $\geq 1$. Let $\alpha$ be a loop around an order $p$ cone point. Can we ...
4
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289
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Milnor’s smoothed corners technique for a product of manifolds with boundary and boundary defining functions
Let $M$ be a smooth manifold that we view as the interior of a compact manifold with boundary $\overline{M}$. Let $\rho$ be a boundary defining function for $\overline{M}$, i.e. $\rho$ is smooth, $\...
2
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How is the $k$-times iterative frame bundle $FF\cdots FM$ associated to the higher order frame bundle $F^k M$?
$\DeclareMathOperator\Gl{Gl}$As I understand it a natural bundle is one for which a diffeomorphism on the base space lifts to an automorphism on the total space of the bundle. It is my understanding ...
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35
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Estimate the gradient (with respect to local coordinates) of a partition of unity on a manifold
Suppose $\{U_\alpha\}$ is an atlas of coordinate patches of a (noncompact) smooth manifold $M$ of dimension $n$, with coordinates $(x_\alpha^1,\dots,x_\alpha^n)$ on $U_\alpha$. Furthermore we assume ...
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124
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Noether's formula for real algebraic surfaces
Is there a version of Noether's formula for the Euler characteristic of a surface for Real algebraic surfaces?
Specifically, given $X$ a real algebraic compact smooth surface, what is the relationship ...
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303
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Does a coarser topology lead to a non-Hausdorff topological manifold? [closed]
Take a topological manifold $M$. Suppose one considers a strictly coarser topology than the manifold topology. Can such topology result in a non-Hausdorff topological manifold?
NOTE: PLEASE avoid the ...
3
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1
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308
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What is known about the "stickiness" of a smooth manifold to its tangent space?
Consider an $m$-dimensional smooth manifold $M$ embedded in $n$-dimensional real Euclidean space $\mathbb{R}^n$ ($n>m$). Consider a point $x \in M$ of the manifold, and for simplicity, choose the ...
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7-sphere x 4-sphere manifold and its physical significance [closed]
I am looking for sources about this manifold 7-sphere*4-sphere and its relations to theoretical physics.
Where to go to read about 7-sphereX4-sphere manifold and its physical significance?
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Assumptions for uniform measure of SDE on manifolds
Suppose we're working on a compact, Riemannian manifold $M$. Suppose $dX_t = -b(X_t, t)\,dt + \sigma^2 \,dB_t$ is started at the uniform measure on $M$. What kind of assumptions on $b$ make it so that ...
2
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194
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Smooth compactification of complex varieties and uniqueness
Since I'm working in differential geometry, for the following I'm strictly interested in the smooth setting over $\mathbb{C}$ and its relation to the setting over $\mathbb{R}$.
Here are a few useful ...
9
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1
answer
328
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Disintegration measures and differential forms
Let $X$ and $Y$ be smooth oriented manifolds of dimension $m$ and $n$, and let $f\colon X\to Y$ a proper smooth map. There is a theorem called the "Disintegration Theorem" which says ...
4
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162
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Possible Euler characteristics of manifolds with tangential structures
Let $p:B\to BO$ be a fibration. We say that a manifold has a $B$-structure if its stable tangent bundle lifts to $B$. I am interested in the question of whether there exists, for a given even ...
5
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222
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Clarifying a result of Klingenberg
I am looking for some clarification on a result of Klingenberg. For context, I have a complete Riemannian manifold for which I would like to compute a lower bound on the injectivity radius at each ...
6
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142
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Extending topological vector bundles and obstruction theory
This is a question that has appeared in various forms on MathOverflow, see here and here, for example. But as opposed to these more algebraic questions, I am interested in the purely topological ...
6
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237
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Why does Bott's obstruction theorem imply the vanishing of some cohomology classes of $B\Gamma_q$?
Recall that Bott's obstruction for integrability [Bott70] asserts that:
Given a smooth (=$C^\infty$) $m$-manifold $M$ and a completely integrable vector subbundle $E\subset TM$ of rank $m-q$, every ...
3
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1
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165
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Isomorphism between tangent bundle of $S^2$ and the kernel of a bundle homomorphism
Let $S^{4n+3} \to \mathbb{H}P^n$ be the standard projection which is a fiber bundle with fiber $S^3$. By the action of $S^1$ on $S^3$ we get a fiber bundle
$$
\mathbb{C}P^1 \xrightarrow{\iota} \mathbb{...
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1
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113
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How to estimate the distance between geodesics and points for Riemannian manifold with positive sectional curvature
Assume that $ M $ is a complete Riemannian manifold and there exists $ k>0 $ such that $ K(q)\geq k $ for any $ q\in M $, where $ K $ is the sectional curvature of $ M $. Let $ \gamma $ be a closed ...
0
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1
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101
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Geodesic whose one end is at a ideal point
We know that every hyperbolic manifold $M$ is locally isometric to hyperbolic plane $\mathbb{H}_2$. Can we consider the inverse image, under the isometry, of the geodesic $\gamma$ that connects a ...
5
votes
1
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218
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Commutative/ symmetric second covariant derivative
Consider a smooth manifold $M$ together with an affine connection (or covariant derivative) $\nabla$ on the tangent bundle $TM$.
Is it possible to have an affine connection, possibly with non-zero ...
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0
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50
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Symmetric indefinite matrix of fixed rank — manifold structure?
I have been studying symmetric indefinite matrices of fixed rank, which have been rather useful for a particular application. I wonder if there is a way to parameterise these by a smooth manifold, e.g....
3
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184
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An almost complex structure on $\Bbb S^n$ induces a cross product on $\Bbb R^{n+1}$
It is known that the only spheres that admit an almost complex structures are $\Bbb S^2$ and $\Bbb S^6$ (Borel and Serre, 1953). In particular, $\Bbb S^4$ cannot be given an almost complex structure (...
4
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118
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Triangulating piecewise-linear manifolds
Question 1: Is this the mainstream definition of a PL-manifold?
Definition. A PL-manifold is a manifold with an atlas $(\varphi_i)_{i\in I}$ in which all transition maps $\varphi_j\circ\varphi_i^{-1}$ ...
3
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186
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Decomposition of forms on manifolds
Let $(M,g)$ be a globally-hyperbolic Lorentzian manifold, i.e. $M=I\times\Sigma$ with $I\subset\mathbb{R}$ being an open interval and $\Sigma$ a spacelike smooth Cauchy hypersurface. The metric is of ...
4
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111
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Finding inverses of certain elements in the set of normal invariants of a smooth manifold
Let, $V$ denote the Stiefel manifold of 2-frames $V_{10,2}$ . Consider the the map $S_\text{diff} (V) \xrightarrow{\eta} N_\text{diff} (V) $ in the surgery exact sequence of a smooth manifold. . ...
4
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2
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532
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Compactification of a product of manifolds
Let $M$ be a smooth manifold. We make the assumption that $M$ can be viewed as the interior of a compact manifold with boundary $\overline{M}$. In practice, for an explicit manifold, any ...
3
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53
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Jet at a singular point or a submanifold
Let $M$ be a smooth manifold, $p\in M$ and $f\in C^\infty(M\setminus\{p\})$.
We will say that $f$ has a power-law singularity at $p$ of order $\eta$ if for every smooth immersion $\gamma:(-1,1)\to M$ ...
4
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1
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Detecting a "bad map" in Fintushel-Stern knot surgery
Background
Let $X$ be a simply-connected smooth 4-manifold which contains a smoothly embedded torus $T$ with trivial normal bundle (in other words, $T^2\times D^2\subset X$). Let $K$ be a knot in $S^3$...
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1
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A sufficient condition for a collection of open sets of a manifold to contain all open sets
Question
Let $k\geq 0$ be an integer and let $M$ be a topological $n$-manifold. Let $\mathcal{U}$ be a set of open sets of $M$ which satisfies the following closure properties:
(1). Let $U\subset M$ ...
5
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1
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329
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To what extent differentiable mappings of an affine line into a manifold determine its differentiable structure? What about mappings of a plane?
If $M$ is a (real) differentiable manifold, its differentiable structure is completely determined if it is known which mappings $M\to\mathbf{R}$ are differentiable.
How much can be said about the ...
14
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2
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Is a manifold Euclidean if its tangent bundle is Euclidean?
I'm wondering whether an $n$-dimensional manifold diffeomorphic to $\mathbb{R}^n$ if its tangent bundle is diffeomorphic to $\mathbb{R}^{2n}$. Many thanks!
1
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1
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266
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Cohomological dimension of kernel
Let $M$ and $N$ be two connected, smooth (possibly non-compact), aspherical manifolds (that is, $\pi_k(-)=1$ for $k\geq 2$) of dimensions $n$ and $n-r$ respectively. Let $f:M\to N$ be a smooth map ...
6
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0
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145
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Kirby diagram of Enriques surface (as the "(1/2) K3 surface")
Not to be confused with $E(1)\cong\mathbb{C}P^2\#9\overline{\mathbb{C}P^2}$, which is also known as a $\frac{1}{2}K3$ surface (in the sense that removing a neighbourhood of a regular torus fiber in $E(...
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Is there a standard name for the following class of functions on non-Hausdorff manifolds?
Let $M$ be a (not necessarily Hausdorff) smooth manifold. Given an open chart $U\subset M$ and a compactly-supported smooth function $f:U\to\mathbb{R}$ on $U$, define $\widetilde{f}:M\to\mathbb{R}$ by ...
3
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1
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330
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When does a fibre bundle induce a long exact sequence in homotopy groups of mapping spaces?
Given a smooth fibre bundle of (compact, say) manifolds $F \to E \to M$, with $\pi : E \to M$ the projection, and $i_p : F \to E$ the inclusion of $F$ into any fibre $\pi^{-1}(p)$, we get, for any ...
6
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1
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208
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Existence of adjoint operators on manifolds
Let $(M,g)$ be an oriented Riemannian manifold and $V$ a finite-rank vector bundle equipped with a non-degenerate bundle metric $\langle\cdot,\cdot\rangle_{V}$. This bundle metric, in turn, gives rise ...
2
votes
1
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99
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Why is this subset associated to a $2$-tensor dense?
Let $S$ be a symmetric $(0, 2)$ tensor on a Riemannian manifold $M$. Define $E_S : M \to \mathbb{Z}$ by $E_S(x) = \left(\text{the number of distinct eigenvalues of } S_x\right)$. I've seen the ...
1
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1
answer
74
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Infimum of the normalized Laplacian eigenvalues
Let $(M^n,g)$ be a compact Riemannian manifold. The spectrum of the Laplacian operator $\Delta_g = -\operatorname{div} \nabla$ consists of an increasing and diverging sequence of positive eigenvalues:
...
9
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1
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305
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Torsion and nilpotence of framed manifolds under the Pontryagin-Thom map
The framed Pontryagin Thom construction produces a graded ring isomorphism from the framed cobordism ring $\Omega^{fr}_*$ to the stable ring of homotopy groups of spheres $\pi_*(\mathbb{S})$. I have a ...
1
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1
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138
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On the definition of smooth fiber bundle and smooth manifolds with boundary
On page 268 of Prof. John M Lee's book "Introduction to Smooth Manifolds" (second edition), it says if $E$, $M$ and $F$ are smooth manifolds with or without boundary, $\pi:E\to M$ is a ...
1
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0
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203
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Cokernel of the Jacobian Matrix
For an algebraic variety $V = \mathcal{V}(f_1,\dots,f_m)\subset \mathbb{C}^n$, in smooth points $p$ there is a nice geometric interpretation of the Jacobian $(\partial f_i/\partial x_j)_{ij}\lvert_p$'...
13
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2
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2k
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Can a simply connected manifold satisfy $𝑀\simeq 𝑀\times 𝑀$?
Let $M$ be a simply connected, (finite dimensional) smooth manifold. Is it possible that $M$ is homotopy equivalent to $M\times M,$ without $M$ being contractible? This would imply $\pi_n(M)\times\...
2
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0
answers
99
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Elliptic equations and Fredholms alternative in the non-compact case
Let $M$ be a smooth Riemannian manifold and $E$ be a finite-rank vector bundle over $M$ equipped with a bundle metric $\langle\cdot,\cdot\rangle\in\Gamma^{\infty}(E^{\ast}\otimes E^{\ast})$, i.e. $\...
3
votes
0
answers
132
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Does the Kato-Ponce estimate hold on manifolds?
Recall the Kato-Ponce estimate for fractional powers of the operator $J = (1-\Delta)$,
$$ \| J^s(fg) \|_{L^r} \lesssim \| J^s f \|_{L^{p_1}} \| g \|_{L^{q_1}} + \| J^s g \|_{L^{p_2}} \| f \|_{L^{q_2}},...