English

An introduction to infinite-dimensional differential geometry

Differential Geometry 2023-03-09 v3 Group Theory

Abstract

The present document is the draft of a book which presents an introduction to infinite-dimensional differential geometry beyond Banach manifolds. As is well known the usual calculus breaks down in this setting. Hence, we replace it by the more general Bastiani calculus which is built using directional derivatives. We then focus on two main areas of infinite-dimensional geometry: 1. infinite-dimensional Lie groups, and 2. weak Riemannian geometry. Both topics are developed and connected to manifolds of (smooth) mappings. These manifolds are studied in detail to construct important examples such as diffeomorphism groups, loop groups and Riemannian metrics for shape analysis. Manifolds of mappings are prime examples for surprising connections between finite and infinite-dimensional geometry. However, also pathologies occurring in infinite-dimensions will be highlighted in many examples. The geometric techniques developed will then be showcased in modern applications of geometry such as geometric hydrodynamics, higher geometry in the guise of Lie groupoids and rough path theory.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2112.08114,
  title  = {An introduction to infinite-dimensional differential geometry},
  author = {Alexander Schmeding},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2112.08114},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

260 pages, 2 figures, uses TikZ, comments welcome, draft for a book to be published by Cambridge University Press, v3: Improved exposition in chapter 8, corrected many typos and smaller misprints, rest unchanged

R2 v1 2026-06-24T08:18:25.729Z