Invariance Theory - The Heat Equation and the Atiyah-Singer Index Theorem (Hardcover, 2 Rev Ed)

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.