Publisher's Synopsis
Symmetries play a decisive role in the natural sciences and throughout mathematics. Infinite-dimensional Lie theory deals with symmetries depending on infinitely many parameters. Infinite-dimensional Lie Groups provides a comprehensive introduction to this important subject by developing a global infinite-dimensional Lie theory on the basis that a Lie group is simply a manifold modeled on a locally convex space, equipped with a group structure with smooth group operations. The focus is on the local and global level, as well as on the translation mechanisms allowing or preventing passage between Lie groups and Lie algebras. Starting from scratch, the reader is led from the basics of the theory through to the frontiers of current research.
This introductory volume subtitled, General Theory and Main Examples, examines the structure theory of infinite-dimensional Lie groups by developing a broad framework of Lie theory and illustrating the general results through a detailed discussion of the major classes of Lie groups: linear Lie groups, groups of (smooth) maps, groups of diffeomorphisms, and direct limit groups. From these, most other relevant groups can be obtained as extensions or Lie subgroups.
Together with its companion volume subtitled, Geometry and Topology, these essentially self-contained texts provide all necessary background as regards generally locally convex spaces, finite-dimensional Lie theory and differential geometry, with modest prerequisites limited to a basic knowledge of abstract algebra, point set topology, differentiable manifolds, and functional analysis in Banach spaces. The clear exposition includes careful explanations, illustrative examples, numerous exercises, and detailed cross-references to simplify a non-linear reading of the material.
