A GENERALIZATION OF THE ATIYAH–DUPONT VECTOR FIELDS THEORY

Abstract

To generalize the Hopf index theorem and the Atiyah–Dupont vector fields theory, one is interested in the following problem: for a real vector bundle E over a closed manifold M with rank E = dim M, whether there exist two linearly independent cross sections of E? We provide, among others, a complete answer to this problem when both E and M are orientable. It extends the corresponding results for E = TM of Thomas, Atiyah, and Atiyah–Dupont. Moreover we prove a vanishing result of a certain mod 2 index when the bundle E admits a complex structure. This vanishing result implies many known famous results as consequences. Ideas and methods from obstruction theory, K-theory and index theory are used in getting our results.