Loop spaces, characteristic classes, and geometric quantization

Jean-Luc Brylinski9780817636449, 0817636447, 3764336447

Develops a Chern-Weil theory of characteristic classes of gerbes, fiber bundles whose fibers are groupoids, which arise naturally in the geometric aspects of mathematics and physics. Includes a self-contained introduction to the theory of sheaves and their cohomology, line bundles, and geometric prequantization. Written for topologists, geometers, Lie theorists, and mathematical physicists at a graduate or professional level.