Higher-twisted periodic smooth Deligne cohomology

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new periodic version of Deligne cohomology that allows for higher-degree twists by gerbes, expanding the framework of differential cohomology theories.

Contribution

It develops a periodic form of Deligne cohomology enabling twists by gerbes of any odd degree, extending previous degree-one twist theories.

Findings

Defines a periodic Deligne cohomology theory.

Shows the theory admits higher-degree gerbe twists.

Provides examples and computations using a twisted spectral sequence.

Abstract

Degree one twisting of Deligne cohomology, as a differential refinement of integral cohomology, was established in previous work. Here we consider higher degree twists. The Rham complex, hence de Rham cohomology, admits twists of any odd degree. However, in order to consider twists of integral cohomology we need a periodic version. Combining the periodic versions of both ingredients leads us to introduce a periodic form of Deligne cohomology. We demonstrate that this theory indeed admits a twist by a gerbe of any odd degree. We present the main properties of the new theory and illustrate its use with examples and computations, mainly via a corresponding twisted differential Atiyah-Hirzebruch spectral sequence.