On the topological contents of eta invariants

Abstract

We discuss an universal bordism invariant obtained from the Atiyah-Patodi-Singer eta-invariant from the analytic and homotopy theoretic point of view. Classical invariants like the Adams e-invariant, $\rho$-invariants and $String$-bordism invariants are derived as special cases. The main results are a secondary index theorem about the coincidence of the analytic and topological constructions and intrinsic expressions for the bordism invariants.