The $L^2$-metric on $C^\infty(M,N)$

Abstract

Let $M$, $N$ be finite-dimensional manifolds with $M$ compact. This paper looks at the Riemnannian geometry on the space $C^\infty(M,N)$ of smooth maps equipped with the $L^2$-Riemannian metric. This metric was used by Ebin and Marsden in the proof of the well-posedness of the incompressible Euler equation and is related to the Wasserstein distance in optimal transport. The paper gives an introduction to the challenges of infinite-dimensional Riemannian geometry and shows how one use general connections to relate the geometry of $N$ and the geometry of $C^\infty(M,N)$.