On the index of Dirac operators on arithmetic quotients

Abstract

Using the Arthur-Selberg trace formula we express the index of a Dirac operator on an arithmetic quotient over a totally real field with at least two real embeddings as the integral over the index form plus a sum of orbital integrals. For the Euler operator these orbital integrals are shown to vanish for products of rank one spaces. In this case the index theorem looks exactly as in the compact case.