K-Theory Torsion

Abstract

The Chern isomorphism determines the free part of the K-groups from ordinary cohomology. Thus to really understand the implications of K-theory for physics one must look at manifolds with K-torsion. Unfortunately there are not many explicit examples, and usually for very symmetric spaces. Cartesian products of RP^n are examples where the order of the torsion part differs between K-theory and ordinary cohomology. The dimension of corresponding branes is also discussed. An example for a Calabi-Yau manifold with K-torsion is given.