An index theorem for families invariant with respect to a bundle of Lie groups

Abstract

We define the equivariant family index of a family of elliptic operators invariant with respect to the free action of a bundle $\GR$ of Lie groups. If the fibers of $\GR \to B$ are simply-connected solvable, we then compute the Chern character of the (equivariant family) index, the result being given by an Atiyah-Singer type formula. We also study traces on the corresponding algebras of pseudodifferential operators and obtain a local index formula for such families of invariant operators, using the Fedosov product. For topologically non-trivial bundles we have to use methods of non-commutative geometry. We discuss then as an application the construction of ``higher-eta invariants,'' which are morphisms $K_n(\PsS {\infty}Y) \to \CC$. The algebras of invariant pseudodifferential operators that we study, $\Psm {\infty}Y$ and $\PsS {\infty}Y$, are generalizations of ``parameter dependent'' algebras of pseudodifferential operators (with parameter in $\RR^q$), so our results provide also an index theorem for elliptic, parameter dependent pseudodifferential operators.