Connections on central bimodules

Abstract

We define and study the theory of derivation-based connections on a recently introduced class of bimodules over an algebra which reduces to the category of modules whenever the algebra is commutative. This theory contains, in particular, a noncommutative generalization of linear connections. We also discuss the different noncommutative versions of differential forms based on derivations. Then we investigate reality conditions and a noncommutative generalization of pseudo-riemannian structures.