Geometry & Topology Monographs 2 (1999), Proceedings of the Kirbyfest, paper no. 23, pages 473-488.

A polynomial invariant of diffeomorphisms of 4-manifolds

Daniel Ruberman

Abstract. We use a 1-parameter version of gauge theory to investigate the topology of the diffeomorphism group of 4-manifolds. A polynomial invariant, analogous to the Donaldson polynomial, is defined, and is used to show that the diffeomorphism group of certain simply-connected 4-manifolds has infinitely generated \pi _0.

Keywords. Diffeomorphism, isotopy, 4-manifold

AMS subject classification. Primary: 57R52. Secondary: 57R57.

E-print: arXiv:math.GT/9911260

Submitted: 14 October 1999. (Revised: 18 November 1999.) Published: 23 November 1999.

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Daniel Ruberman
Department of Mathematics, Brandeis University
Waltham, MA 02254, USA
Email: ruberman@binah.cc.brandeis.edu

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