Algebraic Geometry over $C^\infty$-rings

Dominic Joyce

Published 2009-12-31, updated 2015-09-24Version 5

If $X$ is a smooth manifold then the $\mathbb R$-algebra $C^\infty(X)$ of smooth functions $c:X\to\mathbb R$ is a $C^\infty$-$ring$. That is, for each smooth function $f:{\mathbb R}^n\to\mathbb R$ there is an $n$-fold operation $\Phi_f:C^\infty(X)^n\to C^\infty(X)$ acting by $\Phi_f:(c_1,\ldots,c_n)\mapsto f(c_1,...,c_n)$, and these operations $\Phi_f$ satisfy many natural identities. Thus, $C^\infty(X)$ actually has a far richer structure than the obvious $\mathbb R$-algebra structure. We develop a version of algebraic geometry in which rings or algebras are replaced by $C^\infty$-rings. As schemes are the basic objects in algebraic geometry, the new basic objects are $C^\infty$-$schemes$, a category of geometric objects which generalize smooth manifolds, and whose morphisms generalize smooth maps. We also study quasicoherent and coherent sheaves on $C^\infty$-schemes, and $C^\infty$-$stacks$, in particular $Deligne$-$Mumford$ $C^\infty$-$stacks$, a 2-category of geometric objects generalizing orbifolds. This enables us to use the tools of algebraic geometry in differential geometry, and to describe singular spaces such as moduli spaces occurring in differential geometric problems. This paper forms the foundations of the author's new theory of "derived differential geometry", surveyed in arXiv:1206.4207 and in more detail in arXiv:1208.4948, which studies $d$-$manifolds$ and $d$-$orbifolds$, "derived" versions of smooth manifolds and smooth orbifolds. Derived differential geometry has applications to areas of symplectic geometry involving moduli spaces of $J$-holomorphic curves. Many of these ideas are not new: $C^\infty$-rings and $C^\infty$-schemes have long been part of synthetic differential geometry. But we develop them in new directions. This paper is surveyed in arXiv:1104.4951.