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Use the given orientation throughout, and the usual convention that the manifold has no boundary. In an oriented manifold chart the metric volume form isIf $y$ is another oriented chart and $A=\partial x/\partial y$, then $g_y=A^t{g}_{x}A$, so $\sqrt{\det g_y}=(\det A)\sqrt{\det g_x}$ because $\det A>0$. This is exactly the transformation of the top exterior product. The formulas therefore agree on overlaps and define a smooth positive volume form. Equivalently it takes value one on any positively oriented orthonormal tangent frame.

The metric induces an inner product on $p$-forms by making the increasing exterior products of an orthonormal coframe orthonormal. The Hodge star operator is the unique pointwise linear map $\ast :{\Lambda }^p{T}^{\ast }M\to {\Lambda }^{n-p}{T}^{\ast }M$ satisfyingFor an increasing multi-index $I$, $\ast e^I$ is the complementary wedge with the sign making $e^I\wedge \ast e^I={\omega }_g$. Swapping the blocks of $p$ and $n-p$ factors introduces $(-1{)}^{p(n-p)}$. ThereforeIn particular $\ast 1={\omega }_g$ and $\ast {\omega }_g=1$.

For compactly supported smooth $f$, the $(n-1)$-form $f\ast \alpha$ has compact support. Stokes theorem and the graded Leibniz rule giveA top form $\tau$ equals $(\ast \tau ){\omega }_g$. Consequently this Hodge integration by parts for one-forms becomes exactlyCompact support of $f$ is enough; $\alpha$ need not itself have compact support.

Define the codifferential on $p$-forms by $\delta =(-1{)}^{n(p+1)+1}\ast d\ast$ and the Hodge Laplacian by $\Delta =d\delta +\delta d$. A harmonic differential form is a smooth form in $\ker \Delta$. On functions this is the positive Laplace-Beltrami operator, $\Delta f=\delta df=-{\mathrm{div}}_g{\mathrm{grad}}_{g}f$. This sign convention is required by the product identity; it is the negative of the $\mathrm{div}\mathrm{grad}$ convention also commonly used for the Laplace-Beltrami operator.

For a $p$-form $\beta$, the square of the Hodge star operator and the codifferential formula giveApplying the second formula to $d\beta$ and the first to $\delta \beta$ givesThus Hodge star commutes with the Hodge Laplacian. Since $\ast$ is invertible, $\beta$ is harmonic if and only if $\ast \beta$ is harmonic. This holds without compactness; we have not used the generally false noncompact implication that a harmonic form must be closed and coclosed.

For a smooth function $h$ and one-form $\alpha$, the same graded Leibniz rule gives $\delta (h\alpha )=h\delta \alpha -\ast (dh\wedge \ast \alpha )=h\delta \alpha -⟨dh,\alpha {⟩}_g$. Apply this to $d(f_1{f}_2)=f_{2}d{f}_1+f_{1}d{f}_2$ to obtain the product rule for the positive Laplace-Beltrami operator

The Hodge decomposition theorem states that on a compact oriented boundaryless Riemannian manifold, smooth forms have the $L^2$-orthogonal decompositionand each de Rham cohomology class has a unique harmonic differential form representative. To spell out the last conclusion, a harmonic form is closed and coclosed because $⟨\Delta \eta ,\eta ⟩=\Vert d\eta {\Vert }^2+\Vert \delta \eta {\Vert }^2$. If a closed form decomposes as $h+du+\delta v$, then $d\delta v=0$; integration by parts gives $\Vert \delta v{\Vert }^2=⟨v,d\delta v⟩=0$. Thus it represents $h$. A harmonic exact form has zero norm by adjointness, proving uniqueness. The analytic existence of the decomposition is the stated Hodge decomposition theorem.

Now let $M$ be compact, connected and oriented. A harmonic function satisfies $0=⟨f,\Delta f⟩=\Vert df{\Vert }^2$, so it is constant. The Hodge star operator identifies ${\mathcal{H}}^0(M)$ with ${\mathcal{H}}^n(M)$, hence ${\mathcal{H}}^n(M)=\mathbb{R}{\omega }_g$. A Riemannian metric exists by Question 3 even if none was initially chosen. Using the harmonic representative of each class, we obtain the top de Rham cohomology of a compact connected oriented manifoldThe class is nonzero also directly from Stokes theorem, since ${\int }_M{\omega }_g>0$ while every exact top form has zero integral. Boundarylessness matters: a compact interval has zero first de Rham cohomology.

Odd-dimensional spheres cannot carry a symplectic form, by even-dimensionality. For $S^{2m}$ with $m\ge 2$, the second de Rham cohomology group vanishes. Any hypothetical symplectic form would therefore be $\omega =d\alpha$. The symplectic cohomology obstruction givesby the Generalized Stokes theorem. But the symplectic orientation makes ${\omega }^m$ a positive volume form, whose integral on this nonempty compact manifold is positive. This is a contradiction.

The oriented area form on $S^2$ is nondegenerate and automatically closed, since a two-dimensional manifold has no nonzero three-forms. Thus among positive-dimensional spheres, exactly $S^2$ admits a symplectic structure:If zero-dimensional symplectic manifolds are admitted, $S^0$ also qualifies: its zero two-form is nondegenerate on the zero tangent spaces. This is a convention-dependent additional case, not another positive-dimensional example.

Moser's trick turns variation of symplectic forms into an equation for a time-dependent vector field. Let ${\omega }_t$, $0\le t\le 1$, be a smooth path of symplectic forms on a compact manifold without boundary, with a constant de Rham cohomology class. Choose a smooth family of one-forms ${\alpha }_t$ such that ${\dot{\omega }}_t=d{\alpha }_t$. Such a smooth choice can be made using a fixed auxiliary metric; the essential requirement is this exactness throughout the path.

Nondegeneracy uniquely determines $X_t$ byLet $f_t$ be its flow, with $f_0=\mathrm{id}$. Compactness ensures existence over the whole parameter interval. By Cartan's magic formula,ThusThe path is made constant by a diffeomorphism moving with $X_t$. Every interpolating form must be nondegenerate; equal endpoint cohomology alone does not ensure that every linearly interpolated form is a symplectic form. On a noncompact manifold one instead needs completeness of this flow, or restricts to a sufficiently small neighborhood, as in the local argument below.

Use the Weinstein neighborhood theorem: a neighborhood of a compact Lagrangian submanifold is symplectomorphic to a neighborhood of the zero section of its cotangent bundle, with the identification equal to the identity on that submanifold. Take the canonical sign $-d\lambda$ in this identification. We also use C1 openness of diffeomorphisms: on a compact manifold, all smooth self-maps sufficiently close in the $C^1$ topology to a fixed diffeomorphism are themselves diffeomorphisms.

In $M\times M$ put $\Omega =-{\mathrm{pr}}_1^{\ast }\omega +{\mathrm{pr}}_2^{\ast }\omega$. The diagonal $\Delta$ is Lagrangian. For a symplectomorphism $\varphi$, its graph ${\Gamma }_{\varphi }$ is also Lagrangian, because its pullback of $\Omega$ is $-\omega +{\varphi }^{\ast }\omega =0$.

If $\varphi$ is sufficiently $C^1$-close to the identity, ${\Gamma }_{\varphi }$ lies in the fixed Weinstein neighborhood of $\Delta$. Its image in $T^{\ast }\Delta$ is transverse to the cotangent fibers and is a section: the projection of that image to $\Delta \cong M$ is $C^1$-close to the identity, hence is a diffeomorphism on compact $M$. Reparametrizing by this projection identifies the image with $\mathrm{graph}(\sigma )$ for a small differential one-form $\sigma$.

The preceding graph of a closed one-form is Lagrangian criterion gives $d\sigma =0$. Since $H_{\mathrm{dR}}^1(M)=0$, the de Rham cohomology definition gives $\sigma =df$. Intersections with the zero section are precisely the critical points of $f$; under the neighborhood identification these are the intersections ${\Gamma }_{\varphi }\cap \Delta$, hence the fixed points of $\varphi$.

On a nonempty compact manifold without boundary, $f$ has a maximum and a minimum. If it is nonconstant, these occur at distinct critical points. If it is constant, $df=0$ everywhere, so the whole graph is the diagonal and every point is fixed. For positive-dimensional $M$, there are at least two distinct fixed points. This is the nearby exact Lagrangian intersection lemma applied to the diagonal. No connectedness assumption is needed.

The usual positive-dimensional convention is necessary for the assertion: if zero-dimensional symplectic manifolds are allowed, a single-point $M$ has $H^1=0$ and only one fixed point. That is a literal exception to the printed statement.

A Chern number turns local curvature data into a global integer. Let $E\to M$ be a complex vector bundle over a compact oriented manifold without boundary, with a unitary connection represented locally by an anti-Hermitian matrix-valued one-form $A$. Its curvature form of a connection is $F=dA+A\wedge A$. The Chern-Weil theory representative of the total Chern class isThe coefficients are closed differential forms. They represent the images of integral Chern classes in de Rham cohomology. On an oriented $2r$-manifold, a product $c_{i_1}\cdots c_{i_s}$ with $i_1+\cdots +i_s=r$ pairs with the fundamental class to give a Chern number, an integer independent of the unitary connection.

For example,For an $SU(N)$ bundle with $N\ge 2$, $\mathrm{Tr}F=0$. On an oriented four-manifold the Second Chern number is thenusing the fundamental matrix trace and the stated anti-Hermitian convention. The trace-product correction is required for a general $U(N)$ bundle; it cannot simply be omitted. The sign of a physical instanton number also depends on the trace and orientation convention, so these conventions must accompany the formula.

The local origin of closure is the Bianchi identity $D_{A}F=0$ and the cyclic matrix trace: $d\mathrm{Tr}(F\wedge F)=0$. Independence of the connection one-form follows more concretely by varying a family $A_t$. Since ${\dot{F}}_t=D_{A_t}{\dot{A}}_t$, the Chern-Weil connection transgression isIts integral on a closed four-manifold is zero by the Generalized Stokes theorem. This proves connection independence of $q$; the integrality is the global Chern class statement, not merely a consequence of the local formula.

The local primitive of the Second Chern form is the Chern-Simons three-formHere we continue to use $SU(N)$, so $c_2=\mathrm{Tr}(F\wedge F)/(8{\pi }^2)$. The cubic coefficient is forced by the exterior derivative. In the graded cyclic matrix trace, $d\mathrm{Tr}(A^3)=3\mathrm{Tr}(dA\wedge A^2)$ and $\mathrm{Tr}(A^4)=0$, the latter because cycling one degree-one factor past the other three changes its sign. ThereforeMatrix-valued differential forms require both matrix order and the graded signs; treating all factors as commuting scalars would lose this derivation.

The Chern-Simons three-form depends on a local trivialization and is not itself gauge-invariant. For the Yang-Mills gauge transformation convention $A^g=g^{-1}Ag+g^{-1}dg$, set $u=g^{-1}dg$. The gauge change of the Chern-Simons three-form isThe last term is closed by the Maurer-Cartan equation. On a closed three-manifold its integral is an integer with the fundamental $SU(N)$ normalization. Consequently the Chern-Simons integral is naturally defined modulo integers, while its exponential $\exp (2\pi i\ell \int Y)$ is invariant under large Yang-Mills gauge transformations for integer level $\ell$.

This also explains why a nonzero Chern number is compatible with $dY=c_2$: $Y$ need not be a globally defined three-form. On $S^4$, trivialize over two hemispheres and let $A_N=A_S^g$ on their common equator $\Sigma =S^3$, oriented as the boundary of the northern hemisphere. The Generalized Stokes theorem and the gauge-change formula giveFor $SU(2)\cong S^3$, this is the degree of the transition map, with compatible group orientation; for $SU(N)$ it is the corresponding integer in ${\pi }_3(SU(N))$. Thus the Second Chern number measures the obstruction to choosing one trivialization over the whole four-sphere.

A simpler First Chern class example is a line bundle over $S^2$. Write $A=-ia$ and choose local real potentialsThey have common curvature $da=(k/2)\sin \theta d\theta \wedge d\varphi$, so ${\int }_{S^2}{c}_1=(2\pi {)}^{-1}\int da=k$. Their difference $a_N-a_S=kd\varphi$ corresponds to the transition function $e^{-ik\varphi }$, which is single-valued exactly when $k\in \mathbb{Z}$. This illustrates how the global integer arises from patching, rather than from an arbitrary flux normalization.

In physics, these constructions distinguish topological sectors of Yang-Mills instantons and relate four-dimensional characteristic densities to three-dimensional boundary actions. The Chern-Simons three-form itself gives a metric-independent gauge action in three dimensions. On a closed manifold its first variation isso its classical equation is $F=0$. The common thread is that a local expression in the connection one-form records global topology: curvature produces the invariant Chern number, while its local Chern-Simons three-form primitive retains gauge and boundary information.

Use real differential forms and the usual convention that a smooth manifold has no boundary unless one is specified. On a noncompact manifold the formal-adjoint identity below uses compactly supported forms. On a compact manifold it has no boundary contribution; if a boundary were allowed, extra boundary conditions would be necessary.

The Riemannian metric gives the dual inner product on $T_x^{\ast }M$ and hence the inner product on exterior powers of a cotangent space:Extend this bilinearly. Equivalently, the increasing wedge products of an orthonormal coframe are an orthonormal basis of ${\Lambda }^p{T}_x^{\ast }M$. The Hodge star operator is the unique map $\ast :{\Lambda }^p{T}_x^{\ast }M\to {\Lambda }^{n-p}{T}_x^{\ast }M$ satisfying $\alpha \wedge \ast \beta =⟨\alpha ,\beta ⟩{\mathrm{vol}}_g$. If $e^1,\dots ,e^n$ is a positively oriented orthonormal coframe, $\ast e^I=\epsilon (I,I^c)e^{I^c}$. Moving the $p$ factors of $I$ across the $n-p$ factors of its complement changes the sign by $(-1{)}^{p(n-p)}$, soThe basis formula also proves that $\ast$ is an isometry.

For $\beta \in {\Omega }^{p-1}(M)$ and $\alpha \in {\Omega }^p(M)$ with compactly supported product, the Stokes theorem and the Leibniz rule for the exterior derivative giveThus $(d\beta ,\alpha {)}_{L^2}=(-1{)}^p{\int }_M\beta \wedge d\ast \alpha$. The formal adjoint operator $\delta$ satisfies $\ast \delta \alpha =(-1{)}^{p}d\ast \alpha$. Applying the inverse star and its square on degree $p-1$ gives the codifferentialThe exponent is congruent to $p+(p-1)(n-p+1)$ modulo two, so this convention is consistent in every degree. Define the Hodge Laplacian by $\Delta =d\delta +\delta d$ and a harmonic differential form by $\Delta \alpha =0$. On a compact manifold,Both nonnegative terms vanish for a harmonic form, giving $d\alpha =\delta \alpha =0$. Conversely these two equations imply harmonicity.

Now let $n=4$. The printed eigenvalue relation omits the subscript on its right-hand side; the intended equation is $\ast {\alpha }_{\pm }=\pm {\alpha }_{\pm }$. On two-forms ${\ast }^2=1$, soThese are respectively self-dual two-forms and anti-self-dual two-forms, and sum to $\alpha$. Their uniqueness follows because the $+1$ and $-1$ eigenspaces have zero intersection. Star is an orthogonal involution here, hence is self-adjoint and its opposite eigenspaces are orthogonal.

For closed two-forms define $Q([\alpha ],[\beta ])={\int }_N\alpha \wedge \beta$. Adding $d\xi$ to $\alpha$ changes the integral by ${\int }_{N}d(\xi \wedge \beta )=0$; adding an exact form to $\beta$ has the same effect. This is the real de Rham intersection form in dimension four. The wedge product of differential forms in degrees two and two is symmetric because $(-1{)}^{2\cdot 2}=1$; hence $Q$ is a symmetric bilinear form on $H_{\mathrm{dR}}^2(N;\mathbb{R})$.

In four dimensions $\delta =-\ast d\ast$ in every degree. If $h$ is a harmonic two-form, $\delta h=0$ gives $d\ast h=0$, and $dh=0$ gives $\delta \ast h=-\ast dh=0$. Thus $\ast h$ is harmonic, and ${\mathcal{H}}^2={\mathcal{H}}^{+}\oplus {\mathcal{H}}^{-}$ is the harmonic star-eigenspace decomposition. Use the permitted unique harmonic representative for each de Rham cohomology class. For harmonic $h,k$,The mixed terms vanish by orthogonality. The first restriction is positive definite and the second negative definite. In particular a nonzero harmonic $h$ has $Q(h,\ast h)=\Vert h{\Vert }_{L^2}^2>0$, proving nondegeneracy. Hence the signature of the intersection form from harmonic duality isThe finite dimensions and the harmonic description also follow from the Hodge decomposition theorem.

For completeness, the Hodge decomposition theorem on a compact oriented Riemannian manifold without boundary states the finite-dimensional harmonic space and the $L^2$-orthogonal direct sumThe three summand components are unique, although their potentials need not be. Given an exact three-form $\beta =d\omega$ on $N$, decompose its smooth two-form potential as $\omega =h+d\xi +\delta \psi$, with $\psi \in {\Omega }^3$. Since $dh=0$ and $d^2=0$, $\beta =d\delta \psi$. Put $a=\delta \psi$. In dimension four, $a=-\ast d\ast \psi$, and ${\ast }^2=1$ on two-forms gives $\ast a=-d\ast \psi$, so $d\ast a=0$. ConsequentlyThis constructs a self-dual primitive of an exact three-form. The sum contains no factor $1/2$: it is twice the self-dual projection of the coexact potential. Using the unscaled projection alone would give $d\sigma =\beta /2$. This proves the final unheaded request.

In a manifold chart, write a smooth differential form as $\eta ={\sum }_I{a}_{I}d{x}^{i_1}\wedge \cdots \wedge d{x}^{i_p}$, with $I$ increasing. Define its exterior derivative byTo check that this definition is global, change coordinates to $y$. The chain rule expresses $d{x}^i$ as ${\sum }_j({\partial }_j{x}^i)d{y}^j$. Differentiating it gives zero because the second partial derivatives of $x^i$ are symmetric and $d{y}^k\wedge d{y}^j$ is antisymmetric. The coordinate definition satisfies the graded Leibniz rule, so differentiating the transformed expression for $\eta$ leaves exactly ${\sum }_{I}d{a}_I\wedge d{x}^{i_1}\wedge \cdots \wedge d{x}^{i_p}$. This agrees with the original formula and proves independence of the manifold chart. The same cancellation of mixed derivatives gives $d^2=0$.

The de Rham cohomology is thereforethe vector space of closed differential forms modulo exact differential forms.

Here is a Green-theorem proof of exactness on a disc. Identify the disc with a round disc centred at zero, and let $\eta =Pdx+Qdy$ be a closed differential form. Set $f(x)={\int }_{[0,x]}\eta$. For $x$ and $x+h$ in the disc, Green theorem on the oriented triangle with vertices $0,x,x+h$ gives zero boundary integral, since ${\partial }_{x}Q-{\partial }_{y}P=0$. HenceTaking $h=\epsilon v$ and dividing by $\epsilon$ yields $d{f}_x(v)={\eta }_x(v)$. The radial integral defining $f$ is smooth, so $\eta =df$ andDegenerate triangles follow by continuity. The same proof works on any star-shaped plane domain, including the whole plane.

Integration requires an orientation: take $M$ to be an oriented compact $n$-dimensional smooth manifold without boundary. The Generalized Stokes theorem says ${\int }_{M}d\beta =0$ for every smooth $(n-1)$-form $\beta$. Every $n$-form is closed by dimension, and changing it by an exact differential form leaves its integral unchanged. Thusis a well-defined linear map $H_{\mathrm{dR}}^n(M;\mathbb{R})\to \mathbb{R}$. Compactness alone does not supply the orientation omitted from the printed integration statement.

For an $n$-dimensional Lie group, choose a nonzero $\lambda \in {\Lambda }^n{T}_e^{\ast }G$ and define the invariant volume form on a Lie group byEach $d{L}_{g^{-1}}$ is an isomorphism, so $\omega$ is nowhere zero and defines an orientation. The composition identity $L_{(hg{)}^{-1}}\circ L_h=L_{g^{-1}}$ gives $L_h^{\ast }\omega =\omega$. Moreover, every left-invariant differential form of degree $n$ is determined by its value at $e$, so the space of such forms is one-dimensional.

Under the supplied invariant-representative assumption, all top-degree de Rham cohomology classes are multiples of $[\omega ]$. For compact $G$, orient it so $\omega$ is positive; then ${\int }_G\omega >0$, whereas the Generalized Stokes theorem makes every exact top form have integral zero. Therefore $[\omega ]\ne 0$ andunder that assumption. For actual compact Lie groups, this argument applies when $G$ is connected. The supplied assumption fails for disconnected groups: on $S^1\times \mathbb{Z}/2$, the two components have independent degree-one classes, while globally left-invariant top forms form only a one-dimensional space. In general the top-degree de Rham cohomology of a compact Lie group is ${\mathbb{R}}^c$, where $c$ is its number of connected components.

For $S^2$, use $U=S^2\setminus \{N\}$ and $V=S^2\setminus \{S\}$. Stereographic projection identifies each with the plane. The disc argument gives $\eta {|}_U=d{f}_U$ and $\eta {|}_V=d{f}_V$ for any closed differential one-form $\eta$. The overlap $U\cap V$ is connected, so $d(f_U-f_V)=0$ makes the difference a constant. Adjust one potential by that constant; they glue to a global smooth function $f$ with $df=\eta$. ThusFinally, $S^3$ is a compact connected Lie group: the identificationidentifies it smoothly with the special unitary group $SU(2)$. Matrix multiplication and inversion supply its smooth group operations. The preceding invariant-volume argument therefore gives

Orient both spheres in the standard way and normalize their area forms to total area $4\pi$. The degree of a map between oriented manifolds can be obtained in two ways. For a regular value $y$, use the degree as a sum of local degrees:Each inverse image is isolated by the inverse function theorem, and compactness makes the set finite. The determinant is computed in consistently oriented local coordinates. A second method is spherical degree by area pullback:where the last formula represents $g$ as a unit vector in ${\mathbb{R}}^3$. The pullback of a differential form already contains the signed Jacobian determinant; no extra $\sin \theta$ is to be inserted in that last coordinate expression.

To relate the methods, replace $\omega$ by a smooth top-degree differential form with the same total integral supported in a small neighbourhood of a regular value. Two such top-degree forms with equal integral differ by an exact differential form on $S^2$, by its top-degree de Rham cohomology. Their pullbacks therefore have the same integral by Stokes theorem. Over the chosen neighbourhood, $g$ splits into local inverse branches; the change of variables formula makes the contribution of each branch its orientation sign times $4\pi$. Their sum is precisely the first formula. Thus the area integral is an integer and agrees with the signed inverse-image count.

For a nonconstant rational map, first use common-factor reduction of a rational map so $p$ and $q$ are coprime. Write $k=\max (\mathrm{deg}p,\mathrm{deg}q)$ for these reduced polynomials. A generic finite target value $w$ has inverse images at the roots of $p-wq$: avoiding exceptional values makes its degree $k$ and its roots simple. The fundamental theorem of algebra supplies $k$ roots. A holomorphic map has positive real Jacobian determinant $|R^{\prime }{|}^2$ at a regular point, so every local sign is $+1$. HenceThe source leaves coprimality implicit. In an unreduced representation the answer is $\max (\mathrm{deg}p,\mathrm{deg}q)-\mathrm{deg}\gcd (p,q)$, including degree zero for a constant reduced map. For example $(z^2-1)/(z-1)$ extends to $z+1$ and has degree one, although the unreduced maximum degree is two. Exceptional inverse images at infinity or multiple roots do not change the degree of a rational map of the Riemann sphere.

For the rational map approximation for Skyrmions, use stereographic projection $z=\tan (\theta /2)e^{i\phi }$ and the unit target vectorCombine this rational map with a radial profile to form a special unitary group field:where $\mathbf{\sigma }$ are the Pauli matrices. The endpoint values make $U(0)=-1$ independent of angle and $U(\infty )=1$. Appropriate radial behaviour gives an admissible finite-energy field configuration. With $L_i=U^{†}{\partial }_{i}U$, choose the topological baryon number in the Skyrme model conventionSeparating the radial and angular factors givesThus the degree of a rational map of the Riemann sphere supplies the Skyrmion charge.

In conventional dimensionless massless Skyrme model units, its static energy reduces towith the angular Jacobian of a rational mapThe Cauchy-Schwarz inequality gives $\mathcal{I}\ge k^2$. These formulas follow from the radial strain $|f^{\prime }|$ and the two equal angular strains $\sin f\sqrt{J_R}/r$: the quadratic energy sums their squares and the quartic Skyrme term sums their pairwise products of squares. Minimize the angular integral in the rational map approximation over degree-$k$ maps, then minimize the remaining radial energy with the stated endpoints. This replaces a three-dimensional field minimization by finitely many map coefficients and an ordinary differential equation for $f$.

The method constructs a charge-$k$ variational approximation, with topology built in and with rotational symmetry of a rational map translated into combined spatial and isospin rotations. It is efficient for identifying shapes and providing initial data for unrestricted numerical relaxation. Its restrictions are equally concrete: it uses one radial profile and a holomorphic angular map independent of radius, so it cannot represent arbitrary radial-angular correlations, separated clusters, or all deformations. Apart from the degree-one Skyrmion hedgehog ansatz, it generally does not solve the full field equation exactly. Massive-pion terms can be included in the radial functional but do not remove these restrictions, and multi-shell or unrestricted fields may be needed for larger charges. Approximate energy minima and a final collective-coordinate quantization are distinct steps.

Pullback of a differential form commutes with the exterior derivative, so $f^{\ast }$ gives a linear map on de Rham cohomology. Functoriality and $f\circ f=\mathrm{id}$ imply $(f^{\ast }{)}^2=I$. Over the real numbers, define the complementary projectionsThey obey $P_{\pm }^2=P_{\pm }$, $P_{+}{P}_{-}=0$ and $P_{+}+P_{-}=I$. Every cohomology class therefore decomposes asThe first term is fixed and the second negated by $f^{\ast }$. Their intersection is zero, since a class in both equals its own negative. ConsequentlyThis is the eigenspace decomposition of a linear involution. The factor $1/2$ uses the real coefficient field; a corresponding argument over characteristic two would fail. At the level of differential forms, the same averaging projections give representatives of either parity whenever the class has that parity.

First work at the level of differential forms. The fiber description implies $\pi \circ f=\pi$, so every pullback ${\pi }^{\ast }\beta$ is $f$-invariant. Since $\pi$ is a surjective local diffeomorphism, its pullback on forms is injective: at any $y\in N$, choose a lift $x$ and use the inverse of $d{\pi }_x$ to evaluate the form on arbitrary tangent vectors at $y$.

Conversely let $\alpha$ be an $f$-invariant form on $M$. For a local inverse $s:V\to M$ of $\pi$, define $\beta {|}_V=s^{\ast }\alpha$. If two inverses select the same lift they agree locally; if they select different lifts, the fiber condition identifies the second with $f$ composed with the first. Locally these alternatives are stable, using disjoint inverse neighborhoods at distinct lifts. The equality $f^{\ast }\alpha =\alpha$ therefore makes the local definitions agree. They glue to a unique smooth form $\beta$ on $N$ with ${\pi }^{\ast }\beta =\alpha$. Thusis an isomorphism of complexes, with the exterior derivative on both sides.

It remains to compare the cohomology of the invariant complex with invariant de Rham cohomology classes. Put $P=(I+f^{\ast })/2$ on forms. If $f^{\ast }[\alpha ]=[\alpha ]$ and $d\alpha =0$, then $P\alpha$ is invariant, closed and represents the same class, because its class is the average of two equal classes. If an invariant form is exact, $\alpha =d\eta$, then $\alpha =d(P\eta )$ with an invariant primitive. This proves both surjectivity and injectivity on cohomology. For $p=0$ there are no negative-degree primitives, and the same conclusion follows directly from closed functions.

Combining the two steps givesThis is the de Rham cohomology of a finite quotient argument specialized to an involution. It does not require orientation. The hypotheses do not explicitly exclude $f=\mathrm{id}$; then all fibers are singletons, $\pi$ is a bijective local diffeomorphism and the conclusion is the ordinary diffeomorphism invariance. If $f$ has one fixed point, local injectivity of $\pi$ makes its fixed set open as well as closed; connectedness of $M$ forces this identity case. Otherwise the fibers have two points and $\pi$ is the usual double covering.

Use the double covering map $\pi :S^n\to {\mathbb{RP}}^n$ and its deck involution, the antipodal map $a(x)=-x$. The given sphere cohomology vanishes outside degrees $0,n$, so only those degrees can survive as invariant classes. The degree-zero action is the identity because the sphere is connected for $n\ge 1$.

For the top degree, orient $S^n$ as the boundary of the unit ball. A positive tangent basis $(v_1,\dots ,v_n)$ at $x$ means that $(x,v_1,\dots ,v_n)$ has positive determinant in ${\mathbb{R}}^{n+1}$. Under the antipodal map every one of these $n+1$ vectors changes sign, so the orientation sign is $(-1{)}^{n+1}$. Equivalently, the sphere volume form isIts cohomology class is nonzero by the integral argument and therefore generates the one-dimensional top de Rham cohomology. Thus the top class is invariant precisely when $n$ is an odd integer. Applying the quotient result yieldsIn particular ${\mathbb{RP}}^1$ has one copy of $\mathbb{R}$ in each of degrees zero and one. These are real cohomology groups; integral torsion is not detected by de Rham cohomology.

At each point, use the inverse metric on the cotangent space. It induces an inner product on $p$-forms byEquivalently, wedges of distinct members of an orthonormal coframe form an orthonormal basis. Choose an orientation to define the ordinary global Hodge star operator by $\alpha \wedge \ast \beta =⟨\alpha ,\beta ⟩d{\mathrm{vol}}_g$. It maps $p$-forms to $(n-p)$-forms and obeys ${\ast }^2=(-1{)}^{p(n-p)}$. We use real forms; complex forms are obtained by complex-linear extension. Without an orientation an ordinary global star is not available without twisting the target, so orientation is implicit in this first part.

With the codifferential ${\delta }_p=(-1{)}^{n(p+1)+1}\ast d\ast$ for $p>0$ and ${\delta }_0=0$, define the Hodge Laplacian $\Delta =d\delta +\delta d$. On functions it is the nonnegative-sign Laplace-Beltrami operator, $\Delta f=-\mathrm{div}\mathrm{grad}f$. A harmonic differential form satisfies $\Delta \alpha =0$.

For $\alpha$ of degree $p$, the displayed sign formula and star square giveApplying the identities again, at degrees $p-1$ and $p+1$, proves the Hodge star commutes with the Hodge Laplacian relationSince star is invertible, $\alpha$ is harmonic if and only if $\ast \alpha$ is harmonic. This part does not need compactness; zero-degree and top-degree terms are interpreted as zero when their degrees are outside the range.

For the remaining cohomological statements assume a compact oriented manifold without boundary. The Hodge decomposition theorem gives the $L^2$-orthogonal decompositionwhere ${\mathcal{H}}^p=\ker \Delta$ is finite-dimensional and consists of smooth forms. Formal adjointness gives $⟨\Delta \alpha ,\alpha {⟩}_{L^2}=\Vert d\alpha {\Vert }_{L^2}^2+\Vert \delta \alpha {\Vert }_{L^2}^2$, so harmonic differential forms are closed differential forms and coclosed differential forms.

If $\Delta f\ge 0$, formal adjointness and $\Delta 1=0$ give ${\int }_M\Delta f=0$. A continuous nonnegative function with zero integral vanishes, so $\Delta f=0$. Then $\Vert df{\Vert }_{L^2}^2=⟨\Delta f,f⟩=0$. Thus the a function with nonnegative Laplacian on a closed manifold is locally constant assertion isIt is globally constant when $M$ is connected. The PDF does not explicitly include connectedness here; on two disjoint circles one may take different constants, so literal global constancy needs that qualification. Boundaryless is the standard manifold convention in this argument; otherwise boundary conditions are necessary.

For a closed differential form $\alpha$, write its Hodge decomposition as $\alpha =h+d\beta +\delta \gamma$. Since $d\alpha =dh=0$, we have $d\delta \gamma =0$. Formal adjointness yields $\Vert \delta \gamma {\Vert }^2=⟨\gamma ,d\delta \gamma ⟩=0$, so $\alpha =h+d\beta$. Thus $h$ represents its de Rham cohomology class. If two harmonic representatives differ by $d\beta$, their difference $h$ has $\Vert h{\Vert }^2=⟨d\beta ,h⟩=⟨\beta ,\delta h⟩=0$. Therefore

Finally let $h\in G$. A connected Lie group admits a smooth path $h_t$ from the identity to $h$. The maps $R_{h_t}$ give a smooth homotopy between the identity and $R_h$. The homotopy invariance of de Rham cohomology says their pullbacks agree on cohomology. The maps $R_{h_t}$ preserve orientation, since their Jacobian signs cannot change from the identity along the path. As an orientation-preserving isometry, $R_h$ commutes on forms with star, exterior differentiation, codifferentiation and consequently the Hodge Laplacian. Hence $R_h^{\ast }\alpha$ is harmonic and represents the same cohomology class as a harmonic $\alpha$. Uniqueness now proves the harmonic forms are fixed by a connected isometric group action conclusionThe argument also applies componentwise when $M$ is disconnected.

By the preceding sections, $\eta$ is a nowhere-zero closed differential form and $j^{\ast }\eta =0$. Injectivity of $j^{\ast }:H_{\mathrm{dR}}^1(M)\to H_{\mathrm{dR}}^1(\partial M)$ gives $[\eta ]=0$. The definition of de Rham cohomology then givesfor a smooth $f$, with no critical points. If the boundary were connected, $j^{\ast }df=0$ would make $f$ constant there. A nonconstant function on a compact manifold attains both extrema; a value differing from the common boundary value gives an interior extremum, contradicting $df\ne 0$. If $f$ were constant everywhere there would be the same contradiction. Empty boundary is also impossible, because an extremum would necessarily be interior. Thus $\boxed{\partial M\text{ has at least two connected components}}$, the boundary obstruction for commuting volume-preserving vector fields.

The solid torus $S^1\times D^2$ retracts onto its first circle. Its degree-one de Rham cohomology is generated by that circle's angular one-form, which restricts to a nonzero class on $S^1\times S^1$; hence the restriction map is injective. Its boundary is connected. Extensions of the two specified coordinate vector fields would be tangent there and would satisfy all the forbidden conditions. Therefore no such pair of extensions exists, for any volume form.

The tangent bundle is $TM={⨆}_{p\in M}{T}_{p}M$, with its smooth vector-bundle structure from coordinate charts. A vector field is a smooth section of this bundle. The Lie bracket of vector fields is their commutator as derivations:In coordinates, $[X,Y{]}^k=X^j{\partial }_j{Y}^k-Y^j{\partial }_j{X}^k$.

The four numbered conditions here are hypotheses of one argument, so the following sections assemble its proof. Let $j:\partial M\hookrightarrow M$. Because all $X_i$ are tangent to the boundary, evaluating $\eta ={\iota }_{X_1}\cdots {\iota }_{X_n}\omega$ on a tangent vector $Y$ there evaluates the volume form on $n+1$ vectors in the $n$-dimensional boundary tangent space. Alternation gives $\boxed{j^{\ast }\eta =0}$. This uses the interior product of a differential form and will make the boundary restriction of the de Rham cohomology class vanish.

Let $\omega$ be the Kähler form associated with the metric. The Lefschetz operator of a Kähler manifold and adjoint Lefschetz operator areHere the adjoint is taken with respect to the pointwise Hermitian inner product on complexified forms, or equivalently the global $L^2$ inner product. It lowers degree by two and bidegree by $(1,1)$. In terms of the Hodge star operator, $\Lambda ={\ast }^{-1}L\ast$.

Since $d\omega =0$, $dL=Ld$, so $L$ takes closed differential forms to closed differential forms and exact differential forms to exact differential forms. This already gives its action on de Rham cohomology. For both operators together, use the Kähler identities: $L$ commutes with the Hodge Laplacian, and taking adjoints shows that $\Lambda$ does too. Thus both preserve harmonic differential forms.

When $M$ is compact, the Hodge decomposition theorem identifies $H^k(M,\mathbb{C})$ with its space of harmonic $k$-forms. If $h_{\alpha }$ is the unique harmonic differential form representing $[\alpha ]$, defineThe resulting forms are harmonic and therefore closed, and uniqueness of $h_{\alpha }$ makes these definitions independent of the initial representative. The cohomological definition of $\Lambda$ uses harmonic differential forms as representatives: $\Lambda$ need not take an arbitrary closed form to a closed form.