Integration on a Compact Connected Lie Group

Abstract

This chapter explores integration on a compact connected Lie group. One of the great advantages of working with a compact Lie group is the possibility of extending the notion of averaging from a finite group to the compact Lie group. If the compact Lie group is connected, then there exists a unique bi-invariant top-degree form with total integral 1, which simplifies the presentation of averaging. The averaging operator is useful for constructing invariant objects. For example, suppose a compact connected Lie group G acts smoothly on the left on a manifold M. Given any C∞ differential k-form ω‎ on M, by averaging all the left translates of ω‎ over G, one can produce a C∞ invariant k-form on M. As another example, on a G-manifold one can average all translates of a Riemannian metric to produce an invariant Riemann metric.