C*-algebra approach to the index theory of boundary value problems

Abstract

Boutet de Monvel's calculus provides a pseudodifferential framework which encompasses the classical differential boundary value problems. In an extension of the concept of Lopatinski and Shapiro, it associates to each operator two symbols: a pseudodifferential principal symbol, which is a bundle homomorphism, and an operator-valued boundary symbol. Ellipticity requires the invertibility of both. If the underlying manifold is compact, elliptic elements define Fredholm operators. Boutet de Monvel showed how then the index can be computed in topological terms. The crucial observation is that elliptic operators can be mapped to compactly supported $K$-theory classes on the cotangent bundle over the interior of the manifold. The Atiyah-Singer topological index map, applied to this class, then furnishes the index of the operator. Based on this result, Fedosov, Rempel-Schulze and Grubb have given index formulas in terms of the symbols. In this paper we survey previous work how C*-algebra K-theory can be used to give a proof of Boutet de Monvel's index theorem for boundary value problems, and how the same techniques yield an index theorem for families of Boutet de Monvel operators. The key ingredient of our approach is a precise description of the K-theory of the kernel and of the image of the boundary symbol.