Sections: | |
PM | A good introduction to modern pure mathematical differential geometry. |
phy | A useful introduction to the physics style of differential geometry. |
DF | Contains an exposition of the theory of differential forms. |
ST | Contains some useful material on the Stokes theorem. |
FB | Contains a useful introduction to fibre bundles. |
GC | Contains a useful introduction to general connections on general fibre bundles. |
hol | Contains some introductory material on holonomy groups. |
aff | Contains a useful introduction to affine connections (metric-free). |
JF | Contains useful introductory material on Jacobi fields, exponential maps and normal coordinates. |
RG | Contains useful introductory or advanced material on Riemannian geometry. |
HR | Contains an exposition of the Hopf-Rinow completeness theorem. |
PR | Contains useful material on pseudo-Riemannian geometry. |
GR | Contains an exposition of general relativity. |
GT | Contains some material on gauge theory. |
- Pure mathematical DG:
For an introduction to modern-style graduate-level pure mathematical differential geometry, I would suggest the following.- Bishop/Crittenden,
Geometry of manifolds
(1964). - Manfredo do Carmo,
Riemannian geometry
(1979, 1988, 1992). - Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981). - John M. Lee,
Riemannian manifolds
(1997). - Serge Lang,
Fundamentals of differential geometry
(1999). - John M. Lee,
Introduction to topological manifolds
(2000). - John M. Lee,
Introduction to smooth manifolds
(2002). - Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012).- This book is an informal (untidy) mixture of pure mathematical and physics approaches.
- Francisco Gómez-Ruiz,
Geometría diferencial y geometría de Riemann
(2015).
At the postgraduate/postdoctoral/professional level, I would suggest the following.
- Cheeger/Ebin,
Comparison theorems in Riemannian geometry
(1975). (Relatively gentle.) - Schoen/Yau,
Lectures on Differential Geometry
(1994). (Heavyweight lifting.) - Peter Petersen,
Riemannian geometry
(1998, 2006). (Advanced textbook.) - Morgan/Tián,
Ricci flow and the Poincaré conjecture
(2007). (Research monograph.)
For a good all-round introduction to modern differential geometry in the pure mathematical idiom, I would suggest first the Do Carmo book, then the three John M. Lee books and the Serge Lang book, then the Cheeger/Ebin and Petersen books, and finally the Morgan/Tián book. After that you should be ready to do some research! (It should take about 2 or 3 years to read and understand these books, assuming that you have done 3 years of university-level pure mathematics already.) The Schoen/Yau book lists hundreds of open problems in differential geometry for you to work on!
Broadly speaking, the pure mathematics DG books are principally concerned with pure static geometry, whereas the physics DG books are more concerned with what happens in a given geometry. In the physics books, the geometry is merely an arena where physics happens, although general relativity is concerned with the dynamic two-way interactions between the arena and the actors in the arena. Thus physics DG is more concerned with the structures which can be built on a geometric substrate, and the dynamic evolution and interactions of those structures, whereas pure mathematical DG typically only builds structures on a manifold as mathematical tools for the purpose of studying the static properties of the manifold itself.
- Bishop/Crittenden,
- Physics DG:
For something up-to-date at the 3rd or 4th year undergraduate level, with applicability to physics, I would suggest:- Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011).- This seems to be the leader of the pack for physicists wanting to study differential geometry.
- Peter Szekeres,
A course in modern mathematical physics: Groups, Hilbert space and differential geometry
(2004).- Contains about 175 pages on DG topics. It’s more systematic, with less hand-waving, than the Frankel book.
- Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012).- This book is strong from the physics viewpoint, mixed semi-informally with pure mathematics concepts.
Other books on differential geometry with direct relevance to physics are as follows.
- Weyl,
Raum, Zeit, Materie
(1918, 1922). - Synge/Schild,
Tensor calculus
(1949). - Lawden,
An introduction to tensor calculus, relativity and cosmology
(1962, 1967, 1975, 1982, 2002). - Misner/Thorne/Wheeler,
Gravitation
(1970). - Schutz,
Geometrical methods of mathematical physics
(1980). - Bleecker,
Gauge theory and variational principles
(1981).- Contains a 41-page crash course in DG for applications to gauge theory.
- Nash/Sen,
Topology and geometry for physicists
(1983). - Goenner,
Einführung in die spezielle und allgemeine Relativitätstheorie
(1996) pages 221–264. - Penrose,
The road to reality
(2005).- This is
pop science
for people who have a PhD in both mathematics and theoretical physics.
- This is
My personal suggestion for the physics angle on differential geometry would be to read the books by Szekeres, Frankel, Bleecker, Nash/Sen, and Sternberg, in that order. (However, beware that my expertise in this area is a bit thin.) You might have to read some of the pure mathematical books as background for the physics-oriented DG books. All physics DG books are more or less
stream of consciousness
. Your best choice of DG books would depend on whether you’re more interested in cosmology or quantum field theories. If you want to read some books which are morestream of consciousness
than average, you could try Misner/Thorne/Wheeler and Penrose if you have a lot of spare time up your sleeve. - Theodore Frankel,
- Differential forms:
Some books which are specifically focused on differential forms are as follows.- Harley Flanders,
Differential forms with applications to the physical sciences
(1963). - Henri Cartan,
Differential forms
(1967). - RWR Darling,
Differential forms and connections
(1994, 1999), is fairly up-to-date.
Other books which contain introductions to differential forms include the following.
- Guggenheimer,
Differential geometry
(1963) pages 179, 186–256, 282–313. - Kobayashi/Nomizu,
Foundations of differential geometry
(1963, 1969) Volume 1, pages 6–10, 33–38, 63–149. - Bishop/Crittenden,
Geometry of manifolds
(1964) pages 62–121, 129–148, 187–204. - Postnikov,
The variational theory of geodesics
(1967) pages 22–35, 75–79, 85–87. - Bishop/Goldberg,
Tensor analysis on manifolds
(1968) pages 165–205, 222–237. - Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) pages 54–85, 148–150, 156–159, 166–173, 187–212, 229–267. - Herbert Federer,
Geometric measure theory
(1969) pages 351–394. - Misner/Thorne/Wheeler,
Gravitation
(1970) pages 53–63, 83–129, 147–151, 348–382. - Michael Spivak,
A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry
(1970), Volume 1, pages 201–300; Volume 2, pages 259–289, 311–341. - Malliavin,
Géométrie différentielle intrinsèque
(1972), pages 71–76, 84–95, 102–122, 137–147, 155–181. - Sulanke/Wintgen,
Differentialgeometrie und Faserbündel
(1972) pages 101–118, 139–166, 202–267. - Lovelock/Rund,
Tensors, differential forms, and variational principles
(1975) pages 130–180, 207–213. - Japan Math. Society,
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Mathematics
(1980, 1993), 105.Q,T,U,V,W. - Bernard Schutz,
Geometrical methods of mathematical physics
(1980) pages 113–162. - Nash/Sen,
Topology and geometry for physicists
(1983) pages 40–48, 120–139.- This is a brief treatment from the physics point of view.
- Crampin/Pirani,
Applicable differential geometry
(1986, 1994) pages 85–187, 254–267, 277–283. - Gallot/Hulin/Lafontaine,
Riemannian Geometry
(1987, 1990) pages 42–47, 190–196. - Goenner,
Einführung in die spezielle und allgemeine Relativitätstheorie
(1996) pages 239–243. - Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 66–164, 361–388, 460–490. - Serge Lang,
Fundamentals of differential geometry
(1999) pages 124–154, 397–510. - John M. Lee,
Introduction to smooth manifolds
(2002) chapters 14–16. (I do not possess a copy of this book.) - Peter Szekeres,
A course in modern mathematical physics: Groups, Hilbert space and differential geometry
(2004) pages 204–227, 447–505, 527–534. - Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012) pages 52–82, 161–187. - Francisco Gómez-Ruiz,
Geometría diferencial y geometría de Riemann
(2015), pages 93–131.
- Harley Flanders,
- The Stokes theorem:
Of course, this is really the Kelvin theorem, and credit also belongs to Gauß, Green, Ampère, etc.- Weyl,
Raum, Zeit, Materie
(1918, 1922), pages 109–112. - Synge/Schild,
Tensor calculus
(1949), pages 267–277. - Struik,
Lectures on classical differential geometry: Second Edition
(1950, 1961), pages 208–209. - Flanders,
Differential forms with applications to the physical sciences
(1963) pages 64–66. - Guggenheimer,
Differential geometry
(1963) pages 190–193. - Kobayashi/Nomizu,
Foundations of differential geometry
(1963, 1969) Volume 1, pages 281–283.- Called
Green’s formula
.
- Called
- Henri Cartan,
Differential forms
(1967), pages 76–82. - Bishop/Goldberg,
Tensor analysis on manifolds
(1968) pages 195–199. - Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) pages 74–81. - Herbert Federer,
Geometric measure theory
(1969) pages 391, 478.- Called a Gauß-Green theorem.
- Misner/Thorne/Wheeler,
Gravitation
(1970) pages 94–98, 127, 150–151. - Michael Spivak,
A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry
, (1970), Volume 1, pages 253–263, Volume 4, pages 132–134. - Sulanke/Wintgen,
Differentialgeometrie und Faserbündel
(1972) pages 213–217. - Lovelock/Rund,
Tensors, differential forms, and variational principles
(1975) pages 156–163.- See pages 281–287 for the Gauß divergence theorem in a Riemannian space.
- Japan Math. Society,
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Mathematics
(1980, 1993), 94.F, 105.U, 194.B, App. A, Table 3.III. - Bernard Schutz,
Geometrical methods of mathematical physics
(1980) pages 144–150. - Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981) pages 157–158. - Gallot/Hulin/Lafontaine,
Riemannian Geometry
(1987, 1990) pages 182–184. - RWR Darling,
Differential forms and connections
(1994, 1999), pages 183–193. - Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 110–117, 155. - Serge Lang,
Fundamentals of differential geometry
(1999) pages 475–510. - Peter Szekeres,
A course in modern mathematical physics: Groups, Hilbert space and differential geometry
(2004) pages 486–493. - Penrose,
The road to reality
(2005) pages 230–233. - Francisco Gómez-Ruiz,
Geometría diferencial y geometría de Riemann
(2015), pages 117–122.
- Weyl,
- Fibre bundles:
Fibre bundles have been around since Seifert (1932). The first published recognition of the strong relation between fibre bundles and gauge theory was by Dennis Sciama (1958). The following are some useful presentations of fibre bundles.- Norman Steenrod,
The topology of fibre bundles
(1951) [the whole book]. - Auslander/McKenzie,
Introduction to differentiable manifolds
(1963) pages 158–185. - Kobayashi/Nomizu,
Foundations of differential geometry
(1963, 1969) Volume 1, pages 50–62. - Bishop/Crittenden,
Geometry of manifolds
(1964) pages 38–52. - Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) pages 252–254. - Michael Spivak,
A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry
(1970, 1979, 1999) Volume 2, pages 305–311. - Sulanke/Wintgen,
Differentialgeometrie und Faserbündel
(1972) pages 78–109. - Schutz,
Geometrical methods of mathematical physics
(1980) pages 35–42, 174–175.- This is a very short treatment of fibre bundles from the physics point of view.
- Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981) pages 1–39, 243–302. - Nash/Sen,
Topology and geometry for physicists
(1983) pages 140–226.- This is a fairly lengthy treatment of fibre bundles from the physics point of view.
- Crampin/Pirani,
Applicable differential geometry
(1986, 1994) pages 353–370. - Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 451–474, 481–483. - Serge Lang,
Fundamentals of differential geometry
(1999) pages 43–65.
- Norman Steenrod,
- General connections:
The following are some useful presentations of general connections on general fibre bundles.- Kobayashi/Nomizu,
Foundations of differential geometry
(1963, 1969) Volume 1, pages 63–112. - Bishop/Crittenden,
Geometry of manifolds
(1964) pages 74–88. - Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) pages 254–260. - Michael Spivak,
A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry
(1970, 1979, 1999) Volume 2, pages 305–349. - Sulanke/Wintgen,
Differentialgeometrie und Faserbündel
(1972) pages 125–201. - Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981) pages 40–111. - Nash/Sen,
Topology and geometry for physicists
(1983) pages 174–183.- This is a very brief treatment from the physics point of view.
- Crampin/Pirani,
Applicable differential geometry
(1986, 1994) pages 371–382. - Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 475–490. - Serge Lang,
Fundamentals of differential geometry
(1999) pages 103–109. - Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012) pages 315–345.
- Kobayashi/Nomizu,
- Holonomy groups:
Apparently it was Élie Cartan in 1926 who first published the idea of holonomy groups.- Guggenheimer,
Differential geometry
(1963) pages 320–327. - Kobayashi/Nomizu,
Foundations of differential geometry
(1963, 1969) Volume 1, pages 71–74, 89–91, 94–102, 179–197, 244–247; Volume 2, pages 204–209. - Sulanke/Wintgen,
Differentialgeometrie und Faserbündel
(1972) pages 177–186. - Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981) pages 51–71, 129–130, 280–288. - Crampin/Pirani,
Applicable differential geometry
(1986, 1994) pages 378–382. - Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 259–263. - Peter Petersen,
Riemannian geometry
(1998, 2006) pages 252–262.
- Guggenheimer,
- Affine connections (metric-free) on manifolds:
If you’re interested in affine connections on manifolds in the absence of a metric, there are fairly substantial treatments by the following.- Weyl,
Raum, Zeit, Materie
(1918, 1922), pages 88–121.- Hermann Weyl was apparently the
inventor
of metric-free affinely connected manifolds.
- Hermann Weyl was apparently the
- Synge/Schild,
Tensor calculus
(1949), pages 282–312. - Thomas Willmore,
An introduction to differential geometry
(1959) pages 208–221. - Bishop/Crittenden,
Geometry of manifolds
(1964) pages 74–121. - Postnikov,
The variational theory of geodesics
(1967) pages 49–79. - Misner/Thorne/Wheeler,
Gravitation
(1970) pages 244–288. - Lovelock/Rund,
Tensors, differential forms, and variational principles
(1975) pages 65–100. - Schutz,
Geometrical methods of mathematical physics
(1980) pages 201–216. - Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981) pages 40–111. - Nash/Sen,
Topology and geometry for physicists
(1983) pages 184–191.- This is a very brief treatment from the physics point of view.
- Peter Szekeres,
A course in modern mathematical physics: Groups, Hilbert space and differential geometry
(2004) pages 506–514. - Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012) pages 85–119.
- Weyl,
- Geodesic coordinates, normal coordinates, exponential maps, Jacobi fields:
Useful presentations of (some or all of) geodesic coordinates, normal coordinates, exponential maps (of a connection) and Jacobi fields are found in the following books.- Darboux,
Leçons sur la théorie générale des surfaces et les applications géométriques du calcul infinitésimal
, Volume 3 (1894), part VI, pages 1–192. - Levi-Civita,
The Absolute Differential Calculus
(1926) pages 208–220. - Struik,
Lectures on classical differential geometry: Second Edition
(1950, 1961), pages 136–140.- Only geodesic coordinates for surfaces embedded in Euclidean space.
- Thomas Willmore,
An introduction to differential geometry
(1959) pages 54–75, 145–151. - Kobayashi/Nomizu,
Foundations of differential geometry
(1963, 1969) Volume 1, pages 138–151, 162–179, Volume 2, pages 63–88. - Bishop/Crittenden,
Geometry of manifolds
(1964) pages 145–160, 213–257. - Mikhail Postnikov,
The variational theory of geodesics
(1967) pages 49–197. - Bishop/Goldberg,
Tensor analysis on manifolds
(1968) pages 244–250. - Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) pages 108–117. - Misner/Thorne/Wheeler,
Gravitation
(1970) pages 207–224, 244–288. - Michael Spivak,
A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry
, (1970, 1979, 1999), Volume 1, pages 314–343, Volume 4, pages 201–223. - Cheeger/Ebin,
Comparison theorems in Riemannian geometry
(1975) pages 3–29. - Manfredo do Carmo,
Riemannian geometry
(1979, 1988, 1992) pages 60–87, 110–123. - Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981) pages 93–103. - Crampin/Pirani,
Applicable differential geometry
(1986, 1994) pages 283–287, 336–343. - Gallot/Hulin/Lafontaine,
Riemannian Geometry
(1987, 1990) pages 80–105, 112–124. - Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 232–239, 269–290. - John M. Lee,
Riemannian manifolds
(1997) pages 58–113, 173–191. - Peter Petersen,
Riemannian geometry
(1998, 2006) pages 48–51, 130–132, 158–161.- A few brief pages.
- Serge Lang,
Fundamentals of differential geometry
(1999) pages 96–109, 199–262, 267–308. - Peter Szekeres,
A course in modern mathematical physics: Groups, Hilbert space and differential geometry
(2004) pages 508–509, 520–524. - Morgan/Tián,
Ricci flow and the Poincaré conjecture
(2007) pages 10–18. - Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012) pages 104–115, 193–203. - Francisco Gómez-Ruiz,
Geometría diferencial y geometría de Riemann
(2015), pages 187–193, 251–266.
- Darboux,
- Riemannian geometry:
Riemannian geometry is mostly written about by pure mathematicians. Pseudo-Riemmanian geometry is mostly written about by physicists. A few books are not listed here because, although they define Riemannian manifolds, they are really about topology with almost no relevance for Riemannian geometry.- Weyl,
Raum, Zeit, Materie
(1918, 1922), pages 1–141.- Good coverage of Riemannian manifolds, especially considering the date of publication!
- Synge/Schild,
Tensor calculus
(1949).- The whole book is about Riemannian manifolds.
- Erwin Kreyszig,
Differential geometry
(1959).- One could argue that this is a book about Riemannian manifolds, but the manifolds are all embedded, and basically all two-dimensional.
- Thomas Willmore,
An introduction to differential geometry
(1959).- The whole book is about either embedded manifolds with a metric or Riemannian manifolds.
- Lawden,
An introduction to tensor calculus, relativity and cosmology
(1962, 1967, 1975, 1982, 2002) pages 86–126.- One chapter on physics-oriented Riemannian manifolds at the end of the book.
- Auslander/McKenzie,
Introduction to differentiable manifolds
(1963) pages 94–105.- A tiny amount of very basic coverage of Riemannian manifolds.
- Flanders,
Differential forms with applications to the physical sciences
(1963) pages 127–143.- A few pages of basic coverage of Riemannian manifolds.
- Guggenheimer,
Differential geometry
(1963) pages 314–364.- One chapter on Riemannian manifolds at the end of the book.
- Kobayashi/Nomizu,
Foundations of differential geometry
(1963, 1969) Volume 1, pages 154–314, Volume 2, pages 1–113.- Some pure mathematical coverage of Riemannian manifolds.
- Bishop/Crittenden,
Geometry of manifolds
(1964) pages 122–257.- Fairly advanced coverage of pure mathematical Riemannian manifolds related to proving topology from constraints on curvature.
- Mikhail Postnikov,
The variational theory of geodesics
(1967) pages 80–104.- Some coverage of Riemannian manifolds, but not a large amount.
- Bishop/Goldberg,
Tensor analysis on manifolds
(1968) pages 206–254.- Some fairly old-fashioned coverage of Riemannian and pseudo-Riemannian manifolds.
- Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) pages 89–136.- Some coverage of Riemannian manifolds, but not a large amount.
- Misner/Thorne/Wheeler,
Gravitation
(1970) pages 1–382.- General-relativity-oriented Riemannian and pseudo-Riemannian geometry.
- Michael Spivak,
A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry
, (1970, 1979, 1999).- Volumes I and II of the Spivak 5-volume DG book are mostly about Riemannian geometry.
- Cheeger/Ebin,
Comparison theorems in Riemannian geometry
(1975).- An introduction to research-oriented pure mathematical Riemannian geometry.
- Lovelock/Rund,
Tensors, differential forms, and variational principles
(1975) pages 239–297.- This is a more-or-less physics-oriented book with a useful couple of chapters on Riemannian manifolds.
- Manfredo do Carmo,
Riemannian geometry
(1979, 1988, 1992).- A mainstream introduction to standard pure mathematical Riemannian geometry.
- Bernard Schutz,
Geometrical methods of mathematical physics
(1980) pages 201–222.- This is a physics book with a chapter at the end on Riemannian manifolds.
- Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981).- This book has a fair amount of pure mathematical Riemannian geometry.
- Gallot/Hulin/Lafontaine,
Riemannian Geometry
(1987, 1990).- A fairly chaotic introduction to pure mathematical Riemannian geometry.
- Kosinski,
Differential manifolds
(1993, 2007).- This is a pure mathematical book about topology of manifolds, although it is presented in the framework of Riemannian geometry.
- Schoen/Yau,
Lectures on Differential Geometry
(1994).- This is not an introduction to differential geometry. It is a research monograph, mostly concerned with Riemannian geometry at the postgraduate/postdoctoral/professional level.
- Goenner,
Einführung in die spezielle und allgemeine Relativitätstheorie
(1996) pages 221–264.- A fairly brief introduction to Riemannian geometry from the physics perspective. This is then applied to general relativity.
- Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011).- This book is mostly about Riemannian geometry. Although it is strongly physics-oriented, it deals well with the mathematical aspects.
- John M. Lee,
Riemannian manifolds
(1997).- A relatively gentle but competent introduction to modern pure mathematical Riemannian geometry.
- Peter Petersen,
Riemannian geometry
(1998, 2006).- A modern, advanced book on pure mathematical Riemannian geometry. Not really for beginners.
- Serge Lang,
Fundamentals of differential geometry
(1999) pages 173–510.- A modern, advanced book on pure mathematical Riemannian geometry. Not really for beginners.
- Morgan/Tián,
Ricci flow and the Poincaré conjecture
(2007).- A research monograph, mostly about pure mathematical Riemannian geometry. Not a beginners’ book.
- Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012).- A modern, advanced book, mostly about Riemannian geometry, both pure mathematical and physics-oriented. Not a beginners’ book.
- Ashok Katti,
The mathematical theory of special and general relativity
(2013) pages 223–269.- Very physics-oriented. Lots of indices.
- Francisco Gómez-Ruiz,
Geometría diferencial y geometría de Riemann
(2015), pages 133–368.
- Weyl,
- Hopf-Rinow theorem:
The Hopf-Rinow completeness theorem (1931) states that under specific conditions on a Riemannian manifold, every pair of points can be joined by a curve whose length is equal to the distance between the two points.- Guggenheimer,
Differential geometry
(1963) pages 285–286. - Kobayashi/Nomizu,
Foundations of differential geometry
(1963, 1969) Volume 1, pages 172–179. - Bishop/Crittenden,
Geometry of manifolds
(1964) pages 152–158. - Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) page 120. - Michael Spivak,
A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry
, (1970, 1979, 1999), Volume 1, pages 342–343. - Cheeger/Ebin,
Comparison theorems in Riemannian geometry
(1975) pages 9–11. - Manfredo do Carmo,
Riemannian geometry
(1979, 1988, 1992) pages 144–149. - Walter Poor,
Differential geometric structures
(1981) page 136. - Gallot/Hulin/Lafontaine,
Riemannian Geometry
(1987, 1990) pages 94–95. - Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) page 564. - John M. Lee,
Riemannian manifolds
(1997) pages 91–113. - Peter Petersen,
Riemannian geometry
(1998, 2006) pages 137–139. - Serge Lang,
Fundamentals of differential geometry
(1999) pages 225–226. - Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012) pages 205–215. - Francisco Gómez-Ruiz,
Geometría diferencial y geometría de Riemann
(2015), pages 233–237.
- Guggenheimer,
- Pseudo-Riemannian geometry:
Also known as semi-Riemannian geometry. Includes Minkowskian geometry, also known as space-time geometry.- Levi-Civita,
The Absolute Differential Calculus
(1926) pages 320–359, 369–383. - Bishop/Goldberg,
Tensor analysis on manifolds
(1968) pages 208, 210–211, 215–216, 219, 238–244, 249. - Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) pages 89, 94–100, 120–125. - Misner/Thorne/Wheeler,
Gravitation
(1970) pages 304–358. - Lovelock/Rund,
Tensors, differential forms, and variational principles
(1975) pages 298–326 (field theory). - Crampin/Pirani,
Applicable differential geometry
(1986, 1994) pages 262–265. - O’Neill,
The geometry of Kerr black holes
(1995) pages 12–55. - Goenner,
Einführung in die spezielle und allgemeine Relativitätstheorie
(1996) pages 217–264. - Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 291–332. - Rebhan,
Theoretische Physik: Mechanik, Elektrodynamik, Relativitätstheorie, Kosmologie
, Volume I (1999) pages 935–985. - Peter Szekeres,
A course in modern mathematical physics: Groups, Hilbert space and differential geometry
(2004) pages 516–542. - Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012) pages 117–148, 161–187, 231–289.
- Levi-Civita,
- General relativity:
By general relativity, I mean curved space-time models where the curvature is related to the stress-energy tensor. So this is an application of pseudo-Riemannian spaces. Surprisingly perhaps, differential geometry seems to be more often applied to particle physics than to curved space, given that originally DG became popular with physicists for its relevance to GR.- Weyl,
Raum, Zeit, Materie
(1918, 1922).- The whole book is an excellent exposition of general relativity. It’s still one of the best introductions to the subject.
- Levi-Civita,
The Absolute Differential Calculus
(1926) pages 287–439.- Levi-Civita’s invention of the Levi-Civita connection appeared shortly before Weyl’s general affine connections. This book first presents the necessary DG before applying it to general relativity at length and in detail.
- Lawden,
An introduction to tensor calculus, relativity and cosmology
(1962, 1967, 1975, 1982, 2002) pages 127–197.- A fairly broad range of topics.
- Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat,
Géométrie différentielle et systèmes extérieurs
(1968) pages 316–321.- Just 6 pages at the end of the book. Not really an
exposition
of the subject.
- Just 6 pages at the end of the book. Not really an
- Misner/Thorne/Wheeler,
Gravitation
(1970) pages 1 1217.- The whole book is a thorough-going exposition of general relativity, black holes, cosmology, etc.
- Bernard Schutz,
Geometrical methods of mathematical physics
(1980) pages 188–199.- Some very brief topics in cosmology, not an exposition.
- Goenner,
Einführung in die spezielle und allgemeine Relativitätstheorie
(1996) pages 175–454.- An extensive exposition of general relativity, black holes, cosmology, etc.
- Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 291–322.- Presents some geometry underlying general relativity. This book is much more oriented to quantum field theory than general relativity.
- Rebhan,
Theoretische Physik: Mechanik, Elektrodynamik, Relativitätstheorie, Kosmologie
, Volume I (1999) pages 895–1196.- An extensive exposition of general relativity, black holes, cosmology, etc.
- Peter Szekeres,
A course in modern mathematical physics: Groups, Hilbert space and differential geometry
(2004) pages 534–557.- Surprisingly brief exposition, considering that GR is Szekeres’s principal research area.
- Penrose,
The road to reality
(2005) pages 383–410, 686–778.- Some informal presentation of topics in cosmology. Not much mathematical theory to support it. More suitable for the coffee table than the departmental library.
- Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012) pages 271–289.- Some mathematical theory related to general relativity.
- Ashok Katti,
The mathematical theory of special and general relativity
(2013) pages 80–218.- A good introduction to a wide range of topics in general relativity.
- Weyl,
- Gauge theory:
Gauge theory applies connection forms on principal bundles to Lagrangians for theories such as gravity, electromagnetism or Yang-Mills theory for the standard model. Most of the books listed here only mention gauge transformations very briefly. So most are not useful for Yang-Mills and quantum field theory in the standard model. (Of course, you have to read the physics literature to get seriously into this subject.)- Synge/Schild,
Tensor calculus
(1949) pages 298–307.- Some material on Weyl’s gauge transformations and gauge invariance. Very old-fashioned and not very useful.
- Bernard Schutz,
Geometrical methods of mathematical physics
(1980) pages 219–222.- Some basic gauge theory definitions for Klein-Gordon equation and electromagnetism.
- Bleecker,
Gauge theory and variational principles
(1981).- The whole book is a lucid explanation of the overlap between fibre bundles and gauge theory, ideal for mathematicians.
- Nash/Sen,
Topology and geometry for physicists
(1983) pages 256–303.- Some serious Yang-Mills gauge theory, including instantons and twistors.
- RWR Darling,
Differential forms and connections
(1994, 1999), pages 223–250.- A serious chapter on gauge field theory, including Yang-Mills Lagrangians and instantons.
- Schoen/Yau,
Lectures on Differential Geometry
(1994) pages 303–305.- A small list of open problems for Yang-Mills theory and general relativity.
- Goenner,
Einführung in die spezielle und allgemeine Relativitätstheorie
(1996) pages 80–81, 211–213. 325–334.- Some gauge transformations for gravity and gravity waves.
- Theodore Frankel,
The geometry of physics: An introduction
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2011) pages 439–448, 523–558.- There’s a serious whole chapter on Yang-Mills fields, Lagrange equations, and instantons, plus Schrödinger’s equation in an EM field.
- Rebhan,
Theoretische Physik: Mechanik, Elektrodynamik, Relativitätstheorie, Kosmologie
, Volume I (1999) pages 402–404, 582–583, 663–667.- The basic theory of gauge potentials for classical EM theory.
- Peter Szekeres,
A course in modern mathematical physics: Groups, Hilbert space and differential geometry
(2004) pages 247–249.- Some brief formulas for EM gauge transformations.
- Penrose,
The road to reality
(2005) pages 449–455, 489–491.- Some brief formulas for EM gauge transformations.
- Shlomo Sternberg,
Curvature in mathematics and physics
(2012) pages 347–356.- Some brief material on gauge theories and gauge groups.
- Synge/Schild,