Tertiary classes for a one-parameter variation of flat connections on a smooth manifold

Abstract

In this note, we extend the theory of Chern-Cheeger-Simons to construct canonical invariants for a one-parameter family of flat connections on a smooth manifold. These invariants lie in degrees $(2p-2)$-cohomology with $\C/\Z$-cohomology, for $p\ge 2$. Furthermore, they are shown to be rigid in a variation of paths (parametrising flat connections), in degrees at least three.