Harmonic Forms, Hodge Theory and the Kodaira Embedding Theorem

Abstract

In this expository article, we outline the theory of harmonic differential forms and its consequences. We provide self-contained proofs of the following important results in differential geometry: (1) Hodge theorem, which states that for a compact complex manifold, the de Rham cohomology group is isomorphic to the group of harmonic forms, (2) Hodge decomposition theorem, which states that for a Kähler manifold, the de Rham cohomology group decomposes into the Dolbeault cohomology groups, and (3) The Kodaira Embedding theorem, which gives a criterion of when a compact complex manifold is in fact a smooth complex projective variety. The basic theory of vector bundles is also contained for completeness.