passagemath-symbolics 10.8.1a1__cp311-cp311-macosx_13_0_arm64.whl

sage/manifolds/differentiable/characteristic_cohomology_class.py

@@ -0,0 +1,1840 @@
+# sage_setup: distribution = sagemath-symbolics
+# sage.doctest: needs sage.combinat
+r"""
+Characteristic cohomology classes
+
+A *characteristic class* `\kappa` is a natural transformation that
+associates with each vector bundle `E \to M` a cohomology class
+`\kappa(E) \in H^*(M;R)` such that for any continuous map `f\colon N \to M`
+from another topological manifold `N`, the *naturality condition* is
+satisfied:
+
+.. MATH::
+
+    f^*\kappa(E) = \kappa(f^* E) \in H^*(N;R)
+
+The cohomology class `\kappa(E)` is called *characteristic cohomology class*.
+Roughly speaking, characteristic cohomology classes measure the non-triviality
+of vector bundles.
+
+One way to obtain and compute characteristic classes in the de Rham cohomology
+with coefficients in the ring `\CC` is via the so-called *Chern-Weil theory*
+using the curvature of a differentiable vector bundle.
+
+For that let `\nabla` be a connection on `E`, `e` a local frame on
+`E` and `\Omega` be the corresponding curvature matrix
+(see: :meth:`~sage.manifolds.differentiable.bundle_connection.BundleConnection.curvature_form`).
+
+Namely, if `P: \mathrm{Mat}_{n \times n}(\CC) \to \CC` is an invariant
+polynomial, the object
+
+.. MATH::
+
+    \left[ P \left( \Omega \right) \right] \in H^{2*}_{\mathrm{dR}}(M, \CC)
+
+is well-defined, independent of the choice of `\nabla` (the proof can be
+found in [Roe1988]_ pp. 31) and fulfills the naturality condition.
+This is the foundation of the Chern-Weil theory and the following definitions.
+
+.. NOTE::
+
+    This documentation is rich of examples, but sparse in explanations. Please
+    consult the references for more details.
+
+AUTHORS:
+
+- Michael Jung (2019) : initial version
+- Michael Jung (2021) : new algorithm; complete refactoring
+
+REFERENCES:
+
+- [Mil1974]_
+- [Roe1988]_
+
+Contents
+--------
+
+We consider the following three types of classes:
+
+- :ref:`additive`
+- :ref:`multiplicative`
+- :ref:`Pfaffian`
+
+.. _additive:
+
+Additive Classes
+----------------
+
+In the **complex** case, let `f` be a holomorphic function around zero. Then
+we call
+
+.. MATH::
+
+    \left[\mathrm{tr}\left( f\left( \frac{\Omega}{2 \pi i} \right)
+        \right)\right] \in H^{2*}_{\mathrm{dR}}(M, \CC)
+
+the *additive characteristic class associated to* `f` of the complex vector
+bundle `E`.
+
+Important and predefined additive classes are:
+
+- *Chern Character* with `f(x) = \exp(x)`
+
+In the **real** case, let `g` be a holomorphic function around zero with
+`g(0)=0`. Then we call
+
+.. MATH::
+
+    \left[\mathrm{tr}\left( \frac{1}{2} g\left( -\frac{\Omega^2}{4 \pi^2}
+        \right) \right)\right] \in H^{4*}_{\mathrm{dR}}(M, \CC)
+
+the *additive characteristic class associated to* `g` of the **real** vector
+bundle `E`.
+
+EXAMPLES:
+
+Consider the **Chern character** on some 2-dimensional spacetime::
+
+    sage: M = Manifold(2, 'M', structure='Lorentzian')
+    sage: X.<t,x> = M.chart()
+    sage: E = M.vector_bundle(1, 'E', field='complex'); E
+    Differentiable complex vector bundle E -> M of rank 1 over the base space
+     2-dimensional Lorentzian manifold M
+    sage: e = E.local_frame('e')
+
+Let us define the connection `\nabla^E` in terms of an electro-magnetic
+potential `A(t)`::
+
+    sage: nab = E.bundle_connection('nabla^E', latex_name=r'\nabla^E')
+    sage: omega = M.one_form(name='omega')
+    sage: A = function('A')
+    sage: nab.set_connection_form(0, 0)[1] = I*A(t)
+    sage: nab[0, 0].display()
+    connection (0,0) of bundle connection nabla^E w.r.t. Local frame
+     (E|_M, (e_0)) = I*A(t) dx
+    sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+The Chern character is then given by::
+
+    sage: ch = E.characteristic_cohomology_class('ChernChar'); ch
+    Characteristic cohomology class ch(E) of the Differentiable complex vector
+     bundle E -> M of rank 1 over the base space 2-dimensional Lorentzian
+     manifold M
+
+The corresponding characteristic form w.r.t. the bundle connection can be
+obtained via :meth:`get_form`::
+
+    sage: ch_form = ch.get_form(nab); ch_form.display_expansion()
+    ch(E, nabla^E) = 1 + 1/2*d(A)/dt/pi dt∧dx
+
+.. _multiplicative:
+
+Multiplicative Classes
+----------------------
+
+In the **complex** case, let `f` be a holomorphic function around zero.
+Then we call
+
+.. MATH::
+
+    \left[\det\left( f\left( \frac{\Omega}{2 \pi i} \right)
+        \right)\right] \in H^{2*}_{\mathrm{dR}}(M, \CC)
+
+the *multiplicative characteristic class associated to* `f` of the complex
+vector bundle `E`.
+
+Important and predefined multiplicative classes on complex vector bundles are:
+
+- *Chern class* with `f(x) = 1+x`
+- *Todd class* with `f(x) = \frac{x}{1-\exp(-x)}`
+
+In the **real** case, let `g` be a holomorphic function around zero with
+`g(0)=1`. Then we call
+
+.. MATH::
+
+    \left[\det\left( \sqrt{ g \left( -\frac{\Omega^2}{4 \pi^2} \right) } \right)
+        \right] \in H^{4*}_{\mathrm{dR}}(M, \CC)
+
+the *multiplicative characteristic class associated to* `g` on the **real**
+vector bundle `E`.
+
+Important and predefined multiplicative classes on real vector bundles are:
+
+- *Pontryagin class* with `g(x) = 1+x`
+- `\hat{A}` *class* with `g(x) = \frac{\sqrt{x}/2}{\sinh(\sqrt{x}/2)}`
+- *Hirzebruch class* with `g(x) = \frac{\sqrt{x}}{\tanh(\sqrt{x})}`
+
+EXAMPLES:
+
+We consider the **Chern class** of the tautological line bundle `\gamma^1` over
+`\CC\mathbf{P}^1`::
+
+    sage: M = Manifold(2, 'CP^1', start_index=1)
+    sage: U = M.open_subset('U')
+    sage: c_cart.<x,y> = U.chart() # homogeneous coordinates in real terms
+    sage: c_comp.<z, zbar> = U.chart(r'z:z zbar:\bar{z}') # complexification
+    sage: cart_to_comp = c_cart.transition_map(c_comp, (x+I*y, x-I*y))
+    sage: comp_to_cart = cart_to_comp.inverse()
+    sage: E = M.vector_bundle(1, 'gamma^1', field='complex')
+    sage: e = E.local_frame('e', domain=U)
+
+To apply the Chern-Weil approach, we need a bundle connection in terms of a
+connection one form. To achieve this, we take the connection induced from the
+hermitian metric on the trivial bundle
+`\CC^2 \times \CC\mathbf{P}^1 \supset \gamma^1`. In this the frame `e`
+corresponds to the section `[z:1] \mapsto (z,1)` and its magnitude-squared
+is given by `1+|z|^2`::
+
+    sage: nab = E.bundle_connection('nabla')
+    sage: omega = U.one_form(name='omega')
+    sage: omega[c_comp.frame(),1,c_comp] = zbar/(1+z*zbar)
+    sage: nab[e, 1, 1] = omega
+    sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+Now, the Chern class can be constructed::
+
+    sage: c = E.characteristic_cohomology_class('Chern'); c
+    Characteristic cohomology class c(gamma^1) of the Differentiable complex
+     vector bundle gamma^1 -> CP^1 of rank 1 over the base space 2-dimensional
+     differentiable manifold CP^1
+    sage: c_form = c.get_form(nab)
+    sage: c_form.display_expansion(c_comp.frame(), chart=c_comp)
+    c(gamma^1, nabla) = 1 + 1/2*I/(pi + pi*z^2*zbar^2 + 2*pi*z*zbar) dz∧dzbar
+
+Since `U` and `\CC\mathbf{P}^1` differ only by a point and therefore a null
+set, it is enough to integrate the top form over the domain `U`::
+
+    sage: integrate(integrate(c_form[2][[1,2]].expr(c_cart), x, -infinity, infinity).full_simplify(),
+    ....:           y, -infinity, infinity)
+    1
+
+The result shows that `c_1(\gamma^1)` generates the second integer
+cohomology of `\CC\mathbf{P}^1`.
+
+.. _Pfaffian:
+
+Pfaffian Classes
+----------------
+
+Usually, there is no such thing as "Pfaffian classes" in literature. However,
+using the matrix' Pfaffian and inspired by the aforementioned definitions,
+such classes can be defined as follows.
+
+Let `E` be a real vector bundle of rank `2n` and `f` an odd real function
+being analytic at zero. Furthermore, let `\Omega` be skew-symmetric, which
+certainly will be true if `\nabla` is metric and `e` is orthonormal. Then
+we call
+
+.. MATH::
+
+    \left[\mathrm{Pf}\left( f\left( \frac{\Omega}{2 \pi} \right) \right)\right]
+        \in H^{2n*}(M,\RR)
+
+the *Pfaffian class associated to f*.
+
+The most important Pfaffian class is the *Euler class* which is simply given by
+`f(x)=x`.
+
+EXAMPLES:
+
+We consider the **Euler class** of `S^2`::
+
+    sage: M.<x,y> = manifolds.Sphere(2, coordinates='stereographic')
+    sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+    sage: e_class = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('Euler'); e_class
+    Characteristic cohomology class e(TS^2) of the Tangent bundle TS^2 over the
+     2-sphere S^2 of radius 1 smoothly embedded in the Euclidean space E^3
+
+To compute a particular representative of the Euler class, we need to determine
+a connection, which is in this case given by the standard metric::
+
+    sage: g = M.metric('g') # standard metric on S2, long time
+    sage: nab = g.connection() # long time
+    sage: nab.set_immutable() # long time
+
+Now the representative of the Euler class with respect to the connection
+`\nabla_g` induced by the standard metric can be computed::
+
+    sage: e_class_form = e_class.get_form(nab) # long time
+    sage: e_class_form.display_expansion() # long time
+    e(TS^2, nabla_g) = 2/(pi + pi*x^4 + pi*y^4 + 2*pi*x^2 + 2*(pi + pi*x^2)*y^2) dx∧dy
+
+Let us check whether this form represents the Euler class correctly::
+
+    sage: # long time
+    sage: expr = e_class_form[2][[1,2]].expr()
+    sage: expr = integrate(expr, x, -infinity, infinity)
+    sage: expr = expr.simplify_full()
+    sage: integrate(expr, y, -infinity, infinity)
+    2
+
+As we can see, the integral coincides with the Euler characteristic of `S^2` so
+that our form actually represents the Euler class appropriately.
+"""
+
+# *****************************************************************************
+#       Copyright (C) 2021 Michael Jung <m.jung at vu.nl>
+#
+#  Distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL)
+#  as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of
+#  the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+#                  https://www.gnu.org/licenses/
+# *****************************************************************************
+
+from sage.algebras.finite_gca import FiniteGCAlgebra
+from sage.manifolds.differentiable.affine_connection import AffineConnection
+from sage.manifolds.differentiable.bundle_connection import BundleConnection
+from sage.manifolds.differentiable.levi_civita_connection import LeviCivitaConnection
+from sage.misc.abstract_method import abstract_method
+from sage.misc.cachefunc import cached_method
+from sage.misc.fast_methods import Singleton
+from sage.modules.with_basis.indexed_element import IndexedFreeModuleElement
+from sage.rings.polynomial.polynomial_element import Polynomial
+from sage.rings.polynomial.polynomial_ring_constructor import PolynomialRing
+from sage.structure.sage_object import SageObject
+from sage.symbolic.expression import Expression
+
+
+class CharacteristicCohomologyClassRingElement(IndexedFreeModuleElement):
+    r"""
+    Characteristic cohomology class.
+
+    Let `E \to M` be a real/complex vector bundle of rank `k`. A characteristic
+    cohomology class of `E` is generated by either
+
+    - Chern classes if `E` is complex,
+    - Pontryagin classes if `E` is real,
+    - Pontryagin classes and the Euler class if `E` is real and orientable,
+
+    via the Chern-Weil homomorphism.
+
+    For details about the ring structure, see
+    :class:`CharacteristicCohomologyClassRing`.
+
+    To construct a characteristic cohomology class, please use
+    :func:`CharacteristicCohomologyClass`.
+
+    EXAMPLES::
+
+        sage: M = Manifold(12, 'M')
+        sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+        sage: CR = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring()
+        sage: p1, p2, p3 = CR.gens()
+        sage: p1*p2+p3
+        Characteristic cohomology class (p_1⌣p_2 + p_3)(TM) of the Tangent
+         bundle TM over the 12-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        sage: A = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('AHat'); A
+        Characteristic cohomology class A^(TM) of the Tangent bundle TM over
+         the 12-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        sage: A == 1 - p1/24 + (7*p1^2-4*p2)/5760 + (44*p1*p2-31*p1^3-16*p3)/967680
+        True
+    """
+    def __init__(self, parent, x, name=None, latex_name=None):
+        r"""
+        Construct a characteristic cohomology class.
+
+        TESTS::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: p = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('Pontryagin')
+            sage: TestSuite(p).run()
+        """
+        self._name = name
+        if latex_name is None:
+            self._latex_name = self._name
+        else:
+            self._latex_name = latex_name
+        self._mixed_forms = {}  # dict. of characteristic forms of self
+                                # (key: bundle connection)
+        super().__init__(parent, x)
+
+    def _repr_(self):
+        r"""
+        String representation of the object.
+
+        TESTS::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: p = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('Pontryagin')
+            sage: p._repr_()
+            'Characteristic cohomology class p(TM) of the Tangent bundle TM
+             over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M'
+            sage: p  # indirect doctest
+            Characteristic cohomology class p(TM) of the Tangent bundle TM over
+             the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+
+        ::
+
+            sage: x = var('x')
+            sage: k = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class(1+x^2, class_type='multiplicative')
+            sage: k._repr_()
+            'Characteristic cohomology class (1 + p_1^2 - 2*p_2)(TM) of the
+             Tangent bundle TM over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M'
+            sage: k  # indirect doctest
+            Characteristic cohomology class (1 + p_1^2 - 2*p_2)(TM) of the
+             Tangent bundle TM over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        """
+        if self._name is None:
+            name = f'({super()._repr_()})'
+        else:
+            name = self._name
+        vbundle = self.parent()._vbundle
+        name = f'{name}({vbundle._name})'
+        return f'Characteristic cohomology class {name} of the {vbundle}'
+
+    def _latex_(self):
+        r"""
+        LaTeX representation of the object.
+
+        TESTS::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: p = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('Pontryagin')
+            sage: p._latex_()
+            'p\\left(TM\\right)'
+            sage: latex(p)  # indirect doctest
+            p\left(TM\right)
+
+        ::
+
+            sage: x = var('x')
+            sage: k = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class(1+x^2, class_type='multiplicative')
+            sage: k._latex_()
+            '\\left(1 + p_1^{2} - 2 p_2\\right)\\left(TM\\right)'
+            sage: latex(k)
+            \left(1 + p_1^{2} - 2 p_2\right)\left(TM\right)
+        """
+        if self._latex_name is None:
+            latex = r'\left(' + super()._latex_() + r'\right)'
+        else:
+            latex = self._latex_name
+        vbundle = self.parent()._vbundle
+        latex += r'\left(' + vbundle._latex_name + r'\right)'
+        return latex
+
+    def get_form(self, nab):
+        r"""
+        Return the characteristic form of ``self``.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``nab`` -- get the characteristic form w.r.t. to the
+          connection ``nab``
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - an instance of
+          :class:`sage.manifolds.differentiable.mixed_form.MixedForm`
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Trivial characteristic form on Euclidean space::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(4)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: one = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring().one()
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: nab.set_immutable()
+            sage: one.get_form(nab)
+            Mixed differential form one on the 4-dimensional Euclidean space E^4
+
+        Pontryagin form on the 4-sphere::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.Sphere(4)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: p = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('Pontryagin'); p
+            Characteristic cohomology class p(TS^4) of the Tangent bundle TS^4
+             over the 4-sphere S^4 of radius 1 smoothly embedded in the
+             5-dimensional Euclidean space E^5
+            sage: g = M.metric() # long time
+            sage: nab = g.connection() # long time
+            sage: nab.set_immutable() # long time
+            sage: p_form = p.get_form(nab); p_form # long time
+            Mixed differential form p(TS^4, nabla_g) on the 4-sphere S^4 of
+             radius 1 smoothly embedded in the 5-dimensional Euclidean space E^5
+            sage: p_form.display_expansion() # long time
+            p(TS^4, nabla_g) = 1
+        """
+        if nab not in self._mixed_forms:
+            dom = nab._domain
+            A = dom.mixed_form_algebra()
+
+            # trivial cases
+            if self == 1:
+                self._mixed_forms[nab] = A(dom._one_scalar_field)
+            elif self == 0:
+                self._mixed_forms[nab] = A(dom._zero_scalar_field)
+            else:  # non-trivial case
+                from functools import reduce
+
+                parent = self.parent()
+                algorithm = parent._algorithm
+
+                grading = parent.print_options()['sorting_key']
+                res = [dom.diff_form_module(i).zero()
+                       for i in range(dom._dim + 1)]
+                for ind, c in self:
+                    deg = grading(ind)
+                    gen_pow = [algorithm.get_gen_pow(nab, i, ind[i])
+                               for i in range(len(ind))]
+                    res[deg] += c * reduce(lambda x, y: x.wedge(y), gen_pow)
+
+                res = A(res)  # convert result into mixed form
+
+                # preparse names
+                vbundle = parent._vbundle
+                if self._name is None:
+                    name = f'({super()._repr_()})'
+                else:
+                    name = self._name
+                if self._latex_name is None:
+                    latex_name = r'\left(' + super()._latex_() + r'\right)'
+                else:
+                    latex_name = self._latex_name
+                # appendix
+                append_name = f'({vbundle._name}, {nab._name})'
+                append_latex_name = r'\left(' + vbundle._latex_name
+                append_latex_name += ', ' + nab._latex_name + r'\right)'
+
+                # set names of components
+                from sage.arith.misc import gcd
+
+                step = gcd(parent._degrees)  # step size of (possibly) nonzero
+                for i in range(dom._dim // step + 1):
+                    # enumerate (possibly) nonzero components
+                    comp_name = name + f'_{i}' + append_name
+                    comp_latex_name = latex_name + r'_{' + str(i) + '}'
+                    comp_latex_name += append_latex_name
+                    res[step * i].set_name(name=comp_name,
+                                           latex_name=comp_latex_name)
+
+                # set global names
+                res._name = name + append_name
+                res._latex_name = latex_name + append_latex_name
+
+                res.set_immutable()
+
+                self._mixed_forms[nab] = res  # cache result in dict
+
+        return self._mixed_forms[nab]
+
+    def representative(self, nab=None):
+        r"""
+        Return any representative of ``self``.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``nab`` -- (default: ``None``) if stated, return the representative
+          w.r.t. to the connection ``nab``; otherwise an arbitrary already
+          computed representative will be chosen.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - an instance of
+          :class:`sage.manifolds.differentiable.mixed_form.MixedForm`
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Define the 4-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(4)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: one = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring().one()
+
+        No characteristic form has been computed so far, thus we get an error::
+
+            sage: one.representative()
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            AttributeError: cannot pick a representative
+
+        Get a characteristic form::
+
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: nab.set_immutable()
+            sage: one.get_form(nab)
+            Mixed differential form one on the 4-dimensional Euclidean space E^4
+
+        Now, the result is cached and `representative` returns a form::
+
+            sage: one.representative()
+            Mixed differential form one on the 4-dimensional Euclidean space E^4
+
+        Alternatively, the option ``nab`` can be used to return the
+        characteristic form w.r.t. a fixed connection::
+
+            sage: one.representative(nab)
+            Mixed differential form one on the 4-dimensional Euclidean space E^4
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            :meth:`CharacteristicCohomologyClassRingElement.get_form`
+        """
+        if nab is None:
+            if not self._mixed_forms:
+                raise AttributeError('cannot pick a representative')
+            return next(iter(self._mixed_forms.values()))
+        return self.get_form(nab)
+
+    def set_name(self, name=None, latex_name=None):
+        r"""
+        Set (or change) the text name and LaTeX name of the characteristic
+        class.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``name`` -- (string; default: ``None``) name given to the
+          characteristic cohomology class
+        - ``latex_name`` -- (string; default: ``None``) LaTeX symbol to denote
+          the characteristic cohomology class; if ``None`` while ``name`` is
+          provided, the LaTeX symbol is set to ``name``
+
+        EXAMPLES::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: x = var('x')
+            sage: k = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class(1+x^2,
+            ....:                               class_type='multiplicative'); k
+            Characteristic cohomology class (1 + p_1^2 - 2*p_2)(TM) of the
+             Tangent bundle TM over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+            sage: k.set_name(name='k', latex_name=r'\kappa')
+            sage: k
+            Characteristic cohomology class k(TM) of the Tangent bundle TM over
+             the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+            sage: latex(k)
+            \kappa\left(TM\right)
+        """
+        if name is not None:
+            self._name = name
+            if latex_name is None:
+                self._latex_name = self._name
+        if latex_name is not None:
+            self._latex_name = latex_name
+
+
+class CharacteristicCohomologyClassRing(FiniteGCAlgebra):
+    r"""
+    Characteristic cohomology class ring.
+
+    Let `E \to M` be a real or complex vector bundle of rank `k` and `R` be a
+    torsion-free subring of `\CC`.
+
+    Let `BG` be the classifying space of the group `G`. As for vector bundles,
+    we consider
+
+    - `G = O(k)` if `E` is real,
+    - `G = SO(k)` if `E` is real and oriented,
+    - `G = U(k)` if `E` is complex.
+
+    The cohomology ring `H^*(BG; R)` can be explicitly expressed for the
+    aforementioned cases:
+
+    .. MATH::
+
+        H^*(BG; R) \cong \begin{cases}
+            R[c_1, \ldots c_k] & \text{if } G = U(k), \\
+            R[p_1, \ldots p_{\lfloor \frac{k}{2}\rfloor}] & \text{if } G = O(k), \\
+            R[p_1, \ldots p_k, e] \big/ (p_k-e^2) & \text{if } G = SO(2k), \\
+            R[p_1, \ldots p_k, e] & \text{if } G = SO(2k+1). \\
+        \end{cases}
+
+    The Chern-Weil homomorphism relates the generators in the de Rham
+    cohomology as follows. If `\Omega` is a curvature form matrix on `E`, for
+    the Chern classes we get
+
+    .. MATH::
+
+        \left[ \det\left( 1 + \frac{t \Omega}{2 \pi i} \right) \right] = 1 +
+        \sum^k_{n=1} c_n(E) t^n,
+
+    for the Pontryagin classes we have
+
+    .. MATH::
+
+        \left[ \det\left( 1 - \frac{t \Omega}{2 \pi} \right) \right] = 1 +
+        \sum^{\lfloor\frac{k}{2} \rfloor}_{n=1} p_n(E) t^n,
+
+    and for the Euler class we obtain
+
+    .. MATH::
+
+        \left[ \mathrm{Pf}\left(\frac{\Omega}{2 \pi} \right) \right] = e(E).
+
+    Consequently, the cohomology ring `H^*(BG; R)` is mapped (not
+    necessarily injectively) to a subring of `H^*_\mathrm{dR}(M, \CC)` via
+    the Chern-Weil homomorphism. This implementation attempts to represent this
+    subring.
+
+    .. NOTE::
+
+        Some generators might have torsion in `H^*(BG; R)` giving a zero
+        element in the de Rham cohomology. Those generators are still
+        considered in the implementation. Generators whose degree exceed the
+        dimension of the base space, however, are ignored.
+
+    INPUT:
+
+    - ``base`` -- base ring
+    - ``vbundle`` -- vector bundle
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+
+    Characteristic cohomology class ring over the tangent bundle of an
+    8-dimensional manifold::
+
+        sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+        sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+        sage: CR = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring(); CR
+        Algebra of characteristic cohomology classes of the Tangent bundle TM
+         over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        sage: CR.gens()
+        (Characteristic cohomology class (p_1)(TM) of the Tangent bundle TM over
+         the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M,
+         Characteristic cohomology class (p_2)(TM) of the Tangent bundle TM
+         over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M)
+
+    The default base ring is `\QQ`::
+
+        sage: CR.base_ring()
+        Rational Field
+
+    Characteristic cohomology class ring over a complex vector bundle::
+
+        sage: M = Manifold(4, 'M')
+        sage: E = M.vector_bundle(2, 'E', field='complex')
+        sage: CR_E = E.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring(); CR_E
+        Algebra of characteristic cohomology classes of the Differentiable
+         complex vector bundle E -> M of rank 2 over the base space
+         4-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        sage: CR_E.gens()
+        (Characteristic cohomology class (c_1)(E) of the Differentiable complex
+         vector bundle E -> M of rank 2 over the base space 4-dimensional
+         differentiable manifold M,
+         Characteristic cohomology class (c_2)(E) of the Differentiable
+         complex vector bundle E -> M of rank 2 over the base space
+         4-dimensional differentiable manifold M)
+
+    Characteristic cohomology class ring over an oriented manifold::
+
+        sage: S2 = manifolds.Sphere(2, coordinates='stereographic')
+        sage: TS2 = S2.tangent_bundle()
+        sage: S2.has_orientation()
+        True
+        sage: CR = TS2.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring()
+        sage: CR.gens()
+        (Characteristic cohomology class (e)(TS^2) of the Tangent bundle TS^2
+         over the 2-sphere S^2 of radius 1 smoothly embedded in the Euclidean
+         space E^3,)
+    """
+    Element = CharacteristicCohomologyClassRingElement
+
+    def __init__(self, base, vbundle):
+        r"""
+        Construct a characteristic cohomology ring.
+
+        TESTS::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: CR = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring()
+            sage: TestSuite(CR).run()
+        """
+        self._vbundle = vbundle
+        self._domain = vbundle._base_space
+        dim = self._domain._dim
+        rk = vbundle._rank
+        if vbundle._field_type == 'complex':
+            ran = min(rk, dim // 2)
+            names = [f'c_{i}' for i in range(1, ran + 1)]
+            degrees = [2 * i for i in range(1, ran + 1)]
+            self._algorithm = ChernAlgorithm()
+        elif vbundle._field_type == 'real':
+            ran = min(rk // 2, dim // 4)
+            names = [f'p_{i}' for i in range(1, ran + 1)]
+            degrees = [4 * i for i in range(1, ran + 1)]
+            self._algorithm = PontryaginAlgorithm()
+            if vbundle.has_orientation():
+                # add Euler class generator
+                # Euler should be first entry; see `PontryaginEulerAlgorithm`
+                names = ['e'] + names
+                degrees = [rk] + degrees
+                self._algorithm = PontryaginEulerAlgorithm()
+                # TODO: add relation e^2=p_k for dim=2*k
+        else:
+            raise TypeError(f'Characteristic cohomology classes not supported '
+                            f'for vector bundles with '
+                            f'field type {vbundle._field_type}')
+
+        if not names or not degrees:
+            raise ValueError('cannot find any generators')
+
+        names = tuple(names)  # hashable
+        degrees = tuple(degrees)  # hashable
+        super().__init__(base=base, names=names, degrees=degrees,
+                         max_degree=dim, mul_symbol='⌣',
+                         mul_latex_symbol=r'\smile')
+
+    def _element_constructor_(self, x, **kwargs):
+        r"""
+        Convert ``x`` into ``self``.
+
+        TESTS::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: CR = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring()
+            sage: p = CR('Pontryagin'); p
+            Characteristic cohomology class p(TM) of the Tangent bundle TM over
+             the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+            sage: CR(p, name='pontr')
+            Characteristic cohomology class pontr(TM) of the Tangent bundle
+             TM over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        """
+        if isinstance(x, (str, Expression, Polynomial)):
+            return self._build_element(x, **kwargs)
+
+        R = self.base_ring()
+
+        if x in R:
+            one_basis = self.one_basis()
+            d = {one_basis: R(x)}
+        elif isinstance(x, CharacteristicCohomologyClassRingElement):
+            d = x._monomial_coefficients
+        # x is an element of the basis enumerated set;
+        # This is a very ugly way of testing this
+        elif ((hasattr(self._indices, 'element_class') and
+               isinstance(self._indices.element_class, type) and
+               isinstance(x, self._indices.element_class)) or
+              self.parent()(x) == self._indices):
+            d = {x: R.one()}
+        elif x in self._indices:
+            d = {self._indices(x): R.one()}
+        else:
+            raise TypeError(f"do not know how to make x (= {x}) "
+                            f"an element of self (={self})")
+        name, latex_name = kwargs.get('name'), kwargs.get('latex_name')
+        return self.element_class(self, d, name=name, latex_name=latex_name)
+
+    @cached_method
+    def _build_element(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        r"""
+        Construct a characteristic cohomology class.
+
+        The result is cached.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``val`` -- the input data corresponding to the characteristic class
+          using the Chern-Weil homomorphism; this argument can be either a
+          symbolic expression, a polynomial or one of the following predefined
+          classes:
+
+          - ``'Chern'`` -- total Chern class,
+          - ``'ChernChar'`` -- Chern character,
+          - ``'Todd'`` -- Todd class,
+          - ``'Pontryagin'`` -- total Pontryagin class,
+          - ``'Hirzebruch'`` -- Hirzebruch class,
+          - ``'AHat'`` -- `\hat{A}` class,
+          - ``'Euler'`` -- Euler class.
+
+        - ``name`` -- (default: ``None``) string representation given to the
+          characteristic class; if ``None`` the default algebra representation or
+          predefined name is used
+        - ``latex_name`` -- (default: ``None``) LaTeX name given to the
+          characteristic class; if ``None`` the value of ``name`` is used
+        - ``class_type`` -- (default: ``None``) class type of the characteristic
+          cohomology class; the following options are possible:
+
+          - ``'multiplicative'`` -- returns a class of multiplicative type
+          - ``'additive'`` -- returns a class of additive type
+          - ``'Pfaffian'`` -- returns a class of Pfaffian type
+
+          This argument must be stated if ``val`` is a polynomial or symbolic
+          expression.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Total Pontryagin class of an 8-dimensional manifold::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: p = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('Pontryagin'); p
+            Characteristic cohomology class p(TM) of the Tangent bundle TM over the
+             8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+
+        Define a multiplicative class (see :func:`multiplicative_sequence`)::
+
+            sage: P.<x> = PolynomialRing(QQ)
+            sage: f = 1 + x - x^2
+            sage: f_class = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class(f, class_type='multiplicative'); f_class
+            Characteristic cohomology class (1 + p_1 - p_1^2 + 3*p_2)(TM) of the
+             Tangent bundle TM over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+
+        Pass a symbolic expression, whose Taylor expansion at zero will be used::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: x = var('x')
+            sage: f = cos(x)
+            sage: f_class = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class(f, class_type='multiplicative'); f_class
+            Characteristic cohomology class (1 - 1/2*p_1^2 + p_2)(TM) of the Tangent
+             bundle TM over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        """
+        name, latex_name = kwargs.get('name'), kwargs.get('latex_name')
+        base_ring = self.base_ring()
+        class_type = kwargs.get('class_type')
+        vbundle = self._vbundle
+        val = args[0]
+        dim = vbundle._base_space._dim
+
+        # predefined classes accessible via class names
+        if isinstance(val, str):
+            from sage.arith.misc import bernoulli, factorial
+
+            P = PolynomialRing(base_ring, 'x')
+            x = P.gen()
+            if val == 'Chern':
+                if vbundle._field_type != 'complex':
+                    raise ValueError(f'total Chern class not defined on {vbundle}')
+                if name is None:
+                    name = 'c'
+                class_type = 'multiplicative'
+                val = 1 + x
+            elif val == 'Pontryagin':
+                if vbundle._field_type != 'real':
+                    raise ValueError(f'total Pontryagin class not defined on {vbundle}')
+                if name is None:
+                    name = 'p'
+                class_type = 'multiplicative'
+                val = 1 + x
+            elif val == 'ChernChar':
+                if vbundle._field_type != 'complex':
+                    raise ValueError(f'Chern character not defined on {vbundle}')
+                if name is None:
+                    name = 'ch'
+                if latex_name is None:
+                    latex_name = r'\mathrm{ch}'
+                class_type = 'additive'
+                coeff = [1 / factorial(k) for k in
+                         range(dim // 2 + 1)]  # exp(x)
+                val = P(coeff)
+            elif val == 'Todd':
+                if vbundle._field_type != 'complex':
+                    raise ValueError(f'Todd class not defined on {vbundle}')
+                if name is None:
+                    name = 'Td'
+                if latex_name is None:
+                    latex_name = r'\mathrm{Td}'
+                class_type = 'multiplicative'
+                val = 1 + x / 2
+                for k in range(1, dim // 2 + 1):
+                    val += (-1) ** (k + 1) / factorial(2 * k) * bernoulli(
+                        2 * k) * x ** (2 * k)
+            elif val == 'Hirzebruch':
+                if vbundle._field_type != 'real':
+                    raise ValueError(f'Hirzebruch class not defined on {vbundle}')
+                if name is None:
+                    name = 'L'
+                if latex_name is None:
+                    latex_name = 'L'
+                class_type = 'multiplicative'
+                coeff = [2 ** (2 * k) * bernoulli(2 * k) / factorial(2 * k)
+                         for k in range(dim // 4 + 1)]
+                val = P(coeff)
+            elif val == 'AHat':
+                if vbundle._field_type != 'real':
+                    raise ValueError(f'AHat class not defined on {vbundle}')
+                if name is None:
+                    name = 'A^'
+                if latex_name is None:
+                    latex_name = r'\hat{A}'
+                class_type = 'multiplicative'
+                coeff = [- (2 ** (2 * k) - 2) / 2 ** (2 * k) * bernoulli(
+                    2 * k) / factorial(2 * k)
+                         for k in range(dim // 4 + 1)]
+                val = P(coeff)
+            elif val == 'Euler':
+                if vbundle._field_type != 'real' or not vbundle.has_orientation():
+                    raise ValueError(f'Euler class not defined on {vbundle}')
+                if name is None:
+                    name = 'e'
+                class_type = 'Pfaffian'
+                val = x
+            else:
+                raise ValueError(f'predefined class "{val}" unknown')
+
+        # turn symbolic expression into a polynomial via Taylor expansion
+        if isinstance(val, Expression):
+            x = val.default_variable()
+            P = PolynomialRing(base_ring, x)
+
+            if vbundle._field_type == 'real':
+                pow_range = dim // 4
+            elif vbundle._field_type == 'complex':
+                pow_range = dim // 2
+            else:
+                raise ValueError(f'field type of {vbundle} must be real or complex')
+
+            val = P(val.taylor(x, 0, pow_range))
+
+        # turn polynomial into a characteristic cohomology class via sequences
+        if isinstance(val, Polynomial):
+            if class_type is None:
+                raise TypeError(f'class_type must be stated if {val} '
+                                f'is a polynomial')
+            n = self.ngens()
+            s = 0  # shift; important in case of Euler class generator
+            if self._algorithm is PontryaginEulerAlgorithm():
+                s = 1  # skip Euler class
+                n -= 1  # ignore Euler class
+
+            if class_type == 'additive':
+                sym = additive_sequence(val, vbundle._rank, n)
+            elif class_type == 'multiplicative':
+                sym = multiplicative_sequence(val, n)
+            elif class_type == 'Pfaffian':
+                P = val.parent()
+                x = P.gen()
+                val = (val(x) - val(-x)) / 2  # project to odd functions
+                val = P([(-1) ** k * val[2 * k + 1] for k in range(n + 1)])
+                sym = multiplicative_sequence(val, n)
+            else:
+                raise AttributeError('unknown class type')
+
+            d = {}
+            w_vec = self._weighted_vectors
+            for p, c in sym:
+                vec = [0] * self.ngens()
+                if class_type == 'Pfaffian':
+                    vec[0] = 1  # always multiply with e
+                for i in p:
+                    vec[i - 1 + s] += 1
+                key = w_vec(vec)
+                d[key] = c
+            res = self._from_dict(d)
+            res.set_name(name=name, latex_name=latex_name)
+            return res
+
+        # Nothing worked? Then something went wrong!
+        raise ValueError(f'cannot convert {val} into an element of {self}')
+
+    def _repr_(self):
+        r"""
+        String representation of the object.
+
+        TESTS::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(8, 'M')
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: CR = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class_ring()
+            sage: CR._repr_()
+            'Algebra of characteristic cohomology classes of the Tangent bundle
+             TM over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M'
+            sage: CR  # indirect doctest
+            Algebra of characteristic cohomology classes of the Tangent bundle
+             TM over the 8-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        """
+        vbundle = self._vbundle
+        repr = f'Algebra of characteristic cohomology classes of the {vbundle}'
+        return repr
+
+
+# *****************************************************************************
+# ALGORITHMS
+# *****************************************************************************
+
+def multiplicative_sequence(q, n=None):
+    r"""
+    Turn the polynomial ``q`` into its multiplicative sequence.
+
+    Let `q` be a polynomial and `x_1, \ldots x_n` indeterminates. The
+    *multiplicative sequence of* `q` is then given by the polynomials `K_j`
+
+    .. MATH::
+
+        \sum_{j=0}^n K_j(\sigma_1, \ldots, \sigma_j) z^j =
+        \prod_{i=1}^{n} q(z \,x_i),
+
+    where `\sigma_i` is the `i`-th elementary symmetric polynomial in the
+    indeterminates `x_i`.
+
+    INPUT:
+
+    - ``q`` -- polynomial to turn into its multiplicative sequence
+    - ``n`` -- (default: ``None``) the highest order `n` of the sequence;
+      if ``None``, the order of ``q`` is assumed
+
+    OUTPUT: a symmetric polynomial representing the multiplicative sequence
+
+    EXAMPLES::
+
+        sage: P.<x> = PolynomialRing(QQ)
+        sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import multiplicative_sequence
+        sage: f = 1 + x - x^2
+        sage: sym = multiplicative_sequence(f); sym
+        e[] + e[1] - e[1, 1] + 3*e[2]
+
+    The maximal order of the result can be stated with ``n``::
+
+        sage: sym_5 = multiplicative_sequence(f, n=5); sym_5
+        e[] + e[1] - e[1, 1] + 3*e[2] - e[2, 1] + e[2, 2] + 4*e[3] - 3*e[3, 1]
+         + e[3, 2] + 7*e[4] - 4*e[4, 1] + 11*e[5]
+    """
+    from sage.combinat.partition import Partitions
+    from sage.combinat.sf.sf import SymmetricFunctions
+    from sage.misc.misc_c import prod
+
+    if n is None:
+        n = q.degree()
+
+    R = q.parent().base_ring()
+    Sym = SymmetricFunctions(R)
+    m = Sym.m()
+
+    # Get the multiplicative sequence in the monomial basis:
+    mon_pol = m._from_dict({p: prod(q[i] for i in p)
+                            for k in range(n + 1)
+                            for p in Partitions(k)})
+    return Sym.e()(mon_pol)
+
+
+def additive_sequence(q, k, n=None):
+    r"""
+    Turn the polynomial ``q`` into its additive sequence.
+
+    Let `q` be a polynomial and `x_1, \ldots x_n` indeterminates. The
+    *additive sequence of* `q` is then given by the polynomials `Q_j`
+
+    .. MATH::
+
+        \sum_{j=0}^n Q_j(\sigma_1, \ldots, \sigma_j) z^j =
+        \sum_{i=1}^{k} q(z \,x_i),
+
+    where `\sigma_i` is the `i`-th elementary symmetric polynomial in the
+    indeterminates `x_i`.
+
+    INPUT:
+
+    - ``q`` -- polynomial to turn into its additive sequence
+    - ``k`` -- maximal index `k` of the sum
+    - ``n`` -- (default: ``None``) the highest order of the sequence `n`;
+      if ``None``, the order of ``q`` is assumed
+
+    OUTPUT: a symmetric polynomial representing the additive sequence
+
+    EXAMPLES::
+
+        sage: P.<x> = PolynomialRing(QQ)
+        sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import additive_sequence
+        sage: f = 1 + x - x^2
+        sage: sym = additive_sequence(f, 2); sym
+        2*e[] + e[1] - e[1, 1] + 2*e[2]
+
+    The maximal order of the result can be stated with ``n``::
+
+        sage: sym_1 = additive_sequence(f, 2, 1); sym_1
+        2*e[] + e[1]
+    """
+    from sage.combinat.partition import Partitions
+    from sage.combinat.sf.sf import SymmetricFunctions
+
+    if n is None:
+        n = q.degree()
+
+    R = q.parent().base_ring()
+    Sym = SymmetricFunctions(R)
+    m = Sym.m()
+
+    # Express the additive sequence in the monomial basis, the 0-th
+    # order term must be treated separately; here comes ``rk`` into play:
+    m_dict = {Partitions(0)([]): k * q[0]}
+    m_dict.update({Partitions(k)([k]): q[k] for k in range(1, n + 1)})
+    mon_pol = m._from_dict(m_dict)
+    return Sym.e()(mon_pol)
+
+
+def fast_wedge_power(form, n):
+    r"""
+    Return the wedge product power of `form` using a square-and-wedge
+    algorithm.
+
+    INPUT:
+
+    - ``form`` -- a differential form
+    - ``n`` -- nonnegative integer
+
+    EXAMPLES::
+
+        sage: M = Manifold(4, 'M')
+        sage: X.<x,y,z,t> = M.chart()
+        sage: omega = M.diff_form(2, name='omega')
+        sage: omega[0,1] = t*y^2 + 2*x
+        sage: omega[0,3] = z - 2*y
+        sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import fast_wedge_power
+        sage: fast_wedge_power(omega, 0)
+        Scalar field 1 on the 4-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        sage: fast_wedge_power(omega, 1)
+        2-form omega on the 4-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+        sage: fast_wedge_power(omega, 2)
+        4-form omega∧omega on the 4-dimensional differentiable manifold M
+    """
+    if n == 0:
+        return form._domain._one_scalar_field
+    elif n < 0:
+        raise ValueError("'n' must be nonnegative")
+    val = form
+    while not (n & 1):
+        val = val.wedge(val)
+        n >>= 1
+
+    # Now multiply together the correct factors form^(2^i)
+    res = val
+    n >>= 1
+    while n:
+        val = val.wedge(val)
+        if n & 1:
+            res = val.wedge(res)
+        n >>= 1
+
+    return res
+
+
+class Algorithm_generic(SageObject):
+    r"""
+    Abstract algorithm class to compute the characteristic forms of the
+    generators.
+
+    EXAMPLES::
+
+        sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import Algorithm_generic
+        sage: algorithm = Algorithm_generic()
+        sage: algorithm.get
+        Cached version of <function Algorithm_generic.get at 0x...>
+        sage: algorithm.get_local
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        NotImplementedError: <abstract method get_local at 0x...>
+        sage: algorithm.get_gen_pow
+        Cached version of <function Algorithm_generic.get_gen_pow at 0x...>
+    """
+    @cached_method
+    def get(self, nab):
+        r"""
+        Return the global characteristic forms of the generators w.r.t. a given
+        connection.
+
+        The result is cached.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - a list containing the generator's global characteristic forms as
+          instances of
+          :class:`sage.manifolds.differentiable.diff_form.DiffForm`
+
+        EXAMPLES::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(4)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+        ::
+
+            sage: p = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('Pontryagin')
+            sage: p_form = p.get_form(nab); p_form # long time
+            Mixed differential form p(TE^4, nabla_g) on the 4-dimensional
+             Euclidean space E^4
+            sage: p_form.display_expansion() # long time
+            p(TE^4, nabla_g) = 1
+        """
+        if isinstance(nab, AffineConnection):
+            vbundle = nab._domain.tangent_bundle()
+        elif isinstance(nab, BundleConnection):
+            vbundle = nab._vbundle
+        else:
+            raise TypeError(f'{nab} must be a connection')
+        dom = nab._domain
+        res = []  # will be specified within first iteration
+        for frame in dom._get_min_covering(nab._coefficients):
+            cmat = [[nab.curvature_form(i, j, frame) for j in vbundle.irange()]
+                    for i in vbundle.irange()]
+            res_loc = self.get_local(cmat)
+            if not res:
+                # until now, degrees of generators were unknown
+                res = [dom.diff_form(loc_form.degree())
+                       for loc_form in res_loc]
+            for form, loc_form in zip(res, res_loc):
+                form.set_restriction(loc_form)
+            # TODO: make `res` immutable?
+        return res
+
+    @abstract_method
+    def get_local(self, cmat):
+        r"""
+        Abstract method to get the local forms of the generators w.r.t. a given
+        curvature form matrix ``cmat``.
+
+        OUTPUT: list containing the generator's local characteristic forms
+
+        ALGORITHM:
+
+        The inherited class determines the algorithm.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        4-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(4)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: e = M.frames()[0]  # select standard frame
+            sage: cmat = [ [nab.curvature_form(i, j, e)  # long time
+            ....:           for j in TM.irange()]
+            ....:         for i in TM.irange()]
+
+        Import the algorithm::
+
+            sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import PontryaginAlgorithm
+            sage: algorithm = PontryaginAlgorithm()
+            sage: [p1] = algorithm.get_local(cmat) # long time
+            sage: p1.display() # long time
+            0
+
+        A concrete implementation is given by a
+        :class:`sage.misc.fast_methods.Singleton`::
+
+            sage: algorithm is PontryaginAlgorithm()
+            True
+        """
+        pass
+
+    @cached_method
+    def get_gen_pow(self, nab, i, n):
+        r"""
+        Return the `n`-th power of the `i`-th generator's characteristic form
+        w.r.t ``nab``.
+
+        The result is cached.
+
+        EXAMPLES::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(8)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+        ::
+
+            sage: A = TM.characteristic_cohomology_class('AHat')
+            sage: A_form = A.get_form(nab); A_form  # long time
+            Mixed differential form A^(TE^8, nabla_g) on the 8-dimensional
+             Euclidean space E^8
+            sage: A_form.display_expansion()  # long time
+            A^(TE^8, nabla_g) = 1
+        """
+        if n == 0:
+            return nab._domain._one_scalar_field  # no computation necessary
+        return fast_wedge_power(self.get(nab)[i], n)
+
+
+class ChernAlgorithm(Singleton, Algorithm_generic):
+    r"""
+    Algorithm class to generate Chern forms.
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+
+    Define a complex line bundle over a 2-dimensional manifold::
+
+        sage: M = Manifold(2, 'M', structure='Lorentzian')
+        sage: X.<t,x> = M.chart()
+        sage: E = M.vector_bundle(1, 'E', field='complex'); E
+        Differentiable complex vector bundle E -> M of rank 1 over the base space
+         2-dimensional Lorentzian manifold M
+        sage: e = E.local_frame('e')
+        sage: nab = E.bundle_connection('nabla^E', latex_name=r'\nabla^E')
+        sage: omega = M.one_form(name='omega')
+        sage: A = function('A')
+        sage: nab.set_connection_form(0, 0)[1] = I*A(t)
+        sage: nab[0, 0].display()
+        connection (0,0) of bundle connection nabla^E w.r.t. Local frame
+         (E|_M, (e_0)) = I*A(t) dx
+        sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+    Import the algorithm and apply ``nab`` to it::
+
+        sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import ChernAlgorithm
+        sage: algorithm = ChernAlgorithm()
+        sage: algorithm.get(nab)
+        [2-form on the 2-dimensional Lorentzian manifold M]
+        sage: algorithm.get(nab)[0].display()
+        1/2*d(A)/dt/pi dt∧dx
+
+    Check some equalities::
+
+        sage: cmat = [[nab.curvature_form(0, 0, e)]]
+        sage: algorithm.get(nab)[0] == algorithm.get_local(cmat)[0]  # bundle trivial
+        True
+        sage: algorithm.get_gen_pow(nab, 0, 1) == algorithm.get(nab)[0]
+        True
+    """
+    def get_local(self, cmat):
+        r"""
+        Return the local Chern forms w.r.t. a given curvature form matrix.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - a list containing the local characteristic Chern forms as
+          instances of
+          :class:`sage.manifolds.differentiable.diff_form.DiffForm`
+
+        ALGORITHM::
+
+            The algorithm is based on the Faddeev-LeVerrier algorithm for the
+            characteristic polynomial.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Define a complex line bundle over a 2-dimensional manifold::
+
+            sage: M = Manifold(2, 'M', structure='Lorentzian')
+            sage: X.<t,x> = M.chart()
+            sage: E = M.vector_bundle(1, 'E', field='complex'); E
+            Differentiable complex vector bundle E -> M of rank 1 over the base
+             space 2-dimensional Lorentzian manifold M
+            sage: e = E.local_frame('e')
+            sage: nab = E.bundle_connection('nabla^E', latex_name=r'\nabla^E')
+            sage: omega = M.one_form(name='omega')
+            sage: A = function('A')
+            sage: nab.set_connection_form(0, 0)[1] = I*A(t)
+            sage: nab[0, 0].display()
+            connection (0,0) of bundle connection nabla^E w.r.t. Local frame
+             (E|_M, (e_0)) = I*A(t) dx
+            sage: cmat = [[nab.curvature_form(i, j, e) for j in E.irange()]
+            ....:         for i in E.irange()]
+
+        Import the algorithm and apply ``cmat`` to it::
+
+            sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import ChernAlgorithm
+            sage: algorithm = ChernAlgorithm()
+            sage: algorithm.get_local(cmat)
+            [2-form on the 2-dimensional Lorentzian manifold M]
+        """
+        from sage.symbolic.constants import I, pi
+
+        dom = cmat[0][0]._domain
+        rk = len(cmat)
+        dim = dom._dim
+        ran = min(rk, dim // 2)
+        if ran < 1:
+            return []  # nothing to compute
+        fac = I / (2 * pi)
+        res = []
+        m = cmat
+        for k in range(1, ran):
+            c = -sum(m[i][i] for i in range(rk)) / k
+            res.append(fac * c)
+            for i in range(rk):
+                m[i][i] += c
+            fac *= I / (2 * pi)
+            m = [[sum(cmat[i][l].wedge(m[l][j]) for l in range(rk))
+                  for j in range(rk)] for i in range(rk)]
+        res.append(-fac * sum(m[i][i] for i in range(rk)) / ran)
+        return res
+
+
+class PontryaginAlgorithm(Singleton, Algorithm_generic):
+    r"""
+    Algorithm class to generate Pontryagin forms.
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+
+    5-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+        sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(5)
+        sage: g = M.metric()
+        sage: nab = g.connection()
+        sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+    Import the algorithm::
+
+        sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import PontryaginAlgorithm
+        sage: algorithm = PontryaginAlgorithm()
+        sage: [p1] = algorithm.get(nab) # long time
+        sage: p1.display() # long time
+        0
+    """
+    def get_local(self, cmat):
+        r"""
+        Return the local Pontryagin forms w.r.t. a given curvature form matrix.
+
+        OUTPUT: list containing the local characteristic Pontryagin forms
+
+        ALGORITHM::
+
+            The algorithm is based on the Faddeev-LeVerrier algorithm for the
+            characteristic polynomial.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        5-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(5)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: e = M.frames()[0]  # select standard frame
+            sage: cmat = [ [nab.curvature_form(i, j, e) # long time
+            ....:           for j in TM.irange()]
+            ....:         for i in TM.irange()]
+
+        Import the algorithm::
+
+            sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import PontryaginAlgorithm
+            sage: algorithm = PontryaginAlgorithm()
+            sage: [p1] = algorithm.get_local(cmat) # long time
+            sage: p1.display() # long time
+            0
+        """
+        from sage.symbolic.constants import pi
+
+        dom = cmat[0][0]._domain
+        rk = len(cmat)
+        dim = dom._dim
+        ran = min(rk // 2, dim // 4)
+        if ran < 1:
+            return []  # nothing to compute
+        fac = 1 / (2 * pi) ** 2
+        res = []
+        m = cmat2 = [[sum(cmat[i][l].wedge(cmat[l][j])
+                          for l in range(rk))
+                      for j in range(rk)] for i in range(rk)]
+        for k in range(1, ran):
+            c = -sum(m[i][i] for i in range(rk)) / (2 * k)
+            res.append(fac * c)
+            for i in range(rk):
+                m[i][i] += c
+            fac *= 1 / (2 * pi) ** 2
+            m = [[sum(cmat2[i][l].wedge(m[l][j]) for l in range(rk))
+                  for j in range(rk)] for i in range(rk)]
+        res.append(-fac * sum(m[i][i] for i in range(rk)) / (2 * ran))
+        return res
+
+
+class EulerAlgorithm(Singleton, Algorithm_generic):
+    r"""
+    Algorithm class to generate Euler forms.
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+
+    Consider the 2-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+        sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(2)
+        sage: g = M.metric()
+        sage: nab = g.connection()
+        sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+    Import the algorithm and apply ``nab`` to it::
+
+        sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import EulerAlgorithm
+        sage: algorithm = EulerAlgorithm()
+        sage: algorithm.get(nab)
+        [2-form on the Euclidean plane E^2]
+        sage: algorithm.get(nab)[0].display()
+        0
+    """
+    @cached_method
+    def get(self, nab):
+        r"""
+        Return the global characteristic forms of the generators w.r.t. a given
+        connection.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``nab`` -- a metric connection `\nabla`
+
+        OUTPUT: list containing the global characteristic Euler form
+
+        ALGORITHM:
+
+        Assume that `\nabla` is compatible with the metric `g`, and let
+        `(s_1, \ldots, s_n)` be any oriented frame. Denote by
+        `G_s = (g(s_i, s_j))_{ij}` the metric tensor and let
+        `\Omega_s` be the curvature form matrix of `\nabla` w.r.t. `s`.
+        Then, we get:
+
+        .. MATH::
+
+            \left(G_s \cdot \Omega_s \right)_{ij} = g\!\left(R(.,.)s_i, s_j\right),
+
+        where `R` is the Riemannian curvature tensor w.r.t. `\nabla`.
+
+        The characteristic Euler form is now obtained by the expression
+
+        .. MATH::
+
+            \frac{1}{\sqrt{\left|\det(G_s)\right|}} \
+                \mathrm{Pf}\!\left(G_s \cdot \frac{\Omega_s}{2 \pi}\right).
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Consider the 2-sphere::
+
+            sage: M.<x,y> = manifolds.Sphere(2, coordinates='stereographic')
+            sage: g = M.metric() # long time
+            sage: nab = g.connection() # long time
+            sage: nab.set_immutable() # long time
+
+        Import the algorithm and apply ``nab`` to it::
+
+            sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import EulerAlgorithm
+            sage: algorithm = EulerAlgorithm()
+            sage: algorithm.get(nab) # long time
+            [2-form on the 2-sphere S^2 of radius 1 smoothly embedded in the
+             Euclidean space E^3]
+            sage: algorithm.get(nab)[0].display() # long time
+            2/(pi + pi*x^4 + pi*y^4 + 2*pi*x^2 + 2*(pi + pi*x^2)*y^2) dx∧dy
+
+        REFERENCES:
+
+        - [Che1944]_
+        - [Baer2020]_
+        """
+        if not isinstance(nab, LeviCivitaConnection):
+            raise TypeError('Euler forms are currently only supported for '
+                            'Levi-Civita connections')
+        dom = nab._domain
+        vbundle = dom.tangent_bundle()
+        rk = vbundle._rank
+        if not vbundle.has_orientation():
+            raise ValueError('Euler forms can only be defined for orientable '
+                             'vector bundles')
+        if rk % 2 != 0:
+            raise ValueError('Euler forms are currently only supported for '
+                             'vector bundles with even rank')
+        res = dom.diff_form(rk)
+        g = nab._metric
+        for frame in dom._get_min_covering(vbundle.orientation()):
+            # (G_s * Ω_s)_ij = g(R(.,.)s_i, s_j)
+            gcmat = [[sum(g[[frame, i, j]] * nab.curvature_form(j, k, frame)
+                          for j in vbundle.irange())
+                      for k in vbundle.irange()] for i in vbundle.irange()]
+            [res_loc] = self.get_local(gcmat)  # Pf(G_s * Ω_s) mod const.
+            # e = 1 / sqrt(|det(G_s)|) * Pf(G_s * Ω_s) mod const.
+            det = g.det(frame)
+            if det.is_trivial_zero():
+                raise ValueError(f'metric {g} must be non-degenerate')
+            sqrt_det = det.abs().sqrt()
+            res.set_restriction(res_loc / sqrt_det)  # local Euler form
+            # TODO: make `res` immutable?
+        return [res]
+
+    def get_local(self, cmat):
+        r"""
+        Return the normalized Pfaffian w.r.t. a given curvature form matrix.
+
+        The normalization is given by the factor
+        `\left(\frac{1}{2 \pi}\right)^{\frac{k}{2}}`, where `k` is the
+        dimension of the curvature matrix.
+
+        OUTPUT: list containing the normalized Pfaffian of a given curvature form
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            In general, the output does *not* represent the local
+            characteristic Euler form. The result is only guaranteed to be the
+            local Euler form if ``cmat`` is given w.r.t. an orthonormal
+            oriented frame. See :meth:`get` for details.
+
+        ALGORITHM::
+
+            The algorithm is based on the Bär-Faddeev-LeVerrier algorithm for
+            the Pfaffian.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Consider the 2-sphere::
+
+            sage: M.<th,phi> = manifolds.Sphere(2)  # use spherical coordinates
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: e = M.frames()[0]  # select frame (opposite orientation!)
+            sage: cmat = [[nab.curvature_form(i, j, e) for j in TM.irange()]
+            ....:         for i in TM.irange()]
+
+        We need some preprocessing because the frame is not orthonormal::
+
+            sage: gcmat = [[sum(g[[e, i, j]] * nab.curvature_form(j, k, e)
+            ....:               for j in TM.irange())
+            ....:           for k in TM.irange()] for i in TM.irange()]
+
+        Now, ``gcmat`` is guaranteed to be skew-symmetric and can be applied
+        to :meth:`get_local`. Then, the result must be normalized::
+
+            sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import EulerAlgorithm
+            sage: algorithm = EulerAlgorithm()
+            sage: euler = -algorithm.get_local(gcmat)[0] / sqrt(g.det(frame=e))
+            sage: euler.display()
+            1/2*sin(th)/pi dth∧dphi
+        """
+        from sage.symbolic.constants import pi
+
+        rk = len(cmat)
+        ran = rk // 2
+        m = a = [cmat[i].copy() for i in range(rk)]
+        for i in range(0, rk, 2):
+            m[i], m[i + 1] = m[i + 1], m[i]  # swap entries
+            for k in range(rk):
+                m[k][i + 1] = -m[k][i + 1]
+        for k in range(1, ran):
+            e = -sum(m[i][i] for i in range(rk)) / (2 * k)
+            for i in range(rk):
+                m[i][i] += e
+            m = [[sum(a[i][l].wedge(m[l][j]) for l in range(rk))
+                  for j in range(rk)] for i in range(rk)]
+        e = -sum(m[i][i] for i in range(rk)) / (2 * ran)  # Pfaffian mod sign
+        e *= (-1 / (2 * pi)) ** ran  # normalize
+        return [e]
+
+
+class PontryaginEulerAlgorithm(Singleton, Algorithm_generic):
+    r"""
+    Algorithm class to generate Euler and Pontryagin forms.
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+
+    6-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+        sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(6)
+        sage: g = M.metric()
+        sage: nab = g.connection()
+        sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+    Import the algorithm::
+
+        sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import PontryaginEulerAlgorithm
+        sage: algorithm = PontryaginEulerAlgorithm()
+        sage: e_form, p1_form = algorithm.get(nab)  # long time
+        sage: e_form.display()  # long time
+        0
+        sage: p1_form.display()  # long time
+        0
+    """
+
+    @cached_method
+    def get(self, nab):
+        r"""
+        Return the global characteristic forms of the generators w.r.t. a given
+        connection.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - a list containing the global Euler form in the first entry, and the
+          global Pontryagin forms in the remaining entries.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        4-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(4)
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+        Import the algorithm::
+
+            sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import PontryaginEulerAlgorithm
+            sage: algorithm = PontryaginEulerAlgorithm()
+            sage: algorithm.get(nab) # long time
+            [4-form on the 4-dimensional Euclidean space E^4,
+             4-form on the 4-dimensional Euclidean space E^4]
+        """
+        return EulerAlgorithm().get(nab) + PontryaginAlgorithm().get(nab)
+
+    def get_local(self, cmat):
+        r"""
+        Return the local Euler and Pontryagin forms w.r.t. a given curvature
+        form matrix.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            Similar as for :class:`EulerAlgorithm`, the first entry only
+            represents the Euler form if the curvature form matrix is chosen
+            w.r.t. an orthonormal oriented frame. See
+            :meth:`EulerAlgorithm.get_local` for details.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - a list containing the local Euler form in the first entry, and the
+          local Pontryagin forms in the remaining entries.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        6-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(6)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: e = M.frames()[0]  # select the standard frame
+            sage: cmat = [ [nab.curvature_form(i, j, e)  # long time
+            ....:           for j in TM.irange()]
+            ....:         for i in TM.irange() ]
+
+        Import the algorithm::
+
+            sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import PontryaginEulerAlgorithm
+            sage: algorithm = PontryaginEulerAlgorithm()
+            sage: e, p1 = algorithm.get_local(cmat)  # long time
+            sage: e.display()  # long time
+            0
+            sage: p1.display()  # long time
+            0
+        """
+        res = EulerAlgorithm().get_local(cmat)  # first entry is Euler class
+        res += PontryaginAlgorithm().get_local(cmat)  # rest Pontryagin
+        return res
+
+    @cached_method
+    def get_gen_pow(self, nab, i, n):
+        r"""
+        Return the `n`-th power of the `i`-th generator w.r.t ``nab``.
+
+        The result is cached.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        4-dimensional Euclidean space::
+
+            sage: M = manifolds.EuclideanSpace(4)
+            sage: TM = M.tangent_bundle()
+            sage: g = M.metric()
+            sage: nab = g.connection()
+            sage: nab.set_immutable()
+
+        Import the algorithm::
+
+            sage: from sage.manifolds.differentiable.characteristic_cohomology_class import PontryaginEulerAlgorithm
+            sage: algorithm = PontryaginEulerAlgorithm()
+            sage: e = algorithm.get_gen_pow(nab, 0, 1)  # Euler, long time
+            sage: e.display() # long time
+            0
+            sage: p1_pow2 = algorithm.get_gen_pow(nab, 1, 2)  # 1st Pontryagin squared, long time
+            sage: p1_pow2 # long time
+            8-form zero on the 4-dimensional Euclidean space E^4
+        """
+        if n == 0:
+            return nab._domain._one_scalar_field  # no computation necessary
+        if i == 0:
+            return fast_wedge_power(EulerAlgorithm().get(nab)[0], n)
+        return fast_wedge_power(PontryaginAlgorithm().get(nab)[i - 1], n)