Invariants of families of flat connections using fiber integration of differential characters (Q1986545)

Let \(E\longrightarrow B\) be a smooth vector bundle of rank \(n\). \textit{J. N. N. Iyer} [Lett. Math. Phys. 106, No. 1, 131--146 (2016; Zbl 1347.57030)] constructed canonical invariants associated to an \(r\)-simplex whose points parametrize flat connections on a smooth manifold, using the theory of Chern-Cheeger-Simons. In this paper, among other results, the author shows that these invariants coincide with those of the \(\operatorname{GL}(n, \mathbb{R})\)-invariant polynomial of a finite degree compatible with a universal integral characteristic class.