Eta Invariant

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Pure Mathematics Dictionary
Definition
A spectral invariant of a self-adjoint elliptic operator defined as the value at zero of its eta function η(s) = ∑_{λ≠0} sign(λ) |λ|^{-s} after analytic continuation; it measures spectral asymmetry (imbalance between positive and negative eigenvalues) and contributes boundary correction terms in index formulas.