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Direct Images in Non Abelian Hodge Theory

In this paper we explain how non-abelian Hodge theory allows one to compute the $L^2$ cohomology or middle perversity higher direct images of harmonic bundles and twistor D-modules in a purely algebraic manner. Our main result is a new algebraic description for the fiberwise $L^2$ cohomology of a tame harmonic bundle or the corre- sponding flat bundle or tame polystable parabolic Higgs bundle. Specifically we give a formula for the Dolbeault version of the $L^2$ pushforward in terms of a modification of the Dolbeault complex of a Higgs bundle which takes into account the monodromy weight filtration in the normal directions of the horizontal parabolic divisor. The parabolic structure of the higher direct image is obtained by analyzing the V -filtration at a normal crossings point. We prove this algebraic formula for semistable families of curves.