Symplectic field theory of subcritical Stein manifolds. [microform]

In this thesis some symplectic field theory invariants for subcritical Stein manifolds are computed. By constructing a compatible S 1-invariant complex structure on a subcritical Stein manifold M and studying the S1-invariant holomorphic curves, the rational contact homology of its boundary V is determined under the assumption c1 = 0. A non-degenerate pairing is found between the cylindrical contact homology of V and [circled plus]infinityi=1 H*(M, [partial differential]M)[ i], resulting in a canonical isomorphism CCH( V) [approximately equal to] [circled plus]infinityi=1 H* (M, [partial differential] M)[i]. Using these computations, a monotone Kahler manifold with a subcritical polarization is shown to be uniruled.