We assign to a finite $CW$-complex and an element in its first cohomology group a twisted version of the $L^2$-Euler characteristic and study its main properties. In the case of an irreducible orientable $3$-manifold with empty or toroidal boundary and infinite fundamental group we identify it with the Thurston norm. We will use the $L^2$-Euler characteristic to address the problem whether the existence of a map inducing an epimorphism on fundamental groups implies an inequality of the Thurston norms.
Categories: math.GT