In the finite von Neumann algebra setting, we introduce the concept of a perturbation determinant associated with a pair of self-adjoint elements $H_0$ and $H$ in the algebra and relate it to the concept of the de la Harpe--Skandalis homotopy invariant determinant associated with piecewise $C^1$-paths of operators joining $H_0$ and $H$. We obtain an analog of Krein's formula that relates the perturbation determinant and the spectral shift function and, based on this relation, we derive subsequently (i) the Birman--Solomyak formula for a general non-linear perturbation, (ii) a universality of a spectral averaging, and (iii) a generalization of the Dixmier--Fuglede--Kadison differentiation formula.

We study the gap (= ``projection norm'' = ``graph distance'') topology of the space of all (not necessarily bounded) self-adjoint Fredholm operators in a separable Hilbert space by the Cayley transform and direct methods. In particular, we show the surprising result that this space is connected in contrast to the bounded case. Moreover, we present a rigorous definition of spectral flow of a path of such operators (actually alternative but mutually equivalent definitions) and prove the homotopy invariance. As an example, we discuss operator curves on manifolds with boundary.