Mathematical Properties of a Class of Four-dimensional Neutral Signature Metrics

While the Lorenzian and Riemanian metrics for which all polynomial scalar curvature invariants vanish (the VSI property) are well-studied, less is known about the four-dimensional neutral signature metrics with the VSI property. Recently it was shown that the neutral signature metrics belong to two distinct subclasses: the Walker and Kundt metrics. In this paper we have chosen an example from each of the two subcases of the Ricci-flat VSI Walker metrics respectively. To investigate the difference between the metrics we determine the existence of a null, geodesic, expansion-free, shear-free and vorticity-free vector, and classify these spaces using their infinitesimal holonomy algebras. The geometric implications of the holonomy algebras are further studied by identifying the recurrent or covariantly constant null vectors, whose existence is required by the holonomy structure in each example. We conclude the paper with a simple example of the equivalence algorithm for these pseudo-Riemannian manifolds, which is the only approach to classification that provides all necessary information to determine equivalence.Comment: 18 page

A family of complex nilmanifolds with infinitely many real homotopy types

We find a one-parameter family of non-isomorphic nilpotent Lie algebras $\mathfrak{g}_a$, with $a \in [0,\infty)$, of real dimension eight with (strongly non-nilpotent) complex structures. By restricting $a$ to take rational values, we arrive at the existence of infinitely many real homotopy types of $8$-dimensional nilmanifolds admitting a complex structure. Moreover, balanced Hermitian metrics and generalized Gauduchon metrics on such nilmanifolds are constructed.Comment: 15 page

Six dimensional solvmanifolds with holomorphically trivial canonical bundle

We determine the 6-dimensional solvmanifolds admitting an invariant complex structure with holomorphically trivial canonical bundle. Such complex structures are classified up to isomorphism, and the existence of strong K\"ahler with torsion (SKT), generalized Gauduchon, balanced and strongly Gauduchon metrics is studied. As an application we construct a holomorphic family $(M,J_a)$ of compact complex manifolds such that $(M,J_a)$ satisfies the $\partial\bar\partial$-Lemma and admits a balanced metric for any $a\not=0$, but the central limit neither satisfies the $\partial\bar\partial$-Lemma nor admits balanced metrics.Comment: 32 pages; to appear in IMR

Ricci-flat and Einstein pseudoriemannian nilmanifolds

This is partly an expository paper, where the authors' work on pseudoriemannian Einstein metrics on nilpotent Lie groups is reviewed. A new criterion is given for the existence of a diagonal Einstein metric on a nice nilpotent Lie group. Classifications of special classes of Ricci-flat metrics on nilpotent Lie groups of dimension $\leq8$ are obtained. Some related open questions are presented.Comment: 30 pages, 1 figure. v2: added a comment on a recent example of an Einstein nilpotent Lie algebra of dimension 7; added a remark and a question concerning the characteristically nilpotent case; replaced the "\sigma-compatible" condition with the more general "\sigma-diagonal"; added 3 reference