Tanaka structures (non holonomic G-structures) and Cartan connections

Let \gh = \gh_{-k}\oplus \cdots \oplus \gh_{l} (k >0, l \geq 0) be a finite dimensional real graded Lie algebra, with a Euclidian metric \langle \cdot , \cdot \rangle adapted to the gradation. The metric \langle\cdot , \cdot \rangle is called admissible if the codifferentials \partial^{*} : C^{k+1}(\gh_{-}, \gh ) \ra C^{k} (\gh_{-}, \gh) (k\geq 0) are Ad_{Q}-invariant (Lie(Q) = \gh_{0}\oplus \gh_{+}). We find necessary and sufficient conditions for a Euclidian metric, adapted to the gradation, to be admissible, and we develop a theory of normal Cartan connections, when these conditions are satisfied. We show how the treatment by A. Cap and J. Slovak (Parabolic Geometry I, Mathematical Surveys and Monographs, vol. 154, 2009), about normal Cartan connections of semisimple type, fits into our theory. We also consider in some detail the case when \gh = t^{*} (\gg ) is the cotangent Lie algebra of a non-positively graded Lie algebra \gg.Comment: 24 pages; minor corrections with respect to the previous versio

Spin structures on compact homogeneous pseudo-Riemannian manifolds

We study spin structures on compact simply-connected homogeneous pseudo-Riemannian manifolds (M = G/H, g) of a compact semisimple Lie group G. We classify flag manifolds F = G/H of a compact simple Lie group which are spin. This yields also the classification of all flag manifolds carrying an invariant metaplectic structure. Then we investigate spin structures on principal torus bundles over flag manifolds, i.e. C-spaces, or equivalently simply-connected homogeneous complex manifolds M=G/L of a compact semisimple Lie group G. We study the topology of M and we provide a sufficient and necessary condition for the existence of an (invariant) spin structure, in terms of the Koszul form of F. We also classify all C-spaces which are fibered over an exceptional spin flag manifold and hence they are spin

Homogeneous almost K\"ahler manifolds and the Chern-Einstein equation

Given a non compact semisimple Lie group $G$ we describe all homogeneous spaces $G/L$ carrying an invariant almost K\"ahler structure $(\omega,J)$. When $L$ is abelian and $G$ is of classical type, we classify all such spaces which are Chern-Einstein, i.e. which satisfy $\rho = \lambda\omega$ for some $\lambda\in\mathbb R$, where $\rho$ is the Ricci form associated to the Chern connection.Comment: Some sentences have been added in the Introductio

Prolongation of Tanaka structures: an alternative approach

The classical theory of prolongation of G-structures was generalized by N. Tanaka to a wide class of geometric structures (Tanaka structures), which are defined on a non-holonomic distribution. Examples of Tanaka structures include subriemannian, subconformal, CR-structures, structures associated to second order differential equations and structures defined by gradings of Lie algebras (in the setting of parabolic geometry). Tanaka's prolongation procedure associates to a Tanaka structure of finite order a manifold with an absolute parallelism. It is a very fruitful method for the description of local invariants, investigation of the automorphism group and the equivalence problem. In this paper we develop an alternative constructive approach for Tanaka's prolongation procedure, based on the theory of quasi-gradations in filtered vector spaces, G-structures and their torsion functions.Comment: 28 pages, minor changes, one reference adde

Shortest and Straightest Geodesics in Sub-Riemannian Geometry

There are many equivalent definitions of Riemannian geodesics. They are naturally generalised to sub-Riemannian manifold, but become non-equivalent. We give a review of different definitions of geodesics of a sub-Riemannian manifold and interrelation between them. We recall three variational definitions of geodesics as (locally) shortest curves (Euler-Lagrange, Pontyagin and Hamilton) and three definitions of geodesics as straightest curves (d'Alembert , Levi-Civita-Schouten and Cartan-Tanaka ), used in nonholonomic mechanics and discuss their interrelations. We consider a big class of sub-Riemannian manifolds associated with principal bundle over a Riemannian manifolds, for which shortest geodesics coincides with straightest geodesics. Using the geometry of flag manifolds, we describe some classes of compact homogeneous sub-Riemannian manifolds (including contact sub-Riemannian manifolds and symmetric sub-Riemannian manifolds) where straightest geodesics coincides with shortest geodesics. Construction of geodesics in these cases reduces to description of Riemannian geodesics of the Riemannian homogeneous manifold or left-invariant metric on a Lie group.Comment: 35 page

Differential geometry of Cartan connections

For a more general notion of Cartan connection we define characteristic classes, we investigate their relation to usual characteristic classes

Homogeneous para-K\"ahler Einstein manifolds

A para-K\"ahler manifold can be defined as a pseudo-Riemannian manifold $(M,g)$ with a parallel skew-symmetric para-complex structures $K$, i.e. a parallel field of skew-symmetric endomorphisms with $K^2 = \mathrm{Id}$ or, equivalently, as a symplectic manifold $(M,\omega)$ with a bi-Lagrangian structure $L^\pm$, i.e. two complementary integrable Lagrangian distributions. A homogeneous manifold $M = G/H$ of a semisimple Lie group $G$ admits an invariant para-K\"ahler structure $(g,K)$ if and only if it is a covering of the adjoint orbit $\mathrm{Ad}_Gh$ of a semisimple element $h.$ We give a description of all invariant para-K\"ahler structures $(g,K)$ on a such homogeneous manifold. Using a para-complex analogue of basic formulas of K\"ahler geometry, we prove that any invariant para-complex structure $K$ on $M = G/H$ defines a unique para-K\"ahler Einstein structure $(g,K)$ with given non-zero scalar curvature. An explicit formula for the Einstein metric $g$ is given. A survey of recent results on para-complex geometry is included.Comment: 44 page

Partially-flat gauge fields on manifolds of dimension greater than four

We describe two extensions of the notion of a self-dual connection in a vector bundle over a manifold M from dim M=4 to higher dimensions. The first extension, Omega-self-duality, is based on the existence of an appropriate 4-form Omega on the Riemannian manifold M and yields solutions of the Yang-Mills equations. The second is the notion of half-flatness, which is defined for manifolds with certain Grassmann structure T^C M \cong E \otimes H. In some cases, for example for hyper-Kaehler manifolds M, half-flatness implies Omega-self-duality. A construction of half-flat connections inspired by the harmonic space approach is described. Locally, any such connection can be obtained from a free prepotential by solving a system of linear first order ODEs.Comment: 8 page

Conification of K\"ahler and hyper-K\"ahler manifolds

Given a K\"ahler manifold $M$ endowed with a Hamiltonian Killing vector field $Z$, we construct a conical K\"ahler manifold $\hat{M}$ such that $M$ is recovered as a K\"ahler quotient of $\hat{M}$. Similarly, given a hyper-K\"ahler manifold $(M,g,J_1,J_2,J_3)$ endowed with a Killing vector field $Z$, Hamiltonian with respect to the K\"ahler form of $J_1$ and satisfying $\mathcal{L}_ZJ_2= -2J_3$, we construct a hyper-K\"ahler cone $\hat{M}$ such that $M$ is a certain hyper-K\"ahler quotient of $\hat{M}$. In this way, we recover a theorem by Haydys. Our work is motivated by the problem of relating the supergravity c-map to the rigid c-map. We show that any hyper-K\"ahler manifold in the image of the c-map admits a Killing vector field with the above properties. Therefore, it gives rise to a hyper-K\"ahler cone, which in turn defines a quaternionic K\"ahler manifold. Our results for the signature of the metric and the sign of the scalar curvature are consistent with what we know about the supergravity c-map.Comment: conjecture replaced by referenc

Maximally homogeneous para-CR manifolds of semisimple type

An almost para-CR structure on a manifold $M$ is given by a distribution $HM \subset TM$ together with a field $K \in \Gamma({\rm End}(HM))$ of involutive endomorphisms of $HM$. If $K$ satisfies an integrability condition, then $(HM,K)$ is called a para-CR structure. The notion of maximally homogeneous para-CR structure of a semisimple type is given. A classification of such maximally homogeneous para-CR structures is given in terms of appropriate gradations of real semisimple Lie algebras