Linearizing Generalized Kahler Geometry

The geometry of the target space of an N=(2,2) supersymmetry sigma-model carries a generalized Kahler structure. There always exists a real function, the generalized Kahler potential K, that encodes all the relevant local differential geometry data: the metric, the B-field, etc. Generically this data is given by nonlinear functions of the second derivatives of K. We show that, at least locally, the nonlinearity on any generalized Kahler manifold can be explained as arising from a quotient of a space without this nonlinearity.Comment: 31 pages, some geometrical aspects clarified, typos correcte

Gauge field theories with covariant star-product

A noncommutative gauge theory is developed using a covariant star-product between differential forms defined on a symplectic manifold, considered as the space-time. It is proven that the field strength two-form is gauge covariant and satisfies a deformed Bianchi identity. The noncommutative Yang-Mills action is defined using a gauge covariant metric on the space-time and its gauge invariance is proven up to the second order in the noncommutativity parameter.Comment: Dedicated to Ioan Gottlieb on the occasion of his 80th birthday anniversary. 12 page

Generalized Lenard Chains, Separation of Variables and Superintegrability

We show that the notion of generalized Lenard chains naturally allows formulation of the theory of multi-separable and superintegrable systems in the context of bi-Hamiltonian geometry. We prove that the existence of generalized Lenard chains generated by a Hamiltonian function defined on a four-dimensional \omega N manifold guarantees the separation of variables. As an application, we construct such chains for the H\'enon-Heiles systems and for the classical Smorodinsky-Winternitz systems. New bi-Hamiltonian structures for the Kepler potential are found.Comment: 14 pages Revte

Blowing up generalized Kahler 4-manifolds

We show that the blow-up of a generalized Kahler 4-manifold in a nondegenerate complex point admits a generalized Kahler metric. As with the blow-up of complex surfaces, this metric may be chosen to coincide with the original outside a tubular neighbourhood of the exceptional divisor. To accomplish this, we develop a blow-up operation for bi-Hermitian manifolds.Comment: 16 page

On the geometric quantization of twisted Poisson manifolds

We study the geometric quantization process for twisted Poisson manifolds. First, we introduce the notion of Lichnerowicz-twisted Poisson cohomology for twisted Poisson manifolds and we use it in order to characterize their prequantization bundles and to establish their prequantization condition. Next, we introduce a polarization and we discuss the quantization problem. In each step, several examples are presented

Generalized Kahler manifolds and off-shell supersymmetry

We solve the long standing problem of finding an off-shell supersymmetric formulation for a general N = (2, 2) nonlinear two dimensional sigma model. Geometrically the problem is equivalent to proving the existence of special coordinates; these correspond to particular superfields that allow for a superspace description. We construct and explain the geometric significance of the generalized Kahler potential for any generalized Kahler manifold; this potential is the superspace Lagrangian.Comment: 21 pages; references clarified and added; theorem generalized; typos correcte

Cohomology of skew-holomorphic Lie algebroids

We introduce the notion of skew-holomorphic Lie algebroid on a complex manifold, and explore some cohomologies theories that one can associate to it. Examples are given in terms of holomorphic Poisson structures of various sorts.Comment: 16 pages. v2: Final version to be published in Theor. Math. Phys. (incorporates only very minor changes

The general (2,2) gauged sigma model with three--form flux

We find the conditions under which a Riemannian manifold equipped with a closed three-form and a vector field define an on--shell N=(2,2) supersymmetric gauged sigma model. The conditions are that the manifold admits a twisted generalized Kaehler structure, that the vector field preserves this structure, and that a so--called generalized moment map exists for it. By a theorem in generalized complex geometry, these conditions imply that the quotient is again a twisted generalized Kaehler manifold; this is in perfect agreement with expectations from the renormalization group flow. This method can produce new N=(2,2) models with NS flux, extending the usual Kaehler quotient construction based on Kaehler gauged sigma models.Comment: 24 pages. v2: typos fixed, other minor correction

A sigma model field theoretic realization of Hitchin's generalized complex geometry

We present a sigma model field theoretic realization of Hitchin's generalized complex geometry, which recently has been shown to be relevant in compactifications of superstring theory with fluxes. Hitchin sigma model is closely related to the well known Poisson sigma model, of which it has the same field content. The construction shows a remarkable correspondence between the (twisted) integrability conditions of generalized almost complex structures and the restrictions on target space geometry implied by the Batalin--Vilkovisky classical master equation. Further, the (twisted) classical Batalin--Vilkovisky cohomology is related non trivially to a generalized Dolbeault cohomology.Comment: 28 pages, Plain TeX, no figures, requires AMS font files AMSSYM.DEF and amssym.tex. Typos in eq. 6.19 and some spelling correcte