arXiv subjects

Arman Taghavi-Chabert

Publications and source records attributed to Arman Taghavi-Chabert.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Perturbations of Fefferman spaces over CR three-manifolds

We introduce a generalisation of Fefferman's conformal circle bundle over a contact Cauchy-Riemann three-manifold. These can be viewed as exact `perturbations' of Fefferman's structure by a semi-basic one-form, which encodes additional data on the CR three-manifold. We find conditions on the Weyl tensor and the Bach tensor for a Lorentzian conformal four-manifold equipped with a twisting non-shearing congruence of null geodesics to be locally conformally isometric to such a perturbed Fefferman space. We investigate the existence of metrics in the perturbed Fefferman conformal class satisfying appropriate sub-conditions of the Einstein equations, such as the so-called pure radiation equations. These metrics are defined only off cross-sections of Fefferman's circle bundle, and are conveniently expressed in terms of densities that generalise Gover's notion of almost Einstein scales. Our setup allows us to reduce the prescriptions on the Ricci tensor to the underlying CR three-manifold in terms of differential constraints on a complex density and the CR data of the perturbation one-form. One such constraint turns out to arise from a non-linear, or gauged, analogue of a second-order differential operator on densities. A solution thereof provides a criterion for the existence of a CR function and, under certain conditions, for the realisability of the CR three-manifold. These findings are consistent with previous works by Lewandowski, Nurowski, Tafel, Hill, and independently, by Mason. We also provide an analysis of the Weyl curvature of such conformal structures in terms of the underlying CR data. In particular, we arrive at a CR formulation of the asymptotic Einstein condition by viewing conformal infinity as a cross-section of Fefferman's circle bundle.

math.DG↗

arXiv2025

Perturbations of Fefferman spaces over almost CR manifolds

We construct a one-parameter family of Lorentzian conformal structures on the canonical circle bundle of a partially integrable contact almost Cauchy-Riemann manifold. This builds on previous work by Leitner, who generalised Fefferman's construction associated to a CR manifold to the non-involutive case. We provide characterisations of these conformal structures and show that they admit distinguished pure spinor fields. We introduce exact 'perturbations' of such Fefferman spaces by a semi-basic one-form, which can be suitably interpreted as a tuple of weighted tensors on the almost CR manifold. The resulting perturbed conformal space is an instance of a so-called nearly Robinson manifold introduced recently by Fino, Leistner and the present author. We investigate the existence of metrics in these conformal classes which satisfy appropriate subsystems of the Einstein equations. These metrics are defined only off cross-sections of Fefferman's circle bundle, and are conveniently expressed in terms of almost Lorentzian densities, which include Gover's almost Einstein scales as a special case. In particular, in dimensions greater than four, almost Einstein scales always arise from so-called CR-Einstein structures, almost CR analogues of Einstein metrics. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for a perturbed Fefferman space to be conformally flat on the zero set of an almost Einstein scale. We construct an explicit example of a CR-Einstein structure on a strictly almost CR five-manifold based on a strictly almost Kaehler-Einstein four-manifold due to Nurowski and Przanowski.

math.DG↗

arXiv2025

Optical geometries

We study the notion of optical geometry, defined to be a Lorentzian manifold equipped with a null line distribution, from the perspective of intrinsic torsion. This is an instance of a non-integrable version of holonomy reduction in Lorentzian geometry. These generate congruences of null curves, which play an important rôle in general relativity. Conformal properties of these are investigated. We also extend this concept to generalised optical geometries as introduced by Robinson and Trautman.

math.DG↗

arXiv2023

Almost Robinson geometries

We investigate the geometry of almost Robinson manifolds, Lorentzian analogues of almost Hermitian manifolds, defined by Nurowski and Trautman as Lorentzian manifolds of even dimension equipped with a totally null complex distribution of maximal rank. Associated to such a structure, there is a congruence of null curves, which, in dimension four, is geodesic and non-shearing if and only if the complex distribution is involutive. Under suitable conditions, the distribution gives rise to an almost Cauchy-Riemann structure on the leaf space of the congruence. We give a comprehensive classification of such manifolds on the basis of their intrinsic torsion. This includes an investigation of the relation between an almost Robinson structure and the geometric properties of the leaf space of its congruence. We also obtain conformally invariant properties of such a structure, and we finally study an analogue of so-called generalised optical geometries as introduced by Robinson and Trautman.

math.DG↗

arXiv2021

Twisting non-shearing congruences of null geodesics, almost CR structures, and Einstein metrics in even dimensions

We investigate the geometry of a twisting non-shearing congruence of null geodesics on a conformal manifold of even dimension greater than four and Lorentzian signature. We give a necessary and sufficient condition on the Weyl tensor for the twist to induce an almost Robinson structure, that is, the screen bundle of the congruence is equipped with a bundle complex structure. In this case, the (local) leaf space of the congruence acquires a partially integrable contact almost CR structure of positive definite signature. We give further curvature conditions for the integrability of the almost Robinson structure and the almost CR structure, and for the flatness of the latter. We show that under a mild natural assumption on the Weyl tensor, any metric in the conformal class that is a solution to the Einstein field equations determines an almost CR-Einstein structure on the leaf space of the congruence. These metrics depend on three parameters, and include the Fefferman-Einstein metric and Taub-NUT-(A)dS metric in the integrable case. In the non-integrable case, we obtain new solutions to the Einstein field equations, which, we show, can be constructed from strictly almost Kaehler-Einstein manifolds.

math.DG↗

arXiv2020

Conformal Patterson-Walker metrics

The classical Patterson-Walker construction of a split-signature (pseudo-)Riemannian structure from a given torsion-free affine connection is generalized to a construction of a split-signature conformal structure from a given projective class of connections. A characterization of the induced structures is obtained. We achieve a complete description of Einstein metrics in the conformal class formed by the Patterson-Walker metric. Finally, we describe all symmetries of the conformal Patterson-Walker metric. In both cases we obtain descriptions in terms of geometric data on the original structure.

math.DG↗

arXiv2020

Distinguished curves and integrability in Riemannian, conformal, and projective geometry

We give a new characterisation of the unparametrised geodesics, or distinguished curves, for affine, pseudo-Riemannian, conformal, and projective geometry. This is a type of moving incidence relation. The characterisation is used to provide a very general theory and construction of quantities that are necessarily conserved along the curves. The formalism immediately yields explicit formulae for these curve first integrals. The usual role of Killing tensors and conformal Killing tensors is recovered as a special case, but the construction shows that a significantly larger class of equation solutions also yield curve first integrals. In particular any normal solution to an equation from the class of first BGG equations can yield such a conserved quantity. For some equations the condition of normality is not required. For nowhere-null curves in pseudo-Riemannian and conformal geometry additional results are available. We provide a fundamental tractor-valued invariant of such curves and this quantity is parallel if and only if the curve is an unparametrised conformal circle.

math.DG↗

arXiv2018

Decomposable $(4,7)$ solutions in eleven-dimensional supergravity

Consider an oriented four-dimensional Lorentzian manifold $(\widetilde{M}^{3, 1}, \widetilde{g})$ and an oriented seven-dimensional Riemannian manifold $(M^{7}, g)$. We describe a class of decomposable eleven-dimensional supergravity backgrounds on the product manifold $({\mathcal{M}}^{10, 1}=\widetilde{M}^{3,1} \times M^7, g_{\mathcal{M}}=\widetilde{g}+g)$, endowed with a flux form given in terms of the volume form on $\widetilde{M}^{3, 1}$ and a closed $4$-form $F^{4}$ on $M^{7}$. We show that the Maxwell equation for such a flux form can be read in terms of the co-closed 3-form $ϕ=\star_{7}F^{4}$. Moreover, the supergravity equation reduces to the condition that $(\widetilde{M}^{3,1},\widetilde{g})$ is an Einstein manifold with negative Einstein constant and $(M^7, g, F)$ is a Riemannian manifold which satisfies the Einstein equation with a stress-energy tensor associated to the 3-form $ϕ$. Whenever this 3-form is generic, the Maxwell equation induces a weak ${\rm G}_2$-structure on $M^{7}$ and then we obtain decomposable supergravity backgrounds given by the product of a weak ${\rm G}_2$-manifold $(M^7, ϕ, g)$ with a Lorentzian Einstein manifold $(\widetilde{M}^{3,1},\widetilde{g})$. We classify homogeneous 7-manifolds $M^{7}=G/H$ of a compact Lie group $G$ and indicate the cosets which admit an invariant or non-invariant ${\rm G}_2$-structure, or even no ${\rm G}_2$-structure. Then we construct examples of compact homogeneous Riemannian 7-manifolds endowed with non-generic invariant 3-forms which satisfy the Maxwell equation, but the construction of decomposable homogeneous supergravity backgrounds of this type remains an open problem.

math.DG↗

arXiv2017

A Projective-to-Conformal Fefferman-Type Construction

We study a Fefferman-type construction based on the inclusion of Lie groups ${\rm SL}(n+1)$ into ${\rm Spin}(n+1,n+1)$. The construction associates a split-signature $(n,n)$-conformal spin structure to a projective structure of dimension $n$. We prove the existence of a canonical pure twistor spinor and a light-like conformal Killing field on the constructed conformal space. We obtain a complete characterisation of the constructed conformal spaces in terms of these solutions to overdetermined equations and an integrability condition on the Weyl curvature. The Fefferman-type construction presented here can be understood as an alternative approach to study a conformal version of classical Patterson-Walker metrics as discussed in recent works by Dunajski-Tod and by the authors. The present work therefore gives a complete exposition of conformal Patterson-Walker metrics from the viewpoint of parabolic geometry.

math.DG↗

arXiv2017

Pure spinors, intrinsic torsion and curvature in odd dimensions

We study the geometric properties of a $(2m+1)$-dimensional complex manifold $\mathcal{M}$ admitting a holomorphic reduction of the frame bundle to the structure group $P \subset \mathrm{Spin}(2m+1,\mathbb{C})$, the stabiliser of the line spanned by a pure spinor at a point. Geometrically, $\mathcal{M}$ is endowed with a holomorphic metric $g$, a holomorphic volume form, a spin structure compatible with $g$, and a holomorphic pure spinor field $ξ$ up to scale. The defining property of $ξ$ is that it determines an almost null structure, i.e.\ an $m$-plane distribution $\mathcal{N}_ξ$ along which $g$ is totally degenerate. We develop a spinor calculus, by means of which we encode the geometric properties of $\mathcal{N}_ξ$ and of its rank-$(m+1)$ orthogonal complement $\mathcal{N}_ξ^\perp$ corresponding to the algebraic properties of the intrinsic torsion of the $P$-structure. This is the failure of the Levi-Civita connection $\nabla$ of $g$ to be compatible with the $P$-structure. In a similar way, we examine the algebraic properties of the curvature of $\nabla$. Applications to spinorial differential equations are given. Notably, we relate the integrability properties of $\mathcal{N}_ξ$ and $\mathcal{N}_ξ^\perp$ to the existence of solutions of odd-dimensional versions of the zero-rest-mass field equation. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the almost null structure associated to a pure conformal Killing spinor to be integrable. Finally, we conjecture a Goldberg--Sachs-type theorem on the existence of a certain class of almost null structures when $(\mathcal{M},g)$ has prescribed curvature. We discuss applications of this work to the study of real pseudo-Riemannian manifolds.

math.DG↗

arXiv2017

Twistor Geometry of Null Foliations in Complex Euclidean Space

We give a detailed account of the geometric correspondence between a smooth complex projective quadric hypersurface $\mathcal{Q}^n$ of dimension $n \geq 3$, and its twistor space $\mathbb{PT}$, defined to be the space of all linear subspaces of maximal dimension of $\mathcal{Q}^n$. Viewing complex Euclidean space $\mathbb{CE}^n$ as a dense open subset of $\mathcal{Q}^n$, we show how local foliations tangent to certain integrable holomorphic totally null distributions of maximal rank on $\mathbb{CE}^n$ can be constructed in terms of complex submanifolds of $\mathbb{PT}$. The construction is illustrated by means of two examples, one involving conformal Killing spinors, the other, conformal Killing-Yano $2$-forms. We focus on the odd-dimensional case, and we treat the even-dimensional case only tangentially for comparison.

math.DG↗

arXiv2016

Fefferman-Graham ambient metrics of Patterson-Walker metrics

Given an $n$-dimensional manifold $N$ with an affine connection $D$, we show that the associated Patterson-Walker metric $g$ on $T^*N$ admits a global and explicit Fefferman-Graham ambient metric. This provides a new and large class of conformal structures which are generically not conformally Einstein but for which the ambient metric exists to all orders and can be realized in a natural and explicit way. In particular, it follows that Patterson-Walker metrics have vanishing Fefferman-Graham obstruction tensors. As an application of the concrete ambient metric realization we show in addition that Patterson-Walker metrics have vanishing Q-curvature.

math.DG↗

arXiv2016

Pure spinors, intrinsic torsion and curvature in even dimensions

We study the geometric properties of a $2m$-dimensional complex manifold $\mathcal{M}$ admitting a holomorphic reduction of the frame bundle to the structure group $P \subset \mathrm{Spin}(2m,\mathbb{C})$, the stabiliser of the line spanned by a pure spinor at a point. Geometrically, $\mathcal{M}$ is endowed with a holomorphic metric $g$, a holomorphic volume form, a spin structure compatible with $g$, and a holomorphic pure spinor field $ξ$ up to scale. The defining property of $ξ$ is that it determines an almost null structure, ie an $m$-plane distribution $\mathcal{N}_ξ$ along which $g$ is totally degenerate. We develop a spinor calculus, by means of which we encode the geometric properties of $\mathcal{N}_ξ$ corresponding to the algebraic properties of the intrinsic torsion of the $P$-structure. This is the failure of the Levi-Civita connection $\nabla$ of $g$ to be compatible with the $P$-structure. In a similar way, we examine the algebraic properties of the curvature of $\nabla$. Applications to spinorial differential equations are given. In particular, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the almost null structure associated to a pure conformal Killing spinor to be integrable. We also conjecture a Goldberg-Sachs-type theorem on the existence of a certain class of almost null structures when $(\mathcal{M},g)$ has prescribed curvature. We discuss applications of this work to the study of real pseudo-Riemannian manifolds.

math.DG↗

arXiv2015

The curvature of almost Robinson manifolds

An almost Robinson structure on an $n$-dimensional Lorentzian manifold $(\mcM,g)$, where $n=2m+ε$, $ε\in \{ 0 ,1 \}$, is a complex $m$-plane distribution $\mcN$ that is totally null with respect to the complexified metric, and intersects its complex conjugate in a real null line distribution $\mcK$, say. When $\mcN$ and its orthogonal complement $\mcN^\perp$ are in involution, the line distribution $\mcK$ is tangent to a congruence of null geodesics, and the quotient of $\mcM$ by this flow acquires the structure of a CR manifold. In four dimensions, such a congruence is shearfree. We give classifications of the tracefree Ricci tensor, the Cotton-York tensor and the Weyl tensor, invariant under i) the stabiliser of a null line, and ii) the stabiliser of an almost Robinson structure. For the Weyl tensor, these are generalisations of the Petrov classification to higher dimensions. Since an almost Robinson structure is equivalent to a projective pure spinor field of real index $1$, the present work can also be viewed as spinorial classifications of curvature tensors. We illustrate these algebraic classifications by a number of examples of higher-dimensional general relativity that admit integrable almost Robinson structures, emphasising the degeneracy type of the Weyl tensor in each case.

math.DG↗

arXiv2015

A Goldberg-Sachs theorem in dimension three

We prove a Goldberg-Sachs theorem in dimension three. To be precise, given a three-dimensional Lorentzian manifold satisfying the topological massive gravity equations, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions on the tracefree Ricci tensor for the existence of a null line distribution whose orthogonal complement is integrable and totally geodetic. This includes, in particular, Kundt spacetimes that are solutions of the topological massive gravity equations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

The complex Goldberg-Sachs theorem in higher dimensions

We study the geometric properties of holomorphic distributions of totally null $m$-planes on a $(2m+ε)$-dimensional complex Riemannian manifold $(\mathcal{M}, \bm{g})$, where $ε\in {0,1}$ and $m \geq 2$. In particular, given such a distribution $\mathcal{N}$, say, we obtain algebraic conditions on the Weyl tensor and the Cotton-York tensor which guarrantee the integrability of $\mathcal{N}$, and in odd dimensions, of its orthogonal complement. These results generalise the Petrov classification of the (anti-)self-dual part of the complex Weyl tensor, and the complex Goldberg-Sachs theorem from four to higher dimensions. Higher-dimensional analogues of the Petrov type D condition are defined, and we show that these lead to the integrability of up to $2^m$ holomorphic distributions of totally null $m$-planes. Finally, we adapt these findings to the category of real smooth pseudo-Riemannian manifolds, commenting notably on the applications to Hermitian geometry and Robinson (or optical) geometry.

math.DG↗

arXiv2011

Optical structures, algebraically special spacetimes, and the Goldberg-Sachs theorem in five dimensions

Optical (or Robinson) structures are one generalisation of four-dimensional shearfree congruences of null geodesics to higher dimensions. They are Lorentzian analogues of complex and CR structures. In this context, we extend the Goldberg-Sachs theorem to five dimensions. To be precise, we find a new algebraic condition on the Weyl tensor, which generalises the Petrov type II condition, in the sense that it ensures the existence of such congruences on a five-dimensional spacetime, vacuum or under weaker assumptions on the Ricci tensor. This results in a significant simplification of the field equations. We discuss possible degenerate cases, including a five-dimensional generalisation of the Petrov type D condition. We also show that the vacuum black ring solution is endowed with optical structures, yet fails to be algebraically special with respect to them. We finally explain the generalisation of these ideas to higher dimensions, which has been checked in six and seven dimensions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2009

Killing-Yano tensors and multi-hermitian structures

We show that the Euclidean Kerr-NUT-(A)dS metric in $2m$ dimensions locally admits $2^m$ hermitian complex structures. These are derived from the existence of a non-degenerate closed conformal Killing-Yano tensor with distinct eigenvalues. More generally, a conformal Killing-Yano tensor, provided its exterior derivative satisfies a certain condition, algebraically determines $2^m$ almost complex structures that turn out to be integrable as a consequence of the conformal Killing-Yano equations. In the complexification, these lead to $2^m$ maximal isotropic foliations of the manifold and, in Lorentz signature, these lead to two congruences of null geodesics. These are not shear-free, but satisfy a weaker condition that also generalizes the shear-free condition from 4-dimensions to higher-dimensions. In odd dimensions, a conformal Killing-Yano tensor leads to similar integrable distributions in the complexification. We show that the recently discovered 5-dimensional solution of Lu, Mei and Pope also admits such integrable distributions, although this does not quite fit into the story as the obvious associated two-form is not conformal Killing-Yano. We give conditions on the Weyl curvature tensor imposed by the existence of a non-degenerate conformal Killing-Yano tensor; these give an appropriate generalization of the type D condition on a Weyl tensor from four dimensions.

math.DG↗