arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Frederik Witt.
Let $\mathcal E$ be a torus-linearised reflexive sheaf over a smooth projective toric variety. Generalising a theorem of Perlman and Smith, we prove an explicit sufficient condition for $\mathcal E$ to be acyclic via Weil decorations.
We present an algebraic approach to evolutionary accumulation modelling (EvAM). EvAM is concerned with learning and predicting the order in which evolutionary features accumulate over time. Our approach is complementary to the more common optimisation-based inference methods used in this field. Namely, we first use the natural underlying polynomial structure of the evolutionary process to define a semi-algebraic set of candidate parameters consistent with a given data set before maximising the likelihood function. We consider explicit examples and show that this approach is compatible with the solutions given by various statistical evolutionary accumulation models. Furthermore, we discuss the additional information of our algebraic model relative to these models.
For a normal algebraic variety we generalise the relation between reflexive rank one sheaves and Weil divisors to reflexive sheaves of arbitrary rank and so-called Weil decorations. As an application, we define and study a natural generalisation of the celebrated Horrocks-Mumford bundle.
For a vector bundle $\mathcal E \to \mathbb P^\ell$ we investigate exceptional sequences of line bundles on the total space of the projectivisation $X = \mathbb P(\mathcal E)$. In particular, we consider the case of the cotangent bundle of $\mathbb P^\ell$. If $\ell = 2$, we completely classify the (strong) exceptional sequences and show that any maximal exceptional sequence is full. For general $\ell$, we prove that the Rouquier dimension of $\mathcal D(X)$ equals $\dim X$, thereby confirming a conjecture of Orlov.
Over a smooth projective toric variety we study toric sheaves, that is, reflexive sheaves equivariant with respect to the acting torus, from a polyhedral point of view. One application is the explicit construction of the torus invariant universal extension of two nef line bundles via polyhedral inclusion/exclusion sequences. Second, we link the cohomology of toric sheaves to the cohomology of certain constructible sheaves explicitly built out of the associated polyhedra. For the latter we define a concrete double complex and a spectral sequence which computes the cohomology of toric sheaves from the reduced cohomology of polyhedral subsets living in the realification of the character lattice of the toric variety.
For a smooth projective toric variety of Picard rank two we classify all exceptional sequences of invertible sheaves which have maximal length. In particular, we prove that unlike non-maximal sequences, they (a) remain exceptional under lexicographical reordering (b) satisfy strong height constraints in the Picard lattice (c) are full, that is, they generate the derived category of the variety.
We characterise and investigate co-Higgs sheaves and associated algebraic and combinatorial invariants on toric varieties. In particular, we compute explicit examples.
We study the asymptotics of the natural $L^2$ metric on the Hitchin moduli space with group $G = \mathrm{SU}(2)$. Our main result, which addresses a detailed conjectural picture made by Gaiotto, Neitzke and Moore \cite{gmn13}, is that on the regular part of the Hitchin system, this metric is well-approximated by the semiflat metric from \cite{gmn13}. We prove that the asymptotic rate of convergence for gauged tangent vectors to the moduli space has a precise polynomial expansion, and hence that the the difference between the two sets of metric coefficients in a certain natural coordinate system also has polynomial decay. Very recent work by Dumas and Neitzke indicates that the convergence rate for the metric is exponential, at least in certain directions.
On a closed connected oriented manifold $M$ we study the space $\mathcal{M}_\|(M)$ of all Riemannian metrics which admit a non-zero parallel spinor on the universal covering. Such metrics are Ricci-flat, and all known Ricci-flat metrics are of this form. We show the following: The space $\mathcal{M}_\|(M)$ is a smooth submanifold of the space of all metrics, and its premoduli space is a smooth finite-dimensional manifold. The holonomy group is locally constant on $\mathcal{M}_\|(M)$. If $M$ is spin, then the dimension of the space of parallel spinors is a locally constant function on $\mathcal{M}_\|(M)$.
On the universal bundle of unit spinors we study a natural energy functional whose critical points, if dim M \geq 3, are precisely the pairs (g, ϕ) consisting of a Ricci-flat Riemannian metric g together with a parallel g-spinor ϕ. We investigate the basic properties of this functional and study its negative gradient flow, the so-called spinor flow. In particular, we prove short-time existence and uniqueness for this flow.
We review recent work on the compactification of the moduli space of Hitchin's self-duality equation. We study the degeneration behavior near the ends of this moduli space in a set of generic directions by showing how limiting configurations can be desingularized. Following ideas of Hitchin, we can relate the top boundary stratum of this space of limiting configurations to a Prym variety. A key rôle is played by the family of rotationally symmetric solutions to the self-duality equation on $\mathbb C$, which we discuss in detail here.
We associate to each stable Higgs pair $(A_0,Φ_0)$ on a compact Riemann surface $X$ a singular limiting configuration $(A_\infty,Φ_\infty)$, assuming that $\det Φ$ has only simple zeroes. We then prove a desingularization theorem by constructing a family of solutions $(A_t,tΦ_t)$ to Hitchin's equations which converge to this limiting configuration as $t \to \infty$. This provides a new proof, via gluing methods, for elements in the ends of the Higgs bundle moduli space and identifies a dense open subset of the boundary of the compactification of this moduli space.
Toric varieties play an important role both in symplectic and complex geometry. In symplectic geometry, the construction of a symplectic toric manifold from a smooth polytope is due to Delzant. In algebraic geometry, there is a more general construction using fans rather than polytopes. However, in case the fan is induced by a smooth polytope Audin showed both constructions to give isomorphic projective varieties. For rational but not necessarily smooth polytopes the Delzant construction was refined by Lerman and Tolman, leading to symplectic toric orbifolds or more generally, symplectic toric DM stacks (Lerman and Malkin). We show that the stacks resulting from the Lerman-Tolman construction are isomorphic to the stacks obtained by Borisov et al. in case the stacky fan is induced by a polytope. No originality is claimed (cf. also an article by Sakai). Rather we hope that this text serves as an example driven introduction to symplectic toric geometry for the algebraically minded reader.
We extend short-time existence and stability of the Dirichlet energy flow as proven in a previous paper by the authors to a broader class of energy functionals. Furthermore, we derive some monotonely decreasing quantities for the Dirichlet energy flow and investigate an equation of soliton type. In particular, we show that nearly parallel G_2-structures satisfy this soliton equation and study their infinitesimal soliton deformations.
On the space of positive 3-forms on a seven-manifold, we study a natural functional whose critical points induce metrics with holonomy contained in $G_2$. We prove short-time existence and uniqueness for its negative gradient flow. Furthermore, we show that the flow exists for all times and converges modulo diffeomorphisms to some critical point for any initial condition sufficiently $C^\infty$-close to a critical point.
In recent work N. Hitchin introduced the concept of "generalised geometry". The key feature of generalised structures is that that they can be acted on by both diffeomorphisms and 2-forms, the so-called $B$-fields. In this lecture, we give a basic introduction and explain some of the fundamental ideas. Further, we discuss some examples of generalised geometries starting from the usual notion of a Calabi-Yau manifold, as well as applications to string theory.
We study the geometry of type II supergravity compactifications in terms of an oriented vector bundle $E$, endowed with a bundle metric of split signature and further datum. The geometric structure is associated with a so-called generalised $G$-structure and characterised by an $E$-spinor $ρ$, which we can regard as a differential form of mixed degree. This enables us to reformulate the field equations of type II supergravity as an integrability condition of type $d_Hρ=0$, where $d_H=d+H\wedge$ is the twisted differential on forms. Finally, we investigate some geometric properties of integrable structures and formulate various no-go theorems.
We first review the notion of a $G_2$-manifold, defined in terms of a principal $G_2$ ("gauge") bundle over a $7$-dimensional manifold, before discussing their relation to supergravity. In a second thread, we focus on associative submanifolds and present their deformation theory. In particular, we elaborate on a deformation problem with coassociative boundary condition. Its space of infinitesimal deformations can be identified with the solution space of an elliptic equation whose index is given by a topological formula.