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Ilka Agricola

Publications and source records attributed to Ilka Agricola.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2013

A note on generalized Dirac eigenvalues for split holonomy and torsion

We study the Dirac spectrum on compact Riemannian spin manifolds $M$ equipped with a metric connection $\nabla$ with skew torsion $T\inΛ^3 M$ in the situation where the tangent bundle splits under the holonomy of $\nabla$ and the torsion of $\nabla$ is of `split' type. We prove an optimal lower bound for the first eigenvalue of the Dirac operator with torsion that generalizes Friedrich's classical Riemannian estimate.

math.DG↗
arXiv2013

Cones of G manifolds and Killing spinors with skew torsion

This paper is devoted to the systematic investigation of the cone construction for Riemannian $G$ manifolds M, endowed with an invariant metric connection with skew torsion $\nabla^c$, a `characteristic connection'. We show how to define a $\bar G$ structure on the cone $\bar M=M\x \R^+$ with a cone metric, and we prove that a Killing spinor with torsion on $M$ induces a spinor on $\bar M$ that is parallel w.\,r.\,t. the characteristic connection of the $\bar G$ structure. We establish the explicit correspondence between classes of metric almost contact structures on $M$ and almost hermitian classes on $\bar M$, resp. between classes of $G_2$ structures on $M$ and $\Spin(7)$ structures on $\bar M$. Examples illustrate how this `cone correspondence with torsion' works in practice.

math.DG↗
arXiv2013

Twistorial eigenvalue estimates for generalized Dirac operators with torsion

We study the Dirac spectrum on compact Riemannian spin manifolds $M$ equipped with a metric connection $\nabla$ with skew torsion $T\inΛ^3M$ by means of twistor theory. An optimal lower bound for the first eigenvalue of the Dirac operator with torsion is found that generalizes Friedrich's classical Riemannian estimate. We also determine a novel twistor and Killing equation with torsion and use it to discuss the case in which the minimum is attained in the bound.

math.DG↗
arXiv2012

Sp(3) structures on 14-dimensional manifolds

The present article investigates Sp(3) structures on 14-dimensional Riemannian manifolds, a continuation of the recent study of manifolds modeled on rank two symmetric spaces (here: SU(6)/Sp(3)). We derive topological criteria for the existence of such a structure and construct large families of homogeneous examples. As a by-product, we prove a general uniqueness criterion for characteristic connections of G structures and that the notions of biinvariant, canonical, and characteristic connections coincide on Lie groups with biinvariant metric.

math.DG↗
arXiv2010

On the topology and the geometry of SO(3)-manifolds

Consider the nonstandard embedding of SO(3) into SO(5) given by the 5-dimensional irreducible representation of SO(3), henceforth called SO(3)_\ir. In this note, we study the topology and the differential geometry of 5-dimensional Riemannian manifolds carrying such an SO(3)_\ir structure, i.\,e. with a reduction of the frame bundle to SO(3)_\ir.

math.DG↗
arXiv2009

A note on flat metric connections with antisymmetric torsion

In this short note we study flat metric connections with antisymmetric torsion $T \neq 0$. The result has been originally discovered by Cartan/Schouten in 1926 and we provide a new proof not depending on the classification of symmetric spaces. Any space of that type splits and the irreducible factors are compact simple Lie group or a special connection on $S^7$. The latter case is interesting from the viewpoint of $G_2$-structures and we discuss its type in the sense of the Fernandez-Gray classification. Moreover, we investigate flat metric connections of vectorial type.

math.DG↗
arXiv2008

3-Sasakian manifolds in dimension seven, their spinors and G_2 structures

It is well-known that 7-dimensional 3-Sasakian manifolds carry a one-parametric family of compatible G_2 structures and that they do not admit a characteristic connection. In this note, we show that there is nevertheless a distinguished cocalibrated G_2 structure in this family whose characteristic connection along with its parallel spinor field can be used for a thorough investigation of the geometric properties of 7-dimensional 3-Sasakian manifolds. Many known and some new properties can be easily derived from the properties of this connection and the spinor field, yielding thus an appropriate substitute for the missing characteristic connection.

math.DG↗
arXiv2006

Eigenvalue estimates for Dirac operators with parallel characteristic torsion

Assume that the compact Riemannian spin manifold $(M^n,g)$ admits a $G$-structure with characteristic connection $\nabla$ and parallel characteristic torsion ($\nabla T=0$), and consider the Dirac operator $D^{1/3}$ corresponding to the torsion $T/3$. This operator plays an eminent role in the investigation of such manifolds and includes as special cases Kostant's ``cubic Dirac operator'' and the Dolbeault operator. In this article, we describe a general method of computation for lower bounds of the eigenvalues of $D^{1/3}$ by a clever deformation of the spinorial connection. In order to get explicit bounds, each geometric structure needs to be investigated separately; we do this in full generality in dimension 4 and for Sasaki manifolds in dimension 5.

math.DG↗
arXiv2006

The Srni lectures on non-integrable geometries with torsion

This review article intends to introduce the reader to non-integrable geometric structures on Riemannian manifolds and invariant metric connections with torsion, and to discuss recent aspects of mathematical physics--in particular superstring theory--where these naturally appear. Connections with skew-symmetric torsion are exhibited as one of the main tools to understand non-integrable geometries. To this aim a a series of key examples is presented and successively dealt with using the notions of intrinsic torsion and characteristic connection of a $G$-structure as unifying principles. % The General Holonomy Principle bridges over to parallel objects, thus motivating the discussion of geometric stabilizers, with emphasis on spinors and differential forms. Several Weitzenböck formulas for Dirac operators associated with torsion connections enable us to discuss spinorial field equations, such as those governing the common sector of type II superstring theory. They also provide the link to Kostant's cubic Dirac operator.

math.DG↗
arXiv2005

Geometric structures of vectorial type

We study geometric structures of $\mathcal{W}_4$-type in the sense of A. Gray on a Riemannian manifold. If the structure group $\mathrm{G} \subset \SO(n)$ preserves a spinor or a non-degenerate differential form, its intrinsic torsion $Γ$ is a closed 1-form (Proposition \ref{dGamma} and Theorem \ref{Fixspinor}). Using a $\mathrm{G}$-invariant spinor we prove a splitting theorem (Proposition \ref{splitting}). The latter result generalizes and unifies a recent result obtained in \cite{Ivanov&Co}, where this splitting has been proved in dimensions $n=7,8$ only. Finally we investigate geometric structures of vectorial type and admitting a characteristic connection $\nabla^{\mathrm{c}}$. An interesting class of geometric structures generalizing Hopf structures are those with a $\nabla^{\mathrm{c}}$-parallel intrinsic torsion $Γ$. In this case, $Γ$ induces a Killing vector field (Proposition \ref{Killing}) and for some special structure groups it is even parallel.

math.DG↗
arXiv2004

The geodesics of metric connections with vectorial torsion

The present note deals with the dynamics of metric connections with vectorial torsion, as already described by E. Cartan in 1925. We show that the geodesics of metric connections with vectorial torsion defined by gradient vector fields coincide with the Levi-Civita geodesics of a conformally equivalent metric. By pullback, this yields a systematic way of constructing invariants of motion for such connections from isometries of the conformally equivalent metric, and we explain in as much this result generalizes the Mercator projection which maps sphere loxodromes to straight lines in the plane. An example shows that Beltrami's theorem fails for this class of connections. We then study the system of differential equations describing geodesics in the plane for vector fields which are not gradients, and show among others that the Hopf-Rinow theorem does also not hold in general.

math.DG↗
arXiv2003

The Casimir operator of a metric connection with skew-symmetric torsion

For any triple $(M^n, g, \nabla)$ consisting of a Riemannian manifold and a metric connection with skew-symmetric torsion we introduce an elliptic, second order operator $Ω$ acting on spinor fields. In case of a reductive space and its canonical connection our construction yields the Casimir operator of the isometry group. Several non-homogeneous geometries (Sasakian, nearly Kähler, cocalibrated $\mathrm{G}_2$-structures) admit unique connections with skew-symmetric torsion. We study the corresponding Casimir operator and compare its kernel with the space of $\nabla$-parallel spinors.

math.DG↗
arXiv2003

Killing spinors in supergravity with 4-fluxes

We study the spinorial Killing equation of supergravity involving a torsion 3-form $\T$ as well as a flux 4-form $\F$. In dimension seven, we construct explicit families of compact solutions out of 3-Sasakian geometries, nearly parallel $\G_2$-geometries and on the homogeneous Aloff-Wallach space. The constraint $\F \cdot Ψ= 0$ defines a non empty subfamily of solutions. We investigate the constraint $\T \cdot Ψ= 0$, too, and show that it singles out a very special choice of numerical parameters in the Killing equation, which can also be justified geometrically.

math.DG↗
arXiv2003

On the holonomy of connections with skew-symmetric torsion

We investigate the holonomy group of a linear metric connection with skew-symmetric torsion. In case of the euclidian space and a constant torsion form this group is always semisimple. It does not preserve any non-degenerated 2-form or any spinor. Suitable integral formulas allow us to prove similar properties in case of a compact Riemannian manifold equipped with a metric connection of skew-symmetric torsion. On the Aloff-Wallach space N(1,1) we construct families of connections admitting parallel spinors. Furthermore, we investigate the geometry of these connections as well as the geometry of the underlying Riemannian metric. Finally, we prove that any 7-dimensional 3-Sasakian manifold admits $\mathbb{P}^2$-parameter families of linear metric connections and spinorial connections defined by 4-forms with parallel spinors.

math.DG↗
arXiv2003

The algebra of K-invariant vector fields on a symmetric space G/K

When $G$ is a complex reductive algebraic group and $G/K$ is a reductive symmetric space, the decomposition of $\C[G/K]$ as a $K$-module was obtained (in a non-constructive way) by Richardson, generalizing the celebrated result of Kostant-Rallis for the linearized problem (the harmonic decomposition of the isotropy representation). To obtain a constructive version of Richardson's results, this paper studies the infinite dimensional Lie algebra $\X(G/K)^K$ of $K$-invariant regular algebraic vector fields using the geometry of $G/K$ and the $K$-spherical representations of $G$. Assume $G$ is semisimple and simply-connected and let $\J$ be the algebra of $K$ biinvariant functions on $G$. An explicit set of free generators for the localization $ \X(G/K)^K_ψ$ is constructed for a suitable $ψ\in \J$. A commutator formula is obtained for $K$-invariant vector fields in terms of the corresponding $K$-covariant maps from $G$ to the isotropy representation of $G/K$. Vector fields on $G/K$ whose horizontal lifts to $G$ are tangent to the Cartan embedding of $G/K$ into $G$ are called \emph{flat}. When $G$ is simple and simply connected, it is shown that every element of $\X(G/K)^K$ is flat if and only if $K$ is semisimple. The gradients of the fundamental characters of $G$ are shown to generate all conjugation-invariant vector fields on $G$. These results are applied in the case of the adjoint representation of $G = \SL(2,\C)$ to construct a conjugation invariant differential operator whose kernel furnishes a harmonic decomposition of $\C[G]$.

math.RT↗
arXiv2002

Connections on naturally reductive spaces, their Dirac operator and homogeneous models in string theory

Given a reductive homogeneous space M=G/H endowed with a naturally reductive metric, we study the one-parameter family of connections joining the canonical and the Levi-Civita connection (t=0, 1/2). We show that the Dirac operator D^t corresponding to t=1/3 is the so-called ``cubic'' Dirac operator recently introduced by B. Kostant, and derive the formula for its square for any t, thus generalizing the classical Parthasarathy formula on symmetric spaces. Applications include the existence of a new G-invariant first order differential operator on spinors and an eigenvalue estimate for the first eigenvalue of D^{1/3}. This geometric situation can be used for constructing Riemannian manifolds which are Ricci flat and admit a parallel spinor with respect to some metric connection whose torsion T is a 3-form, the geometric model for the common sector of string theories. We present some results about solutions to the string equations and give a detailed discussion of some 5-dimensional example.

math.DG↗
arXiv1999

Invariante Differentialoperatoren und die Frobenius-Zerlegung einer G-Variet"at

Sei G eine zusammenhängende reduktive komplexe algebraische Gruppe, die auf einer glatten affinen komplexen Varietät M wirke, und bezeichne $\Diff[G]{M}$ die G-invarianten algebraischen Differentialoperatoren auf M. Zerlegt man den Koordinatenring $\Aff{\C}{M}$ in G-isotypische Komponenten, so zeigen wir, daß die hierbei auftretenden Vielfachheitenräume irreduzible $\Diff[G]{M}$-Moduln sind, zentralen Charakter haben und durch diesen eindeutig bestimmt sind. Anschließend beschreiben wir die analoge Zerlegung für reelle Formen und zeigen anhand einiger singulärer Beispiele, daß für nicht glatte Varietäten ähnliche Ergebnisse nicht zu erwarten sind.

math.DG↗