arXiv subjects

Maciej Dunajski

Publications and source records attributed to Maciej Dunajski.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Vortex Motion on Surfaces of Small Curvature

We consider a single Abelian Higgs vortex on a surface Σ whose Gaussian curvature K is small relative to the size of the vortex, and analyse vortex motion by using geodesics on the moduli space of static solutions. The moduli space is Σ with a modified metric, and we propose that this metric has a universal expansion, in terms of K and its derivatives, around the initial metric on Σ. Using an integral expression for the Kähler potential on the moduli space, we calculate the leading coefficients of this expansion numerically, and find some evidence for their universality. The expansion agrees to first order with the metric resulting from the Ricci flow starting from the initial metric on Σ, but differs at higher order. We compare the vortex motion with the motion of a point particle along geodesics of Σ. Relative to a particle geodesic, the vortex experiences an additional force, which to leading order is proportional to the gradient of K. This force is analogous to the self-force on bodies of finite size that occurs in gravitational motion.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Twistor geometry of a pair of second order ODEs

We discuss the twistor correspondence between path geometries in three dimensions with vanishing Wilczynski invariants and anti-self-dual conformal structures of signature $(2, 2)$. We show how to reconstruct a system of ODEs with vanishing invariants for a given conformal structure, highlighting the Ricci-flat case in particular. Using this framework, we give a new derivation of the Wilczynski invariants for a system of ODEs whose solution space is endowed with a conformal structure. We explain how to reconstruct the conformal structure directly from the integral curves, and present new examples of systems of ODEs with point symmetry algebra of dimension four and greater which give rise to anti--self--dual structures with conformal symmetry algebra of the same dimension. Some of these examples are $(2, 2)$ analogues of plane wave space--times in General Relativity. Finally we discuss a variational principle for twistor curves arising from the Finsler structures with scalar flag curvature.

math.DG↗

arXiv2012

Skyrmions from gravitational instantons

We propose a construction of Skyrme fields from holonomy of the spin connection of gravitational instantons. The procedure is implemented for Atiyah-Hitchin and Taub-NUT instantons. The skyrmion resulting from the Taub-NUT is given explicitly on the space of orbits of a left translation inside the whole isometry group. The domain of the Taub-NUT skyrmion is a trivial circle bundle over the Poincare disc. The position of the skyrmion depends on the Taub-NUT mass parameter, and its topological charge is equal to two.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

SU(2) solutions to self-duality equations in eight dimensions

We consider the octonionic self-duality equations on eight-dimensional manifolds of the form $M_8=M_4\times \R^4$, where $M_4$ is a hyper-Kähler four-manifold. We construct explicit solutions to these equations and their symmetry reductions to the non-abelian Seiberg-Witten equations on $M_4$ in the case when the gauge group is SU(2). These solutions are singular for flat and Eguchi-Hanson backgrounds. For $M_4=\R\times {\mathcal G}$ with a cohomogeneity one hyper-Kähler metric, where ${\mathcal G}$ is a nilpotent (Bianchi II) Lie group, we find a solution which is singular only on a single-sided domain wall. This gives rise to a regular solution of the non-abelian Seiberg-Witten equations on a four-dimensional nilpotent Lie group which carries a regular conformally hyper-Kähler metric.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Abelian vortices from Sinh--Gordon and Tzitzeica equations

It is shown that both the sinh--Gordon equation and the elliptic Tzitzeica equation can be interpreted as the Taubes equation for Abelian vortices on a CMC surface embedded in $\R^{2, 1}$, or on a surface conformally related to a hyperbolic affine sphere in $\R^3$. In both cases the Higgs field and the U(1) vortex connection are constructed directly from the Riemannian data of the surface corresponding to the sinh--Gordon or the Tzitzeica equation. Radially symmetric solutions lead to vortices with a topological charge equal to one, and the connection formulae for the resulting third Painlevé transcendents are used to compute explicit values for the strength of the vortices.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

GL(2, R) structures, G_2 geometry and twistor theory

A GL(2, R) structure on an (n+1)-dimensional manifold is a smooth pointwise identification of tangent vectors with polynomials in two variables homogeneous of degree n. This, for even n=2k, defines a conformal structure of signature (k, k+1) by specifying the null vectors to be the polynomials with vanishing quadratic invariant. We focus on the case n=6 and show that the resulting conformal structure in seven dimensions is compatible with a conformal G_2 structure or its non-compact analogue. If a GL(2, R) structure arises on a moduli space of rational curves on a surface with self-intersection number 6, then certain components of the intrinsic torsion of the G_2 structure vanish. We give examples of simple 7th order ODEs whose solution curves are rational and find the corresponding G_2 structures. In particular we show that Bryant's weak G_2 holonomy metric on the homology seven-sphere SO(5)/SO(3) is the unique weak G_2 metric arising from a rational curve.

math.DG↗

arXiv2012

Co--calibrated $G_2$ structure from cuspidal cubics

We establish a twistor correspondence between a cuspidal cubic curve in a complex projective plane, and a co-calibrated homogeneous $G_2$ structure on the seven--dimensional parameter space of such cubics. Imposing the Riemannian reality conditions leads to an explicit co-calibrated $G_2$ structure on $SU(2, 1)/U(1)$. This is an example of an SO(3) structure in seven dimensions. Cuspidal cubics and their higher degree analogues with constant projective curvature are characterised as integral curves of 7th order ODEs. Projective orbits of such curves are shown to be analytic continuations of Aloff--Wallach manifolds, and it is shown that only cubics lift to a complete family of contact rational curves in a projectivised cotangent bundle to a projective plane.

math.DG↗

arXiv2011

Scalar--flat Kähler metrics with conformal Bianchi V symmetry

We provide an affirmative answer to a question posed by Tod \cite{Tod:1995b}, and construct all four-dimensional Kahler metrics with vanishing scalar curvature which are invariant under the conformal action of Bianchi V group. The construction is based on the combination of twistor theory and the isomonodromic problem with two double poles. The resulting metrics are non-diagonal in the left-invariant basis and are explicitly given in terms of Bessel functions and their integrals. We also make a connection with the LeBrun ansatz, and characterise the associated solutions of the SU(\infty) Toda equation by the existence a non-abelian two-dimensional group of point symmetries.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Optical Metrics and Projective Equivalence

Trajectories of light rays in a static spacetime are described by unparametrised geodesics of the Riemannian optical metric associated with the Lorentzian spacetime metric. We investigate the uniqueness of this structure and demonstrate that two different observers, moving relative to one another, who both see the universe as static may determine the geometry of the light rays differently. More specifically, we classify Lorentzian metrics admitting more than one hyper--surface orthogonal time--like Killing vector and analyze the projective equivalence of the resulting optical metrics. These metrics are shown to be projectively equivalent up to diffeomorphism if the static Killing vectors generate a group $SL(2, \R)$, but not projectively equivalent in general. We also consider the cosmological $C$--metrics in Einstein--Maxwell theory and demonstrate that optical metrics corresponding to different values of the cosmological constant are projectively equivalent.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

On the 7th order ODE with submaximal symmetry

We find a general solution to the unique 7th order ODE admitting ten dimensional group of contact symmetries. The integral curves of this ODE are rational contact curves in $\PP^3$ which give rise to rational plane curves of degree six. The moduli space of these curves is a real form of the homogeneous space $Sp(4)/SL(2)$.

math.DG↗

arXiv2010

Cosmological Einstein-Maxwell Instantons and Euclidean Supersymmetry: Anti-Self-Dual Solutions

We classify super-symmetric solutions of the minimal $N=2$ gauged Euclidean supergravity in four dimensions. The solutions with anti-self-dual Maxwell field give rise to anti-self-dual Einstein metrics given in terms of solutions to the $SU(\infty)$ Toda equation and more general three-dimensional Einstein--Weyl structures. Euclidean Kastor--Traschen metrics are also characterised by the existence of a certain super covariantly constant spinor.

hep-th↗

arXiv2010

Anti-Self-Dual Conformal Structures in Neutral Signature

We review the subject of four dimensional anti-self-dual conformal structures with signature (+ + - -). Both local and global questions are discussed. Most of the material is well known in the literature and we present it in a way which underlines the connection with integrable systems. Some of the results - e.g. the Lax pair characterisation of the scalar-flat Kahler condition and a twistor construction of a conformal structure with twisting null Killing vector - are new.

math.DG↗

arXiv2010

Metrisability of two-dimensional projective structures

We carry out the programme of R. Liouville \cite{Liouville} to construct an explicit local obstruction to the existence of a Levi--Civita connection within a given projective structure $[Γ]$ on a surface. The obstruction is of order 5 in the components of a connection in a projective class. It can be expressed as a point invariant for a second order ODE whose integral curves are the geodesics of $[Γ]$ or as a weighted scalar projective invariant of the projective class. If the obstruction vanishes we find the sufficient conditions for the existence of a metric in the real analytic case. In the generic case they are expressed by the vanishing of two invariants of order 6 in the connection. In degenerate cases the sufficient obstruction is of order at most 8.

math.DG↗

arXiv2009

Four--Dimensional Metrics Conformal to Kahler

We derive some necessary conditions on a Riemannian metric $(M, g)$ in four dimensions for it to be locally conformal to Kähler. If the conformal curvature is non anti--self--dual, the self--dual Weyl spinor must be of algebraic type $D$ and satisfy a simple first order conformally invariant condition which is necessary and sufficient for the existence of a Kähler metric in the conformal class. In the anti--self--dual case we establish a one to one correspondence between Kähler metrics in the conformal class and non--zero parallel sections of a certain connection on a natural rank ten vector bundle over $M$. We use this characterisation to provide examples of ASD metrics which are not conformal to Kähler. We establish a link between the `conformal to Kähler condition' in dimension four and the metrisability of projective structures in dimension two. A projective structure on a surface $U$ is metrisable if and only if the induced (2, 2) conformal structure on $M=TU$ admits a Kähler metric or a para-Kähler metric.

math.DG↗

arXiv2009

Strominger--Yau--Zaslow geometry, Affine Spheres and Painlevé III

We give a gauge invariant characterisation of the elliptic affine sphere equation and the closely related Tzitzéica equation as reductions of real forms of $SL(3, \C)$ anti--self--dual Yang--Mills equations by two translations, or equivalently as a special case of the Hitchin equation. We use the Loftin--Yau--Zaslow construction to give an explicit expression for a six--real dimensional semi--flat Calabi--Yau metric in terms of a solution to the affine-sphere equation and show how a subclass of such metrics arises from 3rd Painlevé transcendents.

math.DG↗

arXiv2009

Twistor Theory and Differential Equations

This is an elementary and self--contained review of twistor theory as a geometric tool for solving non-linear differential equations. Solutions to soliton equations like KdV, Tzitzeica, integrable chiral model, BPS monopole or Sine-Gordon arise from holomorphic vector bundles over $T\CP^1$. A different framework is provided for the dispersionless analogues of soliton equations, like dispersionless KP or $SU(\infty)$ Toda system in 2+1 dimensions. Their solutions correspond to deformations of (parts of) $T\CP^1$, and ultimately to Einstein--Weyl curved geometries generalising the flat Minkowski space. A number of exercises is included and the necessary facts about vector bundles over the Riemann sphere are summarised in the Appendix.

hep-th↗

arXiv2008

Cosmic Jerk, Snap and Beyond

We clarify the procedure for expressing the Friedmann equation in terms of directly measurable cosmological scalars constructed out of higher derivatives of the scale factor. We carry out this procedure for pure dust, Chaplygin gas and generalised Chaplygin gas energy-momentum tensors. In each case it leads to a constraint on the scalars thus giving rise to a test of General Relativity. We also discuss a formulation of the Friedmann equation as unparametrised geodesic motion and its connection with the Lagrangian treatment of perfect fluids coupled to gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Interpolating Dispersionless Integrable System

We introduce a dispersionless integrable system which interpolates between the dispersionless Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation and the hyper-CR equation. The interpolating system arises as a symmetry reduction of the anti--self--dual Einstein equations in (2, 2) signature by a conformal Killing vector whose self--dual derivative is null. It also arises as a special case of the Manakov-Santini integrable system. We discuss the corresponding Einstein--Weyl structures.

nlin.SI↗