On Odd Laplace Operators

We consider odd Laplace operators acting on densities of various weights on an odd Poisson (= Schouten) manifold M. We prove that the case of densities of weight 1/2 (half-densities) is distinguished by the existence of a unique odd Laplace operator depending only on a point of an 'orbit space' of volume forms. This includes earlier results for the odd symplectic case, where there is a canonical odd Laplacian on half-densities. The space of volume forms on M is partitioned into orbits by the action of a natural groupoid whose arrows correspond to the solutions of the quantum Batalin–Vilkovisky equations. We compare this situation with that of Riemannian and even Poisson manifolds. In particular, we show that the square of an odd Laplace operator is a Poisson vector field defining an analog of Weinstein's 'modular class'.     

Instanton-like solutions in chiral models

General two-dimensional Euclidean chiral models of field theory are considered in detail. It is shown that in the case when the field takes its values in an arbitrary Kähler manifold the “duality equations” reduce to the Cauchy- Riemann equations on this manifold. For homogeneous manifolds the solutions of these equations do exist and are given by rational functions.     

Some remarks on -invariant Fedosov star products and quantum momentum mappings

In these notes we consider a slightly generalized Fedosov star product * on a symplectic manifold (M,ω), emanating from the fibrewise Weyl product and the triple (,Ω,s) consisting of a symplectic torsion free connection on M, a formal series ΩνZ²_dR(M)[[ν]] of closed two-forms on M, and a certain formal series s of symmetric contravariant tensor fields on M. We prove necessary and sufficient conditions for certain classical symmetries to become symmetries of the star product, only sufficient conditions having been published in special cases when this letter was written (note, however, the different proofs in [S. Gutt, J. Rawnsley, Natural star products on symplectic manifolds and quantum moment maps, 2003. math.SG/0304498 v1]). For a given symplectic vector field X on M, it is well known that (= is a sufficient condition for the Lie derivative to be a derivation of *. We prove that these conditions are in fact necessary ones, also providing a very simple proof for their being sufficient. Moreover, we prove a criterion that has first been presented by Gutt [S. Gutt, Star products and group actions, Contribution to the Bayrischzell Workshop, April 26–29, 2002] (see also [S. Gutt, J. Rawnsley, Natural star products on symplectic manifolds and quantum moment maps, 2003. math.SG/0304498 v1] for a different proof) and which specifies a necessary and sufficient condition for to be a quasi-inner derivation. The statement that this condition is a sufficient one dates back to Kravchenko [O. Kravchenko, Compos. Math. 123 (2000) 131]. Applying our results, we find necessary and sufficient criteria for a Fedosov star product to be -invariant and to admit a quantum Hamiltonian. Finally, supposing the existence of a quantum Hamiltonian, we present a cohomological condition on Ω that is equivalent to the existence of a quantum momentum mapping. In particular, our results show that the existence of a classical momentum mapping in general does not imply the existence of a quantum momentum mapping and thus give a negative answer to Xu’s question posed in [P. Xu, Commun. Math. Phys. 197 (1998) 167].     

Normal forms generalizing action-angle coordinates for Hamiltonian actions of Lie groups

Let (M, Ω) be a symplectic manifold on which a Lie group G acts by a Hamiltonian action. Under some restrictive assumptions, we show that there exists a symplectic diffeomorphism ψ of a G-invariant open neighbourhood U of a given G-orbit in M, onto an open subset ψ(U) of a vector bundle F ^*, with base space G. Explicit expressions are given for the symplectic 2-form, for the momentum map and for a Hamiltonian vector field whose Hamiltonian function is G-invariant, on the model symplectic manifold ψ(U).     

Geometrization of the classical field theory and its application in Yang-Mills field theory

The paper contains presentation of the finite-dimensional approach to the classical field theory based on the geometry of differential manifolds and forms. Geometrical construction of a symplectic structure and Poisson brackets on the space of initial conditions are realized. This space is not a manifold but it can be furnished with a structure of a differential space.The structural n+1 form for the Yang-Mills field theory is constructed. This gives automatically equations of motion and equations for initial conditions. The parasymplectic structure is computed. The directions of degeneration appear to be exactly the directions of infinitesimal gauge transformations. The Poisson bracket for Yang-Mills field theory is obtained.     

Correction to the low-energy scattering of monopoles

Following Manton, and Atiyah and Hitchin we consider approximating solutions to the dynamic Yang-Mills-Higgs equations by motions on the finite-dimensional space M_k of stable k-monopoles. For initial data transverse to M_k the approximate motion will not be geodesic motion but instead will be motion in an effective potential on M_k.     

The Characteristic Classes of Morita Equivalent Star Products on Symplectic Manifolds

In this paper we give a complete characterization of Morita equivalent star products on symplectic manifolds in terms of their characteristic classes: two star products ⋆ and ⋆' on (M,ω) are Morita equivalent if and only if there exists a symplectomorphism ψ\colon M M such that the relative class t(⋆, ψ^⋆(⋆')) is 2 π i-integral. For star products on cotangent bundles, we show that this integrality condition is related to Dirac's quantization condition for magnetic charges. Received: 19 July 2001 / Accepted: 23 January 2002     

Flows on Quaternionic-Kähler and Very Special Real Manifolds

BPS solutions of 5-dimensional supergravity correspond to certain gradient flows on the product M×N of a quaternionic-Kähler manifold M of negative scalar curvature and a very special real manifold N of dimension n0. Such gradient flows are generated by the ``energy function' f=P<sup>2</sup>, where P is a (bundle-valued) moment map associated to n+1 Killing vector fields on M. We calculate the Hessian of f at critical points and derive some properties of its spectrum for general quaternionic-Kähler manifolds. For the homogeneous quaternionic-Kähler manifolds we prove more specific results depending on the structure of the isotropy group. For example, we show that there always exists a Killing vector field vanishing at a point pM such that the Hessian of f at p has split signature. This generalizes results obtained recently for the complex hyperbolic plane (universal hypermultiplet) in the context of 5-dimensional supergravity. For symmetric quaternionic-Kähler manifolds we show the existence of non-degenerate local extrema of f, for appropriate Killing vector fields. On the other hand, for the non-symmetric homogeneous quaternionic-Kähler manifolds we find degenerate local minima. This work was supported by the priority programme ``String Theory'of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

On the number of solutions for the two-point boundary value problem on Riemannian manifolds

We study the solutions joining two fixed points of a time-independent dynamical system on a Riemannian manifold (M,g) from an enumerative point of view. We prove a finiteness result for solutions joining two points p,q∈M that are non-conjugate in a suitable sense, under the assumption that (M,g) admits a non-trivial convex function. We discuss in some detail the notion of conjugacy induced by a general dynamical system on a Riemannian manifold. Using techniques of infinite dimensional Morse theory on Hilbert manifolds we also prove that, under generic circumstances, the number of solutions joining two fixed points is odd. We present some examples where our theory applies.     

Nahm Transform for Periodic Monopoles¶and ?=2 Super Yang–Mills Theory

We study Bogomolny equations on ℝ²×?¹. Although they do not admit nontrivial finite-energy solutions, we show that there are interesting infinite-energy solutions with Higgs field growing logarithmically at infinity. We call these solutions periodic monopoles. Using the Nahm transform, we show that periodic monopoles are in one-to-one correspondence with solutions of Hitchin equations on a cylinder with Higgs field growing exponentially at infinity. The moduli spaces of periodic monopoles belong to a novel class of hyperk?hler manifolds and have applications to quantum gauge theory and string theory. For example, we show that the moduli space of k periodic monopoles provides the exact solution of ?=2 super Yang–Mills theory with gauge group SU(k) compactified on a circle of arbitrary radius. Received: 20 July 2000 / Accepted: 29 November 2000     

M theory and singularities of exceptional holonomy manifolds

M theory compactifications on G₂ holonomy manifolds, whilst supersymmetric, require singularities in order to obtain non-Abelian gauge groups, chiral fermions and other properties necessary for a realistic model of particle physics. We review recent progress in understanding the physics of such singularities. Our main aim is to describe the techniques which have been used to develop our understanding of M theory physics near these singularities. In parallel, we also describe similar sorts of singularities in Spin(7) holonomy manifolds which correspond to the properties of three dimensional field theories. As an application, we review how various aspects of strongly coupled gauge theories, such as confinement, mass gap and non-perturbative phase transitions may be given a simple explanation in M theory.     

Solutions of Euler-Lagrange equations for self-interacting field of linear frames on product manifold of group space

We investigate a model of self-interacting field of linear frames on the product manifold M × G, where G is a semisimple Lie group acting freely and transitively on a manifold M. We find two families of solutions of the Euler-Lagrange equations for the field of frames.     

On long-wave sound scattering by a Rankine vortex: Non-resonant and resonant cases

The well-known two-dimensional problem of sound scattering by a Rankine vortex at small Mach number M is considered. Despite its long history, the solutions obtained by many authors still are not free from serious objections. The common approach to the problem consists in the transformation of governing equations to the d’Alembert equation with right-hand part. It was recently shown [I.V. Belyaev, V.F. Kopiev, On the problem formulation of sound scattering by cylindrical vortex, Acoustical Physics 54(5) (2008) 603-614] that due to the slow decay of the mean velocity field at infinity the convective equation with nonuniform coefficients instead of the d’Alembert equation should be considered, and the incident wave should be excited by a point source placed at a large but finite distance from the vortex instead of specifying an incident plane wave (which is not a solution of the governing equations).Here we use the new formulation of Belyaev and Kopiev to obtain the correct solution for the problem of non-resonant sound scattering, to second order in Mach number M. The partial harmonic expansion approach and the method of matched asymptotic expansions are employed. The scattered field in the region far outside the vortex is determined as the solution of the convective wave equation, and van Dyke's matching principle is used to match the fields inside and outside the vortical region. Finally, resonant scattering is also considered; an O(M²) result is found that unifies earlier solutions in the literature. These problems are considered for the first time.     

Locally Conformal Dirac Structures and Infinitesimal Automorphisms

We study the main properties of locally conformal Dirac bundles, which include Dirac structures on a manifold and locally conformal symplectic manifolds. It is proven that certain locally conformal Dirac bundles induce Jacobi structures on quotient manifolds. Furthermore we show that, given a locally conformal Dirac bundle over a smooth manifold M, there is a Lie homomorphism between a subalgebra of the Lie algebra of infinitesimal automorphisms and the Lie algebra of admissible functions. We also show that Dirac manifolds can be obtained from locally conformal Dirac bundles by using an appropriate covering map. Finally, we extend locally conformal Dirac bundles to the context of Lie algebroids.     

Deformations of Coisotropic Submanifolds for Fibrewise Entire Poisson Structures

We show that deformations of a coisotropic submanifold inside a fibrewise entire Poisson manifold are controlled by the L _∞-algebra introduced by Oh–Park (for symplectic manifolds) and Cattaneo–Felder. In the symplectic case, we recover results previously obtained by Oh–Park. Moreover we consider the extended deformation problem and prove its obstructedness.     

Large N classical equations and their quantum significance

We show that the large N limits of a wide variety of vector models may be obtained by studying the classical equations of motion. In particular, we derive a constraint which allows us to choose solutions of the classical field equations which directly give the correlation functions of N → ∞ quantum system. Models studied here include quantum mechanics on a sphere, two-dimensional linear and nonlinear O(N) field theories and the CP^N model.     

An effective potential for classical Yang-Mills fields as outline for bifurcation on gauge orbit space

Classical Yang-Mills (Y.M.) equations with static external sources are formulated as a Hamiltonian system with gauge symmetry in A₀ = 0 gauge. Using the concept of a “momentum mapping” (J. Marsden and A. Weinstein, Rep. Math. Phys.5 (1974), 121) on symplectic manifolds with symmetry, an analogue of centrifugal potential of a mass point in a spherically symmetric potential is derived. This gives rise to an effective potentialV_eff, whose critical points are rigorously proved to be in one-to-one correspondence with static Y.M. solutions. V_eff additionally depends on the prescribed external source ?, which is as a constant of motion analogous to angular moment of the mass point. Thus bifurcation of static solutions is caused by bifurcation of critical points of V_eff under variation of the external parameter ?. Some closing remarks on dynamics and stability on gauge orbit space are added.     

On Poisson geometries related to noncommutative emergent gravity

We study metric-compatible Poisson structures in the semi-classical limit of noncommutative emergent gravity. Space–time is realized as quantized symplectic submanifold embedded in R^D${\mathbb{R}}^D$, whose effective metric depends on the embedding as well as on the Poisson structure. We study solutions of the equations of motion for the Poisson structure, focusing on a natural class of solutions such that the effective metric coincides with the embedding metric. This leads to i$i$-(anti-) self-dual complexified Poisson structures in four space–time dimensions with Lorentzian signature. Solutions on manifolds with conformally flat metric are obtained and tools are developed which allow to systematically re-derive previous results, e.g. for the Schwarzschild metric. It turns out that the effective gauge coupling is related to the symplectic volume density, and may vary significantly over space–time. To avoid this problem, we consider in a second part space–time manifolds with compactified extra dimensions and split noncommutativity, where solutions with constant gauge coupling are obtained for several physically relevant geometries.     

Vlasov equation on a symplectic leaf

The infinite dimensional phase space of the Vlasov equation is foliated by symplectic manifolds (leaves) which are invariant under the dynamics. By adopting a Lie transform representation, exp{W, }, for near-identity canonical transformations we obtain a local coordinate system on a leaf. The evolution equation defined by restricting the Vlasov equation to the leaf is approximately represented by the evolution of W. We derive the equation for ∂_tW and show that it is hamiltonian relative to the nondegenerate Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau symplectic structure.