Special Kähler Manifolds

We give an intrinsic definition of the special geometry which arises in global N= 2 supersymmetry in four dimensions. The base of an algebraic integrable system exhibits this geometry, and with an integrality hypothesis any special K?hler manifold is so related to an integrable system. The cotangent bundle of a special K?hler manifold carries a hyperk?hler metric. We also define special geometry in supergravity in terms of the special geometry in global supersymmetry. Received: 5 December 1997 / Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Quaternionic Kähler metrics associated with special Kähler manifolds

We give an explicit formula for the quaternionic Kähler metrics obtained by the HK/QK correspondence. As an application, we give a new proof of the fact that the Ferrara–Sabharwal metric as well as its one-loop deformation is quaternionic Kähler. A similar explicit formula is given for the analogous (K/K) correspondence between Kähler manifolds endowed with a Hamiltonian Killing vector field. As an example, we apply this formula in the case of an arbitrary conical Kähler manifold.     

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.     

Perturbative Corrections to Kähler Moduli Spaces

Communications in Mathematical Physics - We propose a general formula for perturbative-in-α′ corrections to the Kähler potential on the quantum Kähler moduli space of...     

Pseudo-Hyperkähler Geometry and Generalized Kähler Geometry

We discuss the conditions for additional supersymmetry and twisted super-symmetry in N = (2, 2) supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models described by one left and one right semi-chiral superfield and carrying a pair of non-commuting complex structures. Focus is on linear non-manifest transformations of these fields that have an algebra that closes off-shell. We find that additional linear supersymmetry has no interesting solution, whereas additional linear twisted supersymmetry has solutions with interesting geometrical properties. We solve the conditions for invariance of the action and show that these solutions correspond to a bi-hermitian metric of signature (2, 2) and a pseudo-hyperkähler geometry of the target space.     

Conification of Kähler and Hyper-Kähler Manifolds

Given a Kähler manifold M endowed with a Hamiltonian Killing vector field Z, we construct a conical Kähler manifold ${\hat{M}}$ such that M is recovered as a Kähler quotient of ${\hat{M}}$ . Similarly, given a hyper-Kähler manifold (M, g, J ₁, J ₂, J ₃) endowed with a Killing vector field Z, Hamiltonian with respect to the Kähler form of J ₁ and satisfying ${\mathcal{L}_ZJ_2 = -2J_3}$ , we construct a hyper-Kähler cone ${\hat{M}}$ such that M is a certain hyper-Kähler quotient of ${\hat{M}}$ . In this way, we recover a theorem by Haydys. Our work is motivated by the problem of relating the supergravity c-map to the rigid c-map. We show that any hyper-Kähler manifold in the image of the c-map admits a Killing vector field with the above properties. Therefore, it gives rise to a hyper-Kähler cone, which in turn defines a quaternionic Kähler manifold. Our results for the signature of the metric and the sign of the scalar curvature are consistent with what we know about the supergravity c-map.     

On the Hyperkähler/Quaternion Kähler Correspondence

A hyperkähler manifold with a circle action fixing just one complex structure admits a natural hyperholomorphic line bundle. This observation forms the basis for the construction of a corresponding quaternionic Kähler manifold in the work of A.Haydys. In this paper the corresponding holomorphic line bundle on twistor space is described and many examples computed, including monopole and Higgs bundle moduli spaces. Finally a twistor version of the hyperkähler/quaternion Kähler correspondence is established.     

From G2 geometry to quaternionic Kähler metrics

We review a construction of quaternionic Kähler metrics starting from a rank 2 distribution in 5 dimensions. We relate it to a more general theory about Einstein deformations of symmetric metrics. Finally we ask some questions on complete metrics and relate them to a Zoll phenomenon.     

On Certain Kähler Quotients of Quaternionic Kähler Manifolds

We prove that, given a certain isometric action of a two-dimensional Abelian group A on a quaternionic Kähler manifold M which preserves a submanifold N ? M, the quotient M′ = N/A has a natural Kähler structure. We verify that the assumptions on the group action and on the submanifold N ? M are satisfied for a large class of examples obtained from the supergravity c-map. In particular, we find that all quaternionic Kähler manifolds M in the image of the c-map admit an integrable complex structure compatible with the quaternionic structure, such that N ? M is a complex submanifold. Finally, we discuss how the existence of the Kähler structure on M′ is required by the consistency of spontaneous ${\mathcal{N} = 2}$ to ${\mathcal{N} = 1}$ supersymmetry breaking.     

Generalized Kähler Geometry

Generalized Kähler geometry is the natural analogue of Kähler geometry, in the context of generalized complex geometry. Just as we may require a complex structure to be compatible with a Riemannian metric in a way which gives rise to a symplectic form, we may require a generalized complex structure to be compatible with a metric so that it defines a second generalized complex structure. We prove that generalized Kähler geometry is equivalent to the bi-Hermitian geometry on the target of a 2-dimensional sigma model with (2, 2) supersymmetry. We also prove the existence of natural holomorphic Courant algebroids for each of the underlying complex structures, and that these split into a sum of transverse holomorphic Dirac structures. Finally, we explore the analogy between pre-quantum line bundles and gerbes in the context of generalized Kähler geometry.     

Generalized Pseudo-Kähler Structures

In this paper we consider pseudo-bihermitian structures – pairs of complex structures compatible with a pseudo-Riemannian metric. We establish relations of these structures with generalized (pseudo-) Kähler geometry and holomorphic Poisson structures similar to that in the positive definite case. We provide a list of compact complex surfaces which could admit pseudo-bihermitian structures and give examples of such structures on some of them. We also consider a naturally defined null plane distribution on a generalized pseudo-Kähler 4-manifold and show that under a mild restriction it determines an Engel structure.     

Almost-Kähler Deformation Quantization

We use a natural affine connection with nontrivial torsion on an arbitrary almost-Kähler manifold which respects the almost-Kähler structure in order to construct a Fedosov-type deformation quantization on this manifold.     

Kähler spinning particles

We construct the U(N) spinning particle theories, which describe particles moving on Kähler spaces. These particles have the same relation to the N = 2 string as usual spinning particles have to the NSR string. We find the restrictions on the target space of the theories coming from supersymmetry and from global anomalies. Finally, we show that the partition functions of the theories agree with what is expected from their spectra, unlike that of the N = 2 string in which there is an anomalous dependence on the proper time.