Orientifolds and slumps in G2 and Spin(7) metrics

We discuss some new metrics of special holonomy, and their roles in string theory and M-theory. First we consider Spin(7) metrics denoted by , which are complete on a complex line bundle over . The principal orbits are S⁷, described as a triaxially squashed S³ bundle over S⁴. The behaviour in the S³ directions is similar to that in the Atiyah–Hitchin metric, and we show how this leads to an M-theory interpretation with orientifold D6-branes wrapped over S⁴. We then consider new G₂ metrics which we denote by , which are complete on an bundle over T^1,1, with principal orbits that are S³×S³. We study the metrics using numerical methods, and we find that they have the remarkable property of admitting a U(1) Killing vector whose length is nowhere zero or infinite. This allows one to make an everywhere non-singular reduction of an M-theory solution to give a solution of the type IIA theory. The solution has two non-trivial S² cycles, and both carry magnetic charge with respect to the R–R vector field. We also discuss some four-dimensional hyper-Kähler metrics described recently by Cherkis and Kapustin, following earlier work by Kronheimer. We show that in certain cases these metrics, whose explicit form is known only asymptotically, can be related to metrics characterised by solutions of the su(∞) Toda equation, which can provide a way of studying their interior structure.     

Ricci-Flat Metrics,Harmonic Forms and Brane Resolutions

 We discuss the geometry and topology of the complete, non-compact, Ricci-flat Stenzel metric, on the tangent bundle of S ⁿ⁺¹ . We obtain explicit results for all the metrics, and show how they can be obtained from first-order equations derivable from a superpotential. We then provide an explicit construction for the harmonic self-dual (p, q)-forms in the middle dimension p+q=(n+1) for the Stenzel metrics in 2(n+1) dimensions. Only the (p, p)-forms are L ² -normalisable, while for (p, q)-forms the degree of divergence grows with . We also construct a set of Ricci-flat metrics whose level surfaces are U(1) bundles over a product of N Einstein-K?hler manifolds, and we construct examples of harmonic forms there. As an application, we construct new examples of deformed supersymmetric non-singular M2-branes with such 8-dimensional transverse Ricci-flat spaces. We show explicitly that the fractional D3-branes on the 6-dimensional Stenzel metric found by Klebanov and Strassler is supported by a pure (2,1)-form, and thus it is supersymmetric, while the example of Pando Zayas-Tseytlin is supported by a mixture of (1,2) and (2,1) forms. We comment on the implications for the corresponding dual field theories of our resolved brane solutions. Received: 22 February 2001 / Accepted: 16 August 2002 Published online: 7 November 2002     

Toric <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spin</Emphasis>(7) Holonomy Spaces from Gravitational Instantons and Other Examples

Non-compact G ₂ holonomy metrics that arise from a T ² bundle over a hyper-Kähler space are constructed. These are one parameter deformations of certain metrics studied by Gibbons, Lü, Pope and Stelle in [1]. Seven-dimensional spaces with G ₂ holonomy fibered over the Taub-Nut and the Eguchi-Hanson gravitational instantons are found, together with other examples. By using the Apostolov-Salamon theorem [2], we construct a new example that, still being a T ² bundle over hyper-Kähler, represents a non-trivial two parameter deformation of the metrics studied in [1]. We then review the Spin(7) metrics arising from a T ³ bundle over a hyper-Kähler and we find a two parameter deformation of such spaces as well. We show that if the hyper-Kähler base satisfies certain properties, a non-trivial three parameter deformation is also possible. The relation between these spaces with half-flat and almost G ₂ holonomy structures is briefly discussed.     

The extended phase space of the BRS approach

The origin of the classical BRS symmetry is discussed for the case of a first class constrained system consisting of a 2n-dimensional phase spaceS with free action of a Lie gauge groupG of dimensionm. The extended phase spaceS _ext of the Fradkin-Vilkovisky approach is identified with a globally trivial vector bundle overS with fibreL*(G)L(G), whereL(G) is the Lie algebra ofG andL*(G) its dual. It is shown that the structure group of the frame bundle of the supermanifoldS _ext is the orthosymplectic group OSp(m,m; 2n), which is the natural invariance group of the super Poisson bracket structure on the function spaceC (S _ext). The action of the BRS operator is analyzed for the caseS=R ²ⁿ with constraints given by pure momenta. The breaking of the osp(m,m; 2n)-invariance down to sp(2n–2m) occurs via an intermediate osp(m; 2n–m). Starting from a (2n+2m)-dimensional system with orthosymplectic invariance, different choices for the BRS operator correspond to choosing different 2n-dimensional constraint supermanifolds inS _ext, which in general characterize different constrained systems. There is a whole family of physically equivalent BRS operators which can be used to describe a particular constrained system.     

Effective action in higher derivative (Super)gravities

'The one-loop effective action (EA) with an accuracy up to linear curvature terms ind=4R ²-gravity, conformal gravity, andN=1,d=4 conformal supergravity on the backgroundR ₄×T_4–k,k=1, 2, 3 is calculated. (Here,R _k is thek-dimensional curved space, T_n is then-dimensional torus). The one-loop EA in multidimensionalR ²-gravity and ind=10 conformal supergravity on the backgroundR ₄ ×T _d–4 is also obtained. The mechanism of inducing the Einstein gravity from the EA of considered theories of higher derivative (super)gravity is presented.We are grateful to I. L. Bukhbinder for the numerous discussions of considered questions.     

A multidimensional radiation-filled universe

We consider a radiation-filled universe which possesses the product symmetry: (N-dimensional space of constant curvature) × (n sphere). The solutions of all the types, within this class, to the classical field equations are given. In the case of theN-dimensional space of zero or negative curvature constant, the solutions exhibit a tendency to approach asymptotically the Kasner-like state in which theN-dimensional subspace expands while then sphere shrinks to the final singularity. Our conclusions based on the phase-diagram method are in agreement with the results concerning the ^N × S ⁿ universe calculated by Sahdev with the help of numerical methods.     

Effective action in multidimensional (Super)gravities

In the present paper we have obtained unique effective action ford=5 gravity on the backgroundM ₄×s ₁, whereM ₄ is the Minkowski space,S ₁ is a one-sphere. The effective action is calculated forN=1d=11 supergravity on the backgroundR _n xT _11–n whereR _n is then-dimensional curved space, T_d is thed-dimensional torus. A mechanism of inducing the Einstein gravity with zero--term is proposed.We thank A. O. Barvinsky, E. S. Fradkin, I. V. Tyutin and A. A. Tseytlin for helpful discussions. We are grateful to L. G. Fonova for technical assistance.     

A symmetric family of Yang-Mills fields

We examine a family of finite energySO(3) Yang-Mills connections overS ⁴, indexed by two real parameters. This family includes both smooth connections (when both parameters are odd integers), and connections with a holonomy singularity around 1 or 2 copies ofRP ². These singular YM connections interpolate between the smooth solutions. Depending on the parameters, the curvature may be self-dual, anti-self-dual, or neither. For the (anti)self-dual connections, we compute the formal dimension of the moduli space. For the non-self-dual connections we examine the second variation of the Yang-Mills functional, and count the negative and zero eigenvalues. Each component of the non-self-dual moduli space appears to consist only of conformal copies of a single solution.This work was partially supported by an NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">SU</Emphasis>(3)-Instantons and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spin</Emphasis>(7)-Heterotic String Solitons

Necessary and sufficient conditions to the existence of a hermitian connection with totally skew-symmetric torsion and holonomy contained in SU(3) are given. A formula for the Riemannian scalar curvature is obtained. Non-compact solution to the supergravity-type I equations of motion with non-zero flux and non-constant dilaton is found in dimension 6. Non-conformally flat non-compact solutions to the supergravity-type I equations of motion with non-zero flux and non-constant dilaton are found in dimensions 7 and 8. A Riemannian metric with holonomy contained in G₂ arises from our considerations and Hitchin’s flow equations, which seems to be new. Compact examples of SU(3),G₂ and Spin(7) instanton satisfying the anomaly cancellation conditions are presented.     

Flat connections on a punctured sphere and geodesic polygons in a Lie group

Let G be a compact connected Lie group and X denote the complement of n distinct points of the sphere S². The space of isomorphism classes of flat G connections on X with fixed conjugacy class of holonomy around each of n punctures has a natural symplectic structure. This space is related to the space of geodesic n-gons in G. The space of geodesic polygons in G has a natural 2-form. It is shown that this 2-form coincides with symplectic form on the space of isomorphism classes of flat G-connections on X satisfying holonomy condition at the punctures.     

Effective Action in Multidimensional (Super)Gravities and Spontaneous Compactification (Quantum Aspects of Kaluza-Klein Theories)

The review of modern status of problem of quantum effects in Kaluza-Klein theories is given. The effective action (EA) in multidimensional (super)gravities (SG's) on the compactified background is investigated. The standard gauge dependent EA in d=5 Einstein gravity and d=5 R²-gravity on the background R₄ × S₁, where R₄ is 4-dimensional space, S₁ is one-dimensional sphere is calculated. Gauge and parametrization independent Vilcovisky-De Witt EA in d=5 Einstein gravity and d=5 R²-gravity on the background R₄×S₁ at zero and non-zero temperature is obtained. We have found that there are no physically acceptable self-consistent solutions of the form R₄×S₁ at the one-loop level in d=5 Einstein gravity. We calculated also EA for arbitrary multidimensional SG on the background R₄×T_d-n where T_d is d-dimensional torus as expansion on the curvature and its derivatives. The mechanizm of induced of four-dimensional gravity with zero Λ-term is proposed. The Vilcovisky-De Witt EA in d=5 SG's on the background R₄×S₁ at non-zero temperature is obtained. The three gauge parameter dependent off-shell EA in N=2, d=5 gauged SG on R₄⁰×S₁ where R₄⁰ is flat four-dimensional space is calculated. The expression for vacuum energy for bosonic string with torus compactification is presented. Vacuum energy for superstrings with supersymmetry broken as the result of choice of boundary conditions on background R₄×T₆ is calculated.     

Octonionic Yang–Mills instanton on quaternionic line bundle of Spin(7) holonomy

The total space of the spinor bundle on the four-dimensional sphere S⁴ is a quaternionic line bundle that admits a metric of Spin(7) holonomy. We consider octonionic Yang–Mills instanton on this eight-dimensional gravitational instanton. This is a higher dimensional generalization of (anti-) self-dual instanton on the Eguchi-Hanson space. We propose an ansatz for Spin(7) Yang–Mills field and derive a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations. The solutions are classified according to the asymptotic behavior at infinity. We give a complete solution when the gauge group is reduced to a product of SU(2) subalgebras in Spin(7). The existence of more general Spin(7) valued solutions can be seen by making an asymptotic expansion.     

Compactifications ofd=11 supergravity on Kähler manifolds

We consider compactifications of eleven-dimensional supergravity to five and three spacetime dimensions, on internal spacesK ₆ andK ₂×K ₆, whereK _n denotes ann-dimensional Kähler manifold. The compactifications to five dimensions yield no surviving spacetime supersymmetries. However, we find compactifications to three dimensions onS ²×K ₆ andT ²×K ₆ whereK ₆ is Ricci-flat and Kähler (a Calabi-Yau space) withN=4 supersymmetry. We also discuss the massless spectrum.Research supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy under grant No. DE-FG03-84ER40168     

Gauge theory in Witten's approach to the generation problem

In Witten's topological theory of the generation problem, gauge groups are identified with theE ₈ centraliser of the holonomy group of the internal manifold. Here we show that this amounts to interpreting gauge groups as generalised symmetry groups of the (internal) Levi-Civitá connection. We then give techniques for computing centralisers in exceptional groups, taking into account the fact that holonomy groups are frequently disconnected. These techniques allow us to deal with compact locally irreducible Ricci-flat Riemannian manifolds of all holonomy types and dimensions.     

Gauge dependence of the effective action in multidimensional theories of supergravity

Using the 5-dimensional supergravity as an example, the problem of gauge dependence of the effective action (EA) of multidimensional SUGRA's is discussed. The standard and the Vikovisky-De Witt EA's are computed up to the terms linear in curvature for d=5, N=2, 4, 6, 8 SUGRA's on the R₄,×S₁ background, where R₄, is a 4-dimensional curved space, and S₁ a 1-dimensional sphere. The standard EA obtained in d=5, N= 2 gauge SUGRA on the R ₄ ⁰ ×S₁, where R ₄ ⁰ is a flat 4-dimensional space, depends on three gauge parameters. The gauge-invariant Vilkovsky-De Witt EA is computed for a d=5 SUGRA with broken symmetry on the r ₄ ⁰ ×S₁ background, where R ₄ ⁰ is a 4-dimensional space with nonzero temperature.Translated from Izvestiya Vyssihkh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 53–59, May, 1989.I am grateful to I. L. Bukhbinder, I. V. Tyutin, and A. A. Tseitlin for many useful discussions.     

Real Kasner and related complex “windmill” vacuum spacetime metrics

The Kasner family of vacuum solutions of Einstein's field equations admits a simply-transitiveH ₄, a four-parameter local homothetic group of motions which has an AbelianG ₃ subgroup. It is shown that a complex transformation of coordinates and constants exists which maps this family from the normal Kasner form into a form of vacuum metrics whose Weyl tensors are each Petrov type I and which were published in 1932 by Lewis. These metrics also admit a similarH ₄; however for one particular metric (for one parameter value) theH ₄ becomes aG ₄ and the resultant metric is one which was rediscovered by Petrov in 1962. These Lewis metrics are thus shown to be Kasner metrics over complex fields. Here they are calledwindmill metrics because of the rotating relationship between the coordinates and the Killing vector fields admitted. The principal null directions of thereal Kasner and the windmill metrics are discussed; the two families then provide illustrations of two degenerate classes of spacetime metrics whose Weyl tensors are of Petrov type I, as discussed elsewhere by Arianrhod and McIntosh. An extension of the windmill-type generation of metrics to some other families of metrics is also discussed.     

A grand superspace for unified field theories

Agrand superspace is proposed as the phase space for gauge field theories with a fixed structure groupG over a fixed space-time manifoldM. This superspace incorporatesall principal fiber bundles with these data. This phase space is the space of isomorphism classes ofall connections onall G-principal fiber bundles overM (fixedG andM). The justification for choosing this grand superspace for the phase space is that the space-time and the structure group are determinants of the physical theory, but the principal fiber bundle with the givenG andM is not. Grand superspace is studied in terms of a natural universal principal fiber bundle overM, canonically associated withM alone, and with a natural universal connection on this bundle. This bundle and its connection are universal in the sense that all connections on allG-principal fiber bundles (anyG) overM can be recovered from this universal bundle and its universal connection by a canonical construction. WhenG is Abelian, grand superspace is shown to be an Abelian group. Various subspaces of grand superspace consisting of the isomorphism classes of flat connections and of Yang-Mills connections are also discussed.     

Electric quadrupole interactions in non-axially symmetric electric field gradients of spinI=2 and 3 nuclei in polycrystalline sources

Calculations and formulae are presented for the purpose of understanding and analyzing Perturbed Angular Correlation (PAC) experiments that use spin-two and spin-three probe nuclei. For electric quadrupole interactions of probe nuclei in a polycrystalline source with non-axially symmetric electric field gradients, the interaction frequencies and perturbation functions for spin-two and spin-three nuclei differ qualitatively and quantitatively from those for spin-five-halves nuclei. These differences result primarily because them-states of integral-spin nuclei are nondegenerate in an asymmetric electric field gradient. To help the experimenter deal with the added complexity of the integral-spin casesI=2 and 3, closed-form expressions are provided for the energy eigenvalues and the eigenvectors as a function of the asymmetry parameter η. To deal with the problem of calculating the perturbation functionsG _kk (t) for η>0, the summation overm-state quantum numbers is formulated in terms ofa _n′,n ^(k) -coefficients. These coefficients are analogous to theS _kn -coefficients used in the case for η=0. To illustrate the differences between the half-integral-spin caseI=5/2 and the integral-spin casesI=2 and 3, energy difference diagrams anda _n′,n′ ⁽²⁾ diagrams are presented and discussed.