English

Conformal structures with $G_2$-symmetric twistor distribution

Differential Geometry 2024-11-05 v1

Abstract

For any 4D split-signature conformal structure, there is an induced twistor distribution on the 5D space of all self-dual totally null 2-planes, which is (2,3,5)(2,3,5) when the conformal structure is not anti-self-dual. Several examples where the twistor distribution achieves maximal symmetry (the split-real form of the exceptional simple Lie algebra of type G2\mathrm{G}_2) were previously known, and these include fascinating examples arising from the rolling of surfaces without twisting or slipping. Relaxing the rolling assumption, we establish a complete local classification result among those homogeneous 4D split-conformal structures for which the symmetry algebra induces a multiply-transitive action on the 5D space. Furthermore, we discuss geometric properties of these conformal structures such as their curvature, holonomy, and existence of Einstein representatives.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2411.01936,
  title  = {Conformal structures with $G_2$-symmetric twistor distribution},
  author = {Pawel Nurowski and Katja Sagerschnig and Dennis The},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2411.01936},
  year   = {2024}
}

Comments

38 pages

R2 v1 2026-06-28T19:47:09.651Z