Related papers: Stable forms and special metrics

Using D2-brane probes, we study various properties of M-theory on singular, non-compact manifolds of G_2 and Spin(7) holonomy. We derive mirror pairs of N=1 supersymmetric three-dimensional gauge theories, and apply this technique to…

A Hadwiger-type theorem for the exceptional Lie groups $G_2$ and $Spin(7)$ is proved. The algebras of $G_2$ or $Spin(7)$ invariant, translation invariant continuous valuations are both of dimension 10. Geometrically meaningful bases are…

We define new Riemannian structures on 7-manifolds by a differential form of mixed degree which is the critical point of a (possibly constrained) variational problem over a fixed cohomology class. The unconstrained critical points…

Recently, a new example of a complete non-compact Ricci-flat metric of G_2 holonomy was constructed, which has an asymptotically locally conical structure at infinity with a circular direction whose radius stabilises. In this paper we find…

We investigate cohomogeneity-one metrics whose principal orbit is an Aloff-Wallach space SU(3)/U(1). In particular, we are interested in metrics whose holonomy is contained in Spin(7). Complete metrics of this kind which are not product…

We construct several new G(2) holonomy metrics that play an important role in recent studies of geometrical transitions in compactifications of M-theory to four dimensions. In type IIA string theory these metrics correspond to D6 branes…

Group theory indicates the existence of a $SO(8) X SO(7) \subset SO(16)$ invariant self-duality equation for a 3-form in 16 dimensions. It is a signal for interesting topological field theories, especially on 8-dimensional manifolds with…

We review recent developments in differential topology with special concern for their possible significance to physical theories, especially general relativity. In particular we are concerned here with the discovery of the existence of…

Starting from the De Witt supermetric and limiting ourselves to a family of geometries characterized by a finite number of geometric invariants we extract the unique integration measure. Such a measure turns out to be a geometric invariant,…

We clarify the global geometry of two 1-parameter families of cohomogeneity one Spin(7) holonomy metrics with generic orbit the Aloff--Wallach space $N(1,-1) \cong \mathrm{SU}(3)/\mathrm{U}(1)$ and singular orbits $S^5$ and $\mathbb{C}P^2$,…

Given a generic 2-plane field on a 5-dimensional manifold we consider its (3,2)-signature conformal metric [g] as defined in math.DG/0406400. Every conformal class [g] obtained in this way has very special conformal holonomy: it must be…

We classify all cohomogeneity one manifolds with principal orbit Q^111=SU(2)^3/U(1)^2 or M^110=(SU(3) x SU(2))/(SU(2) x U(1)) whose holonomy is contained in Spin(7). Various metrics with different kinds of singular orbits can be constructed…

We characterise simply-connected biquotients which potentially admit metrics of holonomy G_2. We prove that there are at most three real homotopy types of rationally elliptic such manifolds---all of them being formal. In the course of this…

In this survey, we describe invariants that can be used to distinguish connected components of the moduli space of holonomy G_2 metrics on a closed 7-manifold, or to distinguish G_2-manifolds that are homeomorphic but not diffeomorphic. We…

The equations of 10 or 11 dimensional supergravity admit supersymmetric compactifications on 7-manifolds of $G_2$ holonomy, but these supergravity vacua are deformed away from special holonomy by the higher-order corrections of string or…

We study mirror symmetry of type II strings on manifolds with the exceptional holonomy groups $G_2$ and Spin(7). Our central result is a construction of mirrors of Spin(7) manifolds realized as generalized connected sums. In parallel to…

A new symmetry of $(1,0)$ supersymmetric non-linear $\sigma$-models in two dimensions with Fermi and mass sectors is introduced. It is a generalisation of the so-called special holonomy $W$-symmetry of Howe and Papadopoulos associated with…

We construct new explicit metrics on complete non-compact Riemannian 8-manifolds with holonomy Spin(7). One manifold, which we denote by A_8, is topologically R^8 and another, which we denote by B_8, is the bundle of chiral spinors over…

Two variants of $N=7$ superconformal mechanics with manifest $so(7)$ and $su(2) \times su(2)$ $R$-symmetries possessing exceptional $G(3)$ dynamical symmetry are presented. To construct these $G(3)$ theories, we developed two new versions…

Bryant and Salamon gave a construction of metrics of G2 holonomy on the total space of the bundle of anti-self-dual (ASD) 2-forms over a 4-dimensional self-dual Einstein manifold. We generalise it by considering the total space of an SO(3)…