M-theory Conifolds
M. Cvetic, G. W. Gibbons, H. Lu, C. N. Pope
TL;DR
First-order equations are found for a new family of G2 metrics D7, with S3 x S3 principal orbits, related at weak string coupling to the resolved conifold, allowing a deeper study of topology change and mirror symmetry in M-theory.
Abstract
Seven-manifolds of G_2 holonomy provide a bridge between M-theory and string theory, via Kaluza-Klein reduction to Calabi-Yau six-manifolds. We find first-order equations for a new family of G_2 metrics D_7, with S^3\times S^3 principal orbits. These are related at weak string coupling to the resolved conifold, paralleling earlier examples B_7 that are related to the deformed conifold, allowing a deeper study of topology change and mirror symmetry in M-theory. The D_7 metrics' non-trivial parameter characterises the squashing of an S^3 bolt, which limits to S^2 at weak coupling. In general the D_7 metrics are asymptotically locally conical, with a nowhere-singular circle action.