Calabi-Yau manifolds and compactification of extra dimensions in M-theory

Question

I just finished learning M(atrix) theory and the basics of the compactification of extra dimensions.

The extra 6 dimensions of superstring theory can be compactified on 3 Calabi-Yau manifolds (because 6 real dimensions means 3 complex dimensions).

However, when it comes to M-theory, one cannot compactify on 3.5 Calabi-Yau manifolds, so after compactifying 6 dimensions, where does the extra 1 dimension go? Is it just compactified on a circle, or something like that?

Comments

For clarity, there are CY's of complex dimension two, three, etc., not just one.

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2014-03-07 16:42 (UCT), posted by SE-user Vibert

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Keyword in this context: $G_2$-manifolds.

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2014-03-07 16:42 (UCT), posted by SE-user Qmechanic

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@Vibert: That was what I meant. When I said 3 Calabi Yau manifolds, I meant Calabi Yau manifolds of complex dimension 3.

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2014-03-07 16:42 (UCT), posted by SE-user Dimensio1n0

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@Qmechanic: Thanks a lot!

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2014-03-07 16:42 (UCT), posted by SE-user Dimensio1n0

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See on the nLab at ncatlab.org/nlab/show/M-theory+on+G2-manifolds

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2014-03-07 16:42 (UCT), posted by SE-user Urs Schreiber

Answer 1

$$\newcommand{\holonomy}{[\mathcal{H\mathbb{O} \ell}]}$$

This answer is an expansion of Qmechanic's comment. 

Holonomy

Holonomy can be imagined as the integral, or global version, of the Riemann Curvature Tensor. The Riemann Curvature tensor, indeed is

$$R_{\mu\nu\rho}^\sigma=\mbox{d}\holonomy$$

Where $\mathcal{\holonomy}$ is the Holonomy.

Holonomy Groups

Now, this holonomy is the group action of the Holonomy group of the manifold. So, in other words, the holonomy of the identity of the holonomy group (not doing any sort of a transport) doesn't do anything to a point on the manifold, and that holonomies are hand - wavily, sort - of "associative" (use this statement with caution!), i.e., instead of writerighteing $\phi(g,x)$ or something, if we choose to write something like, say, $g\dagger x$, then:

$$g\dagger\left(h\dagger x\right)=\left(gh\right)\dagger x$$

Oh, and the first statpement becomes, :

$$e\dagger x =x $$

Now, this is not as trivial as it looks. $e$ is the identity of the holonomy group, NOT of the manifold! .

So, where does $G(2)$ come in?

Now, where in the world does $G(2)$ come from? $G(2)$ is a holonomy group of $\bf{\mathbf{\it{7}}}$-dimensional manifolds, called $G(2)$ manifolds. This means that it is possible to use this as a compactification manifold for M-theory. M-theory has a supersymmetry of $\mathcal N=8$. But, if we waNt a supersymmetry of $\mathcal{N}=1$ (accessible at lower energies), n the compactificaqtion manifoldk must get rid of $\frac78$ of the supersymmetry, i.e. retain only $\frac18$.

It so happens to be that $G(2)$ manifolds do indeed satisfy this criterion.