Geometric flows for the Type IIA string

Abstract

A geometric flow on $6$-dimensional symplectic manifolds is introduced which is motivated by supersymmetric compactifications of the Type IIA string. The underlying structure turns out to be SU(3) holonomy, but with respect to the projected Levi-Civita connection of an almost-Hermitian structure. The short-time existence is established, and new identities for the Nijenhuis tensor are found which are crucial for Shi-type estimates. The integrable case can be completely solved, giving an alternative proof of Yau's theorem on Ricci-flat K\"ahler metrics. In the non-integrable case, models are worked out which suggest that the flow should lead to optimal almost-complex structures compatible with the given symplectic form.