Riemannian Structures on Z 2 n -Manifolds

Abstract

Very loosely, $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$-manifolds are `manifolds' with $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$-graded coordinates and their sign rule is determined by the scalar product of their $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$-degrees. A little more carefully, such objects can be understood within a sheaf-theoretical framework, just as supermanifolds can, but with subtle differences. In this paper, we examine the notion of a Riemannian $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$-manifold, i.e., a $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$-manifold equipped with a Riemannian metric that may carry non-zero $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$-degree. We show that the basic notions and tenets of Riemannian geometry directly generalise to the setting of $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$-geometry. For example, the Fundamental Theorem holds in this higher graded setting. We point out the similarities and differences with Riemannian supergeometry.