Geometric transitions with Spin(7) holonomy via a dynamical system

Abstract

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 $\mathbb{C}{P}^2$, which at short distance were shown to exist by Reidegeld. The two families fit into the geography of previously known families of cohomogeneity one metrics with exceptional holonomy and provide a Spin(7) analogue of the well-known conifold transition in the setting of Calabi--Yau 3-folds. Furthermore, we discover that there is another transition to families of Spin(7) holonomy metrics which have a similar asymptotic behaviour on one end, but are singular on the other end. We obtain our results by relating the Spin(7)-equations to a simple dynamical system on a 3-dimensional cube.

44 pages, 5 figures