Local descriptions of the heterotic SU(3) moduli space

Abstract

The heterotic $SU(3)$ system, also known as the Hull--Strominger system, arises from compactifications of heterotic string theory to six dimensions. This paper investigates the local structure of the moduli space of solutions to this system on a compact 6-manifold $X$, using a vector bundle $Q=(T^{1,0}X{)}^{\ast }\oplus End(E)\oplus T^{1,0}X$, where $E\to X$ is the classical gauge bundle arising in the system. We establish that the moduli space has an expected dimension of zero. We achieve this by studying the deformation complex associated to a differential operator $\bar{D}$, which emulates a holomorphic structure on $Q$, and demonstrating an isomorphism between the two cohomology groups which govern the infinitesimal deformations and obstructions in the deformation theory for the system. We also provide a Dolbeault-type theorem linking these cohomology groups to Čech cohomology, a result which might be of independent interest, as well as potentially valuable for future research.

arXiv commentv2: 34 pages, expanded introduction, example added, references updated; v3: 35 pages, new statement of the main theorem, remarks and references added, minor corrections, accepted in Comm. Math. Phys