$\cF$-functional and geodesic stability

Abstract

We consider canonical metrics on Fano manifolds. First we introduce a norm-type functional on Fano manifolds, which has Kahler-Einstein or Kahler-Ricci soliton as its critical point and the Kahler-Ricci flow can be viewed as its (reduced) gradient flow. We then obtain a natural lower bound of this functional. As an application, we prove that Kahler-Ricci soliton, if exists, maximizes Perelman's $\mu$-functional without extra assumptions. Second we consider a conjecture proposed by S.K. Donaldson in terms of $\cK$-energy. Our simple observation is that $\cF$-functional, as $\cK$-energy, also integrates Futaki invariant. We then restate geodesic stability conjecture on Fano manifolds in terms of $\cF$-functional. Similar pictures can also be extended to Kahler-Ricci soliton and modified $\cF$-functional.