C-spaces, generalized geometry and double field theory

Abstract

We construct a C-space associated with every closed 3-form on a spacetime $M$ and show that it depends on the class of the form in $H^3(M, Z)$. We also demonstrate that C-spaces have a relation to generalized geometry and to gerbes. C-spaces are constructed after introducing additional coordinates at the open sets and at their double overlaps of a spacetime generalizing the standard construction of Kaluza-Klein spaces for 2-forms. C-spaces may not be manifolds and satisfy the topological geometrization condition. Double spaces arise as local subspaces of C-spaces that cannot be globally extended. This indicates that for the global definition of double field theories additional coordinates are needed. We explore several other aspect of C-spaces like their topology and relation to Whitehead towers, and also describe the construction of C-spaces for closed k-forms.