Warped-like product manifolds with exceptional holonomy groups

Abstract

In this paper we review $G_2$ and $Spin(7)$ geometries in relation with a special type of metric structure which we call warped-like product metric. We present a general ansatz of warped-like product metric as a definition of warped-like product. Considering fiber-base decomposition, the definition of warped-like product is regarded as a generalization of multiply-warped product manifolds, by allowing the fiber metric to be non block diagonal. For some special cases, we present explicit example of $(3+3+2)$ warped-like product manifolds with $Spin(7)$ holonomy of the form $M=F\times B$, where the base $B$ is a two dimensional Riemannian manifold, and the fibre $F$ is of the form $F=F_1\times F_2$ where $F_i$'s $(i=1,2)$ are Riemannian $3$-manifolds. Additionally an explicit example of $(3+3+1)$ warped-like product manifold with $G_2$ holonomy is studied. From the literature, some other special warped-like product metrics with $G_2$ holonomy are also presented in the present study. We believe that our approach of the warped-like product metrics will be an important notion for the geometries which use warped and multiply-warped product structures, and especially manifolds with exceptional holonomy.