Self-duality of metrics of type \((2,2)\) on four-dimensional manifolds (Q1365343): Difference between revisions

Let \((M,g)\) be an oriented pseudo-Riemannian 4-manifold with a (2,2)-metric \(g\). As in the Riemannian case, the Hodge star operator \(*\) of \((M,g)\) satisfies \(* \circ *=\) identity on the bundle of 2-forms of \(M\). Thus this bundle splits into the direct sum \(\Lambda_+ \oplus\Lambda_-\), where \(\Lambda_\pm\) is the subspace of all 2-forms \(\alpha\) such that \(* \alpha= \pm \alpha\). Let \(R,X,s\), and \(W\) denote the curvature tensor, the traceless Ricci tensor, the scalar curvature, and the Weyl conformal tensor of \((M,g)\). Considering them as endomorphisms on the bundle of 2-forms, one can verify that \(*W= W*\) and \(*Z= -Z*\). Thus we have the decomposition \(R= (W_+ \oplus W_-) \oplus Z \oplus (s/12)\) Id, where \(W_\pm =W |_{\Lambda_\pm}\) are endomorphisms on \(\Lambda_\pm\). A (2,2)-metric \(g\) is said to be self-dual (resp. anti self-dual) if \(W_- \equiv 0\) (resp. \(W_+ \equiv 0)\). It is said to be Einstein if \(Z\equiv 0\). If \(J\) is an almost complex structure on \((M,g)\) which is compatible with the (2,2)-metric \(g\), then \((M,g,J)\) is called an almost (2,2)-Hermitian 4-manifold. If \(J\) is also parallel with respect to the Levi-Civita connection on \((M,g)\), then \((M,g,J)\) is called a (2,2)-Kähler surface. The authors study self-duality of pseudo-Riemannian metrics of type (2,2) and investigate its relation with self-duality for Riemannian metrics under appropriate conditions. In particular, they show for self-dual, Einstein and Kählerian cases, the exact correspondence between Bianchi type IX (4,0)-metrics and Bianchi type VIII (2,2)-metrics. Finally, they give global constructions for 4-manifolds with self-dual metrics of type (2,2).