Eigenvalue estimates for Dirac operators in geometries with torsion (Q2655204)

A classical result of T. Friedrich gives an optimal lower bound for the squares of the eigenvalues of the Dirac operator on compact Riemannian spin manifolds of positive scalare curvature. If the lower bound is attained, the corresponding eigenspinors are so-called Killing spinors, and the underlying Riemannian manifold admits some special geometric structure. Killing spinors are subject to an overdetermined spinor field equation, which is also of particular interest in supergravity theories. Special geometric structures such as Sasaki, nearly Kähler, or nearly parallel \(G_2\)-structures admit a characteristic metric connection with torsion \(T^c\), in addition. The corresponding metric connection with torsion \(\frac{1}{3}T^c\) gives rise to the Dirac operator \(D^{1/3}\) on spinors, which is related to Kostant's cubic Dirac operator. The current work studies eigenvalue estimates for the symmetric operator \((D^{1/3})^2\) for the case of special geometries with parallel torsion in dimension 6 and \(7\), in particular, for compact nearly Kähler spaces and nearly parallel \(G_2\)-spaces. The main results of these investigations establish estimates for the first eigenvalue of \((D^{1/3})^2\) in terms of the second eigenvalue of the square of the standard Dirac operator. These estimates are derived by using generalised Schrödinger-Lichnerowicz formulas for certain perturbations of \((D^{1/3})^2\). The limiting case of these estimates and the corresponding spinor field equations are discussed as well. In certain situations, this discussion leads to closer descriptions of the underlying special geometries in terms of natural reductive spaces and certain fibrations over other special geometries.