Closed \({G_2}\)-structures on compact quotients of Lie groups (Q6086394)

A \({G_2}\)-structure on a 7-manifold is a 3-form \(\varphi\) with pointwise stabilizer isomorphic to \({G_2}\). A \({G_2}\)-structure induces a Riemannian metric \(g_\varphi\) and an orientation on the underlying manifold. The holonomy of \(g_\varphi\) is contained in \({G_2}\) if and only if \(\varphi\) is parallel. The latter condition is equivalent to \(\varphi\) being closed and coclosed. \({G_2}\) is one of the exceptional holonomy groups of the celebrated Berger list, and the quest for examples of such manifolds has lasted over 30 years. Long story short, in 1994 \textit{D. D. Joyce} [J. Differ. Geom. 43, No. 2, 291--328 (1996; Zbl 0861.53022)] constructed the first examples of compact manifolds endowed with full holonomy \({G_2}\) metrics. It is worth noting that Riemannian metrics with holonomy \({G_2}\) are the only known examples of Ricci-flat metrics in odd dimensions. Roughly speaking, Joyce's construction starts with a \textit{closed} \({G_2}\)-structure, one for which only \(d\varphi=0\) is satisfied, and deforms it to obtain a parallel one. Thus closed \({G_2}\)-structures can be seen as starting points in the construction of parallel ones. The paper under review surveys many aspects of manifolds endowed with closed \({G_2}\)-structures. It dwells in particular on left-invariant closed \({G_2}\)-structures on Lie groups, on their construction and classification, and on the properties of the Laplacian flow in this setting. A last section is dedicated to \textit{exact} \({G_2}\)-structures, where \(\varphi=d\tau\). The main question in this area is the existence of a closed (hence exact) \({G_2}\)-structure on the sphere \(S^7\). The paper presents many open questions and is equipped with a rich bibliography. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn about closed \({G_2}\)-structures. For the entire collection see [Zbl 1519.00033].