On the shrinking entropy functional for generalized Ricci flow (Q6994769)

Generalized Ricci flow is a generalization of Ricci flow that studies the evolution of Riemannian metrics coupled to closed 3-forms. It is known that generalized Ricci flow admits Perelman-type expanding and steady entropy functionals, which are monotone under the flow and fixed, respectively, on expanding and steady generalized Ricci solitons. On the other hand, the existence of a monotone shrinking entropy functional for generalized Ricci flow was still an open question. An approach to this question was offered by \textit{M. Garcia-Fernandez} and \textit{J. Streets} [Generalized Ricci flow. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society (AMS) (2021; Zbl 1489.53001)], who proposed a variant of the shrinking entropy which is monotone under generalized Ricci flow provided that there are subsolutions to a certain heat-type equation along the flow. The aim of this paper is to offer a new approach to the question. To this effect, the author proposes a perturbed version of the generalized Ricci flow equations.\N\NFirst of all, the author proves a monotonicity formula for all three entropy functionals along the perturbed flow, extending results on (unperturbed) generalized Ricci flow by \textit{T. Oliynyk} et al. [Nucl. Phys., B 739, No. 3, 441--458 (2006; Zbl 1109.81058)], \textit{J. Streets} [J. Geom. Phys. 58, No. 7, 900--912 (2008; Zbl 1144.53326)] and \textit{M. Garcia-Fernandez} and \textit{J. Streets} [loc. cit.]. As an application of this formula, the author also obtains a Harnack-type estimate for the perturbed flow.\N\NSecondly, he proves that gradient generalized Ricci solitons correspond exactly to solutions of the perturbed flow along which the entropy remains constant. The implication that constant-entropy solutions lead to gradient solitons is a consequence of his monotonicity formula, whereas to prove the converse he shows that gradient solitons give rise to self-similar solutions of the perturbed flow, hence having constant entropy.\N\NLastly, using his monotonicity formula, he establishes a \(\kappa\)-non-collapsing theorem for the perturbed generalized Ricci flow, through a careful analysis of volume ratios estimates. Setting the perturbation to zero, this induces a \(\kappa\)-non-collapsing theorem for generalized Ricci flow as well.