Tanaka structures modeled on extended Poincare algebras

Let (V,(.,.)) be a pseudo-Euclidean vector space and S an irreducible Cl(V)-module. An extended translation algebra is a graded Lie algebra m = m_{-2}+m_{-1} = V+S with bracket given by ([s,t],v) = b(v.s,t) for some nondegenerate so(V)-invariant reflexive bilinear form b on S. An extended Poincare structure on a manifold M is a regular distribution D of depth 2 whose Levi form L_x: D_xwedge D_xrightarrow T_xM/D_x at any point xin M is identifiable with the bracket [.,.]: Swedge Srightarrow V of a fixed extended translation algebra m. The classification of the standard maximally homogeneous manifolds with an extended Poincare structure is given, in terms of Tanaka prolongations of extended translation algebras and of appropriate gradations of real simple Lie algebras.

Isometric and CR pluriharmonic immersions of three dimensional CR manifolds in Euclidean spaces

Using a bigraded differential complex depending on the CR and pseudohermitian structure, we give a characterization of three-dimensional strongly pseudoconvex pseudo-hermitian CR-manifolds isometrically immersed in Euclidean space $mathbb{R}^n$ in terms of an integral representation of Weierstrass type. Restricting to the case of immersions in $mathbb{R}^4$, we study harmonicity conditions for such immersions and give a complete classification of CR-pluriharmonic immersions.

Reductive compact homogeneous CR manifolds

We consider a class of compact homogeneous CR manifolds, that we call $mathfrak n$-reductive, which includes the orbits of minimal dimension of a compact Lie group $K_0$ in an algebraic homogeneous variety of its complexification $K$. For these manifolds we define canonical equivariant fibrations onto complex flag manifolds. The simplest example is the Hopf fibration $S^3tomathbb{CP}^1$. In general these fibrations are not $CR$ submersions, however they satisfy a weaker condition that we introduce here, namely they are CR-deployments.

A characterization of CR quadrics with a symmetry property

We study CR quadrics satisfying a symmetry property $(tilde S)$ which is slightly weaker than the symmetry property $(S)$, recently introduced by W. Kaup, which requires the existence of an automorphism reversing the gradation of the Lie algebra of infinitesimal automorphisms of the quadric. We characterize quadrics satisfying the $(tilde S)$ property in terms of their Levi-Tanaka algebras. In many cases the $(tilde S)$ property implies the $(S)$ property; this holds in particular for compact quadrics. We also give a new example of a quadric such that the dimension of the algebra of positive-degree infinitesimal automorphisms is larger than the dimension of the quadric.

On homogeneous and symmetric CR manifolds

We consider canonical fibrations and algebraic geometric structures on homogeneous CR manifolds, in connection with the notion of CR algebra. We give applications to the classifications of left invariant CR structures on semisimple Lie groups and of CR-symmetric structures on complete flag varieties.

Orbits of real forms in complex flag manifolds

We investigate the $CR$ geometry of the orbits $M$ of a real form $G_0$ of a complex simple group $G$ in a complex flag manifold $X=G/Q$. We are mainly concerned with finite type, Levi non-degeneracy conditions, canonical $G_0$-equivariant and Mostow fibrations, and topological properties of the orbits.

On the topology of minimal orbits in complex flag manifolds

We compute the Euler-Poincare characteristic of the homogeneous compact manifolds that can be described as minimal orbits for the action of a real form in a complex flag manifold.