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# Semi-free Hamiltonian circle actions on 6 dimensional symplectic manifolds

## 1. Introduction

Assume $`(M,\omega )`$ is a connected, compact 6 dimensional symplectic manifold equipped with a nontrivial semi-free (free outside fixed point sets) Hamiltonian circle action. It is well known that the moment map $`\varphi `$ is a real-valued perfect Bott-Morse function. The critical points of $`\varphi `$ are exactly the fixed point sets $`M^{S^1}`$ of the circle action, and $`M^{S^1}`$ is a disjoint union of symplectic submanifolds. Therefore, in dimension 6, the fixed point sets could be $`0,2`$ or $`4`$ dimensional. If the fixed points are all isolated, by \[TW1\], there are precisely 8 fixed points and the manifold is diffeomorphic to $`(P^1)^3`$. If the fixed point set consists of isolated points or orientable closed surfaces, the situation is much more complicated. In this paper, we consider this question for the case $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)<3`$. We give a complete list of the possible manifolds, determine their equivariant cohomology rings and equivariant Chern classes. Some of these manifolds are classified up to diffeomorphism. One of them arises as a coadjoint orbit. Some of the others arise as toric varieties.

Each critical set of the moment map $`\varphi `$ has even index, which is twice of the number of negative weights of the isotropy representation on the normal bundle of the critical set. Since the action is semi-free, the weights are $`+1`$ or $`1`$. In dimension 6, there are only index $`0,2,4`$ or $`6`$ critical sets. We know that $`\varphi `$ has a unique local minimum and a unique local maximum (\[A\]).

###### Example 1.

Let $`S^1`$ act on $`P^3`$ as: $`\lambda [z_1,z_2,z_3,z_4]=[\lambda z_1,\lambda z_2,z_3,z_4]`$. The action is semi-free and Hamiltonian with 2 fixed spheres; they are the minimum and the maximum of the moment map.

###### Example 2.

Consider $`SO(5)`$. Let $`T^2`$ be a maximal torus. Embed $`𝔱^{}`$ in $`𝔤^{}`$ (dual lie algebra of $`SO(5)`$). Identify $`𝔱^{}`$ with $`^2`$. The roots of the $`SO(5)`$ action on $`𝔱^{}`$ are $`(\pm 1,0),(0,\pm 1),(\pm 1,\pm 1).`$ Recall that the coadjoint orbit through an element $`x`$ of $`𝔱^{}`$ is a symplectic manifold and the projection to $`𝔱^{}`$ is a moment map for the $`T^2`$-action. The fixed points for the $`T^2`$ action are exactly the Weyl group orbit of $`x`$ in $`𝔱^{}`$. The isotropy weights at a fixed point $`y`$ are exactly those roots $`\alpha 𝔱^{}`$ for which $`\alpha ,y<0`$. Now consider the coadjoint orbit of $`SO(5)`$ through the point $`(1,0)`$. The Weyl group orbit of this point consists of the points $`(1,0),(1,0),(0,1),`$ and $`(0,1)`$. See the following picture for the moment map image of $`T^2`$.

The isotropy weights at $`(1,0)`$ are $`(1,1),(1,0)`$, and $`(1,1)`$. It is easy to see that the $`e\times S^1`$ action is semi-free and it has 3 fixed point set components: an isolated maximum, an index 2 sphere and an isolated minimum.

Let $`S^1`$ act on a connected, compact symplectic manifold $`(M,\omega )`$ with moment map $`\varphi `$. Let $`a`$ im$`(\varphi )`$, then $`\varphi ^1(a)/S^1=M_a`$ is called the reduced space at $`a`$. If the action is semi-free, then for regular value $`a`$, $`M_a`$ is a smooth manifold; for singular value $`a`$, it is not clear whether or not $`M_a`$ is a smooth manifold. However, in dimension 6, the fixed point sets are the minimum, the maximum or of index 2 or co-index 2. By \[GS\], all the reduced spaces (including those on critical levels) are smooth manifolds. Moreover, when the index 2 and co-index 2 fixed point set consists of surfaces, the reduced spaces are all diffeomorphic, and the index 2 (also of co-index 2) surface is symplectically embedded in this reduced space.

Now assume the fixed point set only consists of surfaces. Then the reduced spaces are all diffeomorphic to an $`S^2`$ bundle over a Riemann surface. (It is enough to consider the reduced space at a regular value right above the minimum Riemann surface). Moreover, the natural diffeomorphism between the reduced spaces is induced by the Morse flow on $`M`$. More explicitly, if there is no critical set between two level sets, the Morse flow gives a one to one correspondence between the level sets. Assume there is an index 2 (also of co-index 2) fixed surface $`F`$ with $`\varphi (F)=c`$. Assume $`F`$ is the only fixed point set in $`\varphi ^1(cϵ,c+ϵ)`$. Then each $`S^1`$ orbit in this neighborhood which flows into $`F`$ corresponds to a unique point of $`F`$ and corresponds to a unique $`S^1`$ orbit which flows out of $`F`$. (See \[Mc\] for detail). So in both cases, there is a well defined diffeomorphism between the reduced spaces. This diffeomorphism takes a homology class of the reduced space at a regular level right above the minimum to a homology class of the reduced space at a regular level right below the maximum. We give the following definition:

###### Definition 1.

Let $`(M,\omega )`$ be a compact connected symplectic manifold equipped with a semi-free Hamiltonian circle action. Assume the fixed point set consists only of surfaces. If the fibers of the reduced spaces at a regular level right above the minimum and right below the maximum can be represented by the same cohomology class of the reduced space, we say there is $`𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥`$; otherwise, we say there is a $`𝕥𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥`$.

$`P^3`$ in Example 1 has a twist, see Section 6 for a picture and an explanation.

###### Example 3.

Let $`S^1`$ act on $`(P^1)^3`$ by rotating the first 2 spheres with speed $`1`$ and fixing the third sphere; the fixed point set consists of 4 spheres, and there is no twist.

###### Definition 2.

For each manifold, we define the $`𝕗𝕚𝕩𝕖𝕕𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕒`$ to be the diffeomorphism type of the fixed point sets, their indices, and $`b_{min}`$, where $`b_{min}`$ denotes the 1st Chern number of the normal bundle of the minimum when the minimum is a surface.

###### Remark 1.

The fixed point data is not enough to describe the manifold type. In Section 6, we give two toric varieties which have the same fixed point data but one is twisted and the other one is not twisted.

###### Theorem 1.

Let $`(M,\omega )`$ be a connected compact 6 dimensional symplectic manifold equipped with a semi-free Hamiltonian circle action such that the fixed point set consists of isolated points or surfaces. Assume $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)<3`$. Then the possible fixed point data and the twist type are:

In the picture, $`g`$, $`g_1`$ are the genus of the surfaces, and $`b_{max}`$ is the 1st Chern number of the normal bundle of the maximum.

###### Remark 2.

The picture gives us an order of how the moment map crosses the fixed point sets. For instance, manifold of type (1) means that the manifold has an isolated minimum, an index 2 sphere, and an isolated maximum.

For manifold of type (2), the two index 2 spheres can not be on the same level of the moment map.

For manifolds of type (3) and (5), the moment map can cross the two non-extremal fixed point sets in any order or the 2 fixed point sets are on the same level of the moment map.

Notice that Example 1 is of type (4) and Example 2 is of type (1), so this proves the existence of manifold of type (1) and type (4).

###### Proposition 1.

Let $`b_+`$ and $`b_{}`$ be the Euler numbers of the positive normal bundle and the negative normal bundle of an index 2 surface.

Then for each manifold which has an index 2 surface in Theorem 1, $`b_+`$ and $`b_{}`$ of each index 2 fixed surface are determined by the fixed point data and the twist type.

###### Theorem 2.

Let $`(M,\omega )`$ be a connected compact 6 dimensional symplectic manifold equipped with a semi-free Hamiltonian circle action such that the fixed point set consists of isolated points or surfaces. Assume $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)<3`$. Then the equivariant cohomology ring of $`M`$ and its restriction to the fixed point set are uniquely determined by the fixed point data and the twist type.

###### Corollary 1.

For each manifold in Theorem 1, the equivariant Chern classes and their restrictions to the fixed point set are uniquely determined by the fixed point data and the twist type.

###### Proof.

The restrictions of the equivariant Chern classes to the fixed point sets are determined by the fixed point sets, their indices and the Euler numbers of the normal bundles of the fixed point sets. Therefore Proposition 1 and Theorem 2 imply the corollary. ∎

###### Corollary 2.

For each manifold in Theorem 1, the ordinary cohomology ring and the ordinary Chern classes are uniquely determined by the fixed point data and the twist type.

###### Proof.

By Theorem 2 and Corollary 1, we only need to show that the map $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)H^{}(M,)`$ is surjective111This argument is suggested by Franz Matthias.. For each fixed point set component $`F`$ such that $`\varphi (F)=c`$, assume $`F`$ is the only critical set in $`\varphi ^1(cϵ,c+ϵ)`$. Let $`M_{}=\{xM|\varphi (x)<cϵ\}`$ and $`M_+=\{xM|\varphi (x)<c+ϵ\}`$. By induction, assume $`H_{S^1}^{}(M_{},)H^{}(M_{},)`$ is surjective. We have the following commutative diagram:

$$\begin{array}{ccccccccc}0& & H_{S^1}^{}(M_+,M_{},)& & H_{S^1}^{}(M_+,)& \stackrel{𝑓}{}& H_{S^1}^{}(M_{},)& & 0\\ & & h_1& & h_2& & h_3& & \\ 0& & H^{}(M_+,M_{},)& & H^{}(M_+,)& \stackrel{𝑔}{}& H^{}(M_{},)& & 0\end{array}$$

We have the commutative diagram for the long exact sequences in equivariant cohomology and ordinary cohomology. The long exact sequence for equivariant cohomology in $``$ coefficients splits is by \[TW2\] (since the fixed point set has no torsion cohomology). The surjectivity of $`H_{S^1}^{}(M_+,)H_{S^1}^{}(M_{},)`$ and the surjectivity of $`H_{S^1}^{}(M_{},)H^{}(M_{},)`$ give the surjectivity of $`H^{}(M_+,)H^{}(M_{},)`$ (for any $``$). Therefore we have the short exact sequence for ordinary cohomology. $`h_1`$ is clearly surjective after we identify the relative equivariant cohomology (or cohomology) with the equivariant cohomology (or cohomology) of $`F`$ by using Thom isomorphism. By diagram chasing, we can prove $`h_2`$ is surjective.

Wall classified certain 6-dimensional manifolds. For symplectic manifolds, his theorem implies the following

###### Theorem 3.

(\[W\]) If two simply-connected 6 dimensional symplectic manifolds have no torsion homology, their second Stiefel-Whitney classes $`w_2`$ vanish, and they have the same cohomology ring and Chern classes, then they are diffeomorphic.

We can use this to prove

###### Proposition 2.

All manifolds of type (4) are diffeomorphic to $`P^3`$. Hence it is diffeomorphic to a toric variety.

All manifolds of type (6a) with $`g=0`$, the same $`g_1`$ and the same even $`b_{min}`$ are diffeomorphic.

All manifolds of type (6b) with the same $`b_{min}`$ are diffeomorphic.

We will also prove

###### Proposition 3.

If $`(M,\omega )`$ is of type (6b) and $`b_{min}=2`$, then $`(M,\omega )`$ is diffeomorphic to a toric variety which is $`P^3`$ blown up a point.

There exists a toric variety when $`(M,\omega )`$ is of type (3) and $`b_{min}=1`$ or $`b_{min}=3`$. In particular, when $`b_{min}=1`$, the toric variety is $`P^2\times P^1`$.

#### Acknowledgement

I would like to give special thanks to Susan Tolman for many helpful discussions, especially for explaining to me the integration formula in equivariant cohomology and the Delzant polytope. She also gave me many good suggestions about how to write this paper.

I would like to thank Miguel Abreu for suggesting to construct the polytopes. The polytopes helped my understanding of the problem and provided good examples.

I also would like to thank Jeremy Wang for patiently teaching me how to draw pictures.

Finally, I would like to thank the referee for many constructive comments.

## 2. Proof of Theorem 1

###### Lemma 1.

When the maximum and the minimum are isolated or they are surfaces, if there are isolated fixed points with index 2 or index 4, then they must occur in pairs.

When the minimum is a surface, and the maximum is a point, then the minimum is a sphere. If index 2 or index 4 isolated points occur, the number of index 4 points is $`1`$ more than the number of index 2 points.

###### Proof.

Use the fact that $`\varphi `$ is a perfect Morse-Bott function and Poincare duality. When the minimum and the maximum are isolated, they don’t contribute to $`H^2(M)`$ or $`H^4(M)`$. Each index 2 surface increases both $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)`$ and $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^4(M)`$ by $`1`$. Each index 2 isolated fixed point increases $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)`$ by $`1`$, $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^4(M)`$ should also be increased by $`1`$ which needs the index 4 isolated point.

When the minimum and the maximum are surfaces, the minimum increases $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)`$ by $`1`$, and the maximum increases $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^4(M)`$ by $`1`$. Reasoning as above, we can prove the corresponding statement.

If the minimum is a surface, and the maximum is isolated, then the minimum has to be a sphere. The reason is: $`\varphi `$ is a perfect Morse-Bott function and each critical set has even index, so none of the critical sets contributes to $`H^5(M)`$, hence $`H^5(M)=0`$; by duality, $`H^1(M)=0`$. Since to pass these critical sets won’t increase or kill $`H^1(M)`$, therefore the minimum surface has genus 0. Argue similarly for the rest of the statement.

We will approach the proof of Theorem 1 separately, according to the dimensions of the minimum and the maximum.

### 2.1. The minimum and the maximum are isolated

If $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)<3`$, by Lemma 1, we have the following 3 possibilities ($`N_F`$ denotes the number of fixed point set components):

(i) $`N_F=3`$: the minimum, one index 2 surface, and the maximum.

(ii) $`N_F=4`$: the minimum, two index 2 surfaces, and the maximum.

(iii) $`N_F=5`$: the minimum, one index 2 surface, one index 2 point, one index 4 point, and the maximum.

( There is at least 1 surface, see introduction for reason.)

In fact the following is true:

###### Lemma 2.

Let $`(M,\omega )`$ be a connected, compact 6 dimensional symplectic manifold equipped with a semi-free Hamiltonian circle action such that the fixed point set consists of isolated points or surfaces. If the maximum and the minimum are isolated, and the other fixed point sets are surfaces, then (i) and (ii) are the only possibilities with the surfaces being spheres.

Before proving the lemma, let’s do some preparation.

If $`a`$ is a regular value of the moment map $`\varphi `$, then $`S^1`$ acts freely on $`\varphi ^1(a)`$, so we have a principal circle bundle

(1)
$$\begin{array}{ccc}S^1& & \varphi ^1(a)=P_a\hfill \\ & & \hfill \\ & & \varphi ^1(a)/S^1=M_a,\hfill \end{array}$$

where $`M_a`$ is the reduced space at $`a`$.

Let $`c`$ be a critical value of the moment map $`\varphi `$, and $`S\varphi ^1(c)`$ be an index 2 fixed surface. Assume for small $`ϵ`$, $`S`$ is the only critical set in $`\varphi ^1([cϵ,c+ϵ])`$. Let $`P_{cϵ}`$ be the circle bundle $`\varphi ^1(cϵ)`$ over $`M_{cϵ}`$, $`e(P_{cϵ})`$ be its Euler class. $`P_{c+ϵ}`$ and $`e(P_{c+ϵ})`$ have similar meanings. By \[GS\] or \[Mc\], $`M_{c+ϵ}`$ is diffeomorphic to $`M_{cϵ}`$ (in dimension 6), let’s call them $`M_{red}`$ (reduced space). Moreover, there is a symplectic embedding $`i:SM_{red}`$ such that if $`i(S)=Z`$, and $`\eta `$ is the dual class of $`Z`$ in $`M_{red}`$, then

(2)
$$e(P_{c+ϵ})=e(P_{cϵ})+\eta .$$

Choose an almost complex structure of $`M_{red}`$ such that $`Z`$ is J-holomorphically embedded in $`M_{red}`$, then we have the adjunction formula (see for example \[McS\])

(3)
$$ZZ<c_1(TM_{red}),Z>+2=2g,$$

where $`ZZ`$ is the self-intersection of $`Z`$ in $`M_{red}`$, $`c_1(TM_{red})`$ is the 1st Chern class of the tangent bundle of $`M_{red}`$, $`<,>`$ is the natural pairing between homology and cohomology, and $`g`$ is the genus of the surface $`S`$.

In this article, when we say “above” or “below” some critical level, we mean at a regular level in a small neighborhood of the critical level, such that there are no other critical level in this neighborhood.

Proof of Lemma 2:

###### Proof.

Since the minimum (or maximum)is isolated, $`M_{red}`$ at a regular value above the minimum (or below the maximum) is diffeomorphic to $`P^2`$, and the circle bundle (1) over $`M_{red}`$ is the Hopf fibration

$$\begin{array}{ccc}S^1& & S^5\hfill \\ & & \hfill \\ & & P^2.\hfill \end{array}$$

If $`uH^2(P^2)`$ is a generator, and$`u`$ is the Euler class of this circle bundle at regular values above the minimum, then $`u`$ is the Euler class of it at regular values below the maximum. If $`\eta =au`$ is the dual class of a surface in $`P^2`$, then by (3)

$$_{P^2}(au)^2_{P^2}3uau+2=2g,$$

i.e.,

(4)
$$a^23a+2=2g.$$

If $`a_1u,a_2u,\mathrm{}`$ are the dual classes of the fixed surfaces in $`P^2`$, then by (2), we have

(5)
$$u+a_1u+a_2u+\mathrm{}=u.$$

The surfaces are symplectically embedded in $`P^2`$ which implies $`a_i>0`$ for $`i=1,2,\mathrm{}`$, so either $`a=2`$, i.e., there is only one fixed surface with dual class $`\eta =2u`$ in $`P^2`$; or $`a_1=1,a_2=1`$, i.e., there are two fixed surfaces with dual classes $`\eta _1=\eta _2=u`$ in $`P^2`$. In either of these two cases, (4) gives $`g=0`$.

Notice that for the case with 2 spheres, the 2 spheres can’t be on the same level of the moment map. If they were, they would have intersection $`_{P^2}uu=1`$ which contradicts the fact that they are disjoint.

Notice from the proof the following. Assume the reduced spaces are all diffeomorphic to $`P^2`$. If there is any fixed point, then the action has to be Hamiltonian.

Regarding (iii), let’s prove

###### Lemma 3.

There are no manifolds in category (iii).

By \[GS\], when the moment map crosses an index 2 point (index 4 point), the reduced space changes by a blow up at a point (blow down of an exceptional divisor). Now let $`M_{}`$ be the reduced space before surgery (blow up or blow down), $`M_+`$ be the reduced space after surgery, and let $`e(P_{})`$ be the Euler class of the principal circle bundle over $`M_{}`$, $`e(P_+)`$ be the Euler class of the principal circle bundle over $`M_+`$. Let $`\eta _{ex,div}`$ be the dual class of the exceptional sphere in $`M_+`$ after blow up or in $`M_{}`$ before blow down. Let’s always call the blow down map by $`\beta `$. By \[GS\], we have the following:

Corresponding to blow up,

(6)
$$e(P_+)=\beta ^{}e(P_{})+\eta _{ex,div}.$$

Corresponding to blow down,

(7)
$$\beta ^{}e(P_+)=e(P_{})+\eta _{ex,div}.$$

###### Remark 3.

These are the formulas for $`\varphi `$ going from minimal value to maximal value. When we look at the manifold upside down, the Euler class of the principal circle bundle changes sign. So the above two formulas don’t contradict each other.

Proof of Lemma 3:

###### Proof.

Assume the index 2 surface has genus $`g`$.

Since the reduced space at a regular value above the minimum is $`P^2`$, there is no exceptional sphere to blow down, so the moment map must cross the index 2 point before it crosses the index 4 point. The moment map crosses the critical sets in 2 possible orders: (a) the minimum, the index 2 surface, the index 2 point, the index 4 point, the maximum. (b) the minimum, the index 2 point, the index 2 surface, the index 4 point, the maximum. (The index 2 surface next to the maximum case is case (a) with the action reversed.)

Let $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$ be $`P^2`$ blown up at a point. We look at $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$ as the nontrivial $`S^2`$ bundle over $`S^2`$. Let $`x,yH^2(\stackrel{~}{P^2)}`$ be a basis which are the dual class of the fiber and the dual class of the exceptional divisor.

For (a), the reduced spaces change in the following way:

Let $`au`$ be the dual class of the index 2 surface in $`P^2`$, by (2), (6) and (7), we have

$$u+au+y+y=x+y,$$

where $`\beta ^{}u=x+y`$.

We see that there is no $`a`$ satisfying this equation. So (a) is not possible.

For (b), the reduced spaces change in the following way:

In this case, the index 2 surface is embedded in $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$. Let $`cx+dy`$ be the dual class of the index 2 surface in $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$, then by (2), (6) and (7), we have

$$u+y+(cx+dy)+y=x+y,$$

where $`\beta ^{}u=x+y`$. we get

$$c=2,d=0.$$

The adjunction formula (3) is

$$_{\stackrel{~}{P^2}}(cx+dy)^2_{\stackrel{~}{P^2}}(3x+2y)(cx+dy)+2=2g,$$

i.e.,

(8)
$$2cdd^2d2c+2=2g.$$

For $`c=2,d=0`$, there is no $`g0`$ satisfying this formula. So (b) is not possible either.

From the above, we know that this manifold doesn’t exist. ∎

So in this section, we proved there are only 2 possible manifolds (i) and (ii) with the surfaces being spheres. Let us give them new names manifold of type (1) and manifold of type (2). They are type (1) and type (2) in Theorem 1.

### 2.2. The minimum is a surface and the maximum is a point

By Lemma 1, the surface is a sphere.

###### Lemma 4.

Assume the maximum is isolated, the minimum is a sphere, and there are no index 2 surfaces. Let $`N_2`$ and $`N_4`$ denote the number of index 2 and index 4 isolated fixed points respectively, then $`N_4=3,N_2=2`$.

Thus, $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)3`$, and we don’t consider this case.

###### Proof.

We will use integration formula in equivariant cohomology. (See \[Au\] or \[AB\] for this formula.) Let $`\lambda H_{S^1}^{}(pt)`$ be a generator, and $`uH^2(\text{minimum})`$ be a generator. Let $`b_{min}`$ be the 1st Chern number of the normal bundle of the minimum.

Integrate $`1`$ on $`M`$:

$$_{\text{min}}\frac{1}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}+\frac{1}{(\lambda )^3}|_{\text{max}}+\underset{\text{index 2 points}}{}\frac{1}{\lambda \lambda \lambda }+\underset{\text{index 4 points}}{}\frac{1}{\lambda \lambda \lambda }=0.$$

We get $`b_{min}1N_2+N_4=0.`$

Consider the equivariant 1st Chern class $`c_1(TM)`$:
$`c_1(TM)|_{\text{min}}=2\lambda +2u+b_{min}u`$.
$`c_1(TM)|_{\text{index 2 point}}=\lambda +\lambda +\lambda =\lambda `$.
$`c_1(TM)|_{\text{index 4 point}}=\lambda \lambda +\lambda =\lambda `$.
$`c_1(TM)|_{\text{max}}=\lambda \lambda \lambda =3\lambda `$.

Integrate $`c_1(TM)`$ on $`M`$:

$$_{\text{min}}\frac{2\lambda +2u+b_{min}u}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}+\frac{3\lambda }{(\lambda )^3}+\underset{\text{index 2 points}}{}\frac{\lambda }{\lambda ^3}+\underset{\text{index 4 points}}{}\frac{\lambda }{\lambda ^3}=0.$$

We obtain $`b_{min}+5N_2N_4=0.`$ Combine the above two equations, we get $`N_4=3`$. By Lemma 1, $`N_2=2`$. ∎

If we assume $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)<3`$, then by Lemma 4 and Lemma 1, we have the following:
(iv) isolated maximum, sphere minimum, an index 4 point, and an index 2 surface.

###### Lemma 5.

The index 2 surface in (iv) is a sphere.

These are manifolds of type (3) in Theorem 1.

Before proving Lemma 5, let’s look at the reduced space at a regular value of $`\varphi `$ above the minimum sphere. It is an $`S^2`$ bundle over $`S^2`$, so it is either diffeomorphic to $`S^2\times S^2`$ or diffeomorphic to $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$ ($`P^2`$ blown up at a point).

Let’s analyze this bundle more generally. Assume the minimum is a Riemann surface $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$. The reduced space at a regular value above the minimum is an $`S^2`$ bundle over $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$.

For $`S^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$, let $`x,yH^2(S^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g)`$ be a basis which are the dual classes of the fiber $`S^2`$ and the base $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$ respectively. Then $`_{base}x=_{S^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g}xy=1,_{fiber}y=_{S^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g}yx=1,_{fiber}x=_{S^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g}x^2=0,_{base}y=_{S^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g}y^2=0`$.

Similarly, for the non-trivial bundle $`E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}`$, let $`x,yH^2(E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g})`$ be a basis which are the dual classes of the fiber and the section $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_{}`$ which has self-intersection $`1`$ respectively. Then $`_\mathrm{\Sigma }_{}x=_{E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}}xy=1,_{fiber}y=_{E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}}xy=1,_{fiber}x=_{E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}}x^2=0,_\mathrm{\Sigma }_{}y=_{E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}}y^2=1`$.

Now symplectically cut the manifold (\[L\]) at a regular value $`a`$ of $`\varphi `$ above the minimum surface (in a small neighborhood, such that there are no other critical sets). We get a space whose interior is diffeomorphic to $`\varphi ^1(\text{minimal},a)`$, whose boundary is $`M_a`$. This space has a Hamiltonian circle action such that it has the same surface as the minimum and it has $`M_a`$ as the maximum. The surface minimum has the same normal bundle as it does in $`M`$, and the maximum has normal bundle $`P_a`$.
Let $`b_{min}`$ be the 1st Chern number of the normal bundle of the minimum surface, and let $`e(P_a)`$ be the ordinary Euler class of $`P_a`$. Integrate $`1`$ on the cut space:

$$_{M_a}\frac{1}{\lambda e(P_a)}+_{\text{min}}\frac{1}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}=0.$$

We have

(9)
$$_{M_a}e^2(P_a)+b_{min}=0.$$

Let’s assume $`e(P_a)=px+qy`$. Since the restriction of the circle bundle (1) to the fiber is the Hopf fibration

$$\begin{array}{ccc}S^1& & S^3\hfill \\ & & \hfill \\ & & S^2,\hfill \end{array}$$

so $`_{fiber}e(P_a)=_{M_a}(px+qy)x=q=1.`$

By (9), if $`M_aS^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$, then $`p=\frac{b_{min}}{2}`$, so $`b_{min}`$ is even. If $`M_aE_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}`$, then $`p=\frac{b_{min}1}{2}`$, so $`b_{min}`$ is odd. So we have proved the following:

###### Lemma 6.

If the minimum is a surface $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$ with 1st Chern number $`b_{min}`$ of it’s normal bundle, then $`M_a`$ (a above the minimum) is diffeomorphic to $`S^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$ if and only if $`b_{min}=2k`$ is even, and it is diffeomorphic to $`E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}`$ if and only if $`b_{min}=2k+1`$ is odd. In either case, $`e(P_a)=kxy`$.

We can prove similarly the following:

###### Lemma 7.

If the maximum is a surface $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$ with 1st Chern number $`b_{max}`$ of it’s normal bundle, then $`M_a`$ (a below the maximum) is diffeomorphic to $`S^2\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$ if and only if $`b_{max}=2k^{}`$ is even, and it is diffeomorphic to $`E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}`$ if and only if $`b_{max}=2k^{}+1`$ is odd. In either case, $`e(P_a)=k^{}x+y`$.

Proof of Lemma 5:

###### Proof.

In (iv), since $`M_{red}`$ can only change by a diffeomorphism and a blow down, and $`M_{red}`$ at a regular value below the maximum is diffeomorphic to $`P^2`$, so $`M_{red}`$ at a regular value above the minimum has to be diffeomorphic to $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$. Hence we can assume $`b_{min}=2k+1`$. Let $`g`$ be the genus of the index 2 surface.

Assume first that $`\varphi `$ crosses the index 4 point before it crosses the index 2 surface $`S`$, i.e., $`M_{red}`$ changes from $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$ to $`P^2`$ and remains to be $`P^2`$ after $`\varphi `$ crosses the index 2 surface.

Let $`x,y`$ be the basis of $`H^2(\stackrel{~}{P^2})`$ as taken above. After blow down, $`x+yH^2(P^2)`$ is the generator. If $`\eta =a(x+y)`$ is the dual class of the index 2 fixed surface in $`P^2`$, then by (2) and (7), we have

$$(kxy)+y+a(x+y)=x+y.$$

So

$$a=1,k=0.$$

By(4), if $`a=1`$, then $`g=0`$, i.e., the index 2 surface is a sphere. And we have $`b_{min}=1`$ in this case.

Next assume $`\varphi `$ crosses the index 2 surface first, and then the index 4 point. This time the index 2 genus $`g`$ surface is symplectically embedded in $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$. Let $`\eta =cx+dy`$ be the dual class of the embedded image of it in $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$, then

$$(kxy)+(cx+dy)+y=x+y.$$

This gives

$$d=1,k+c=1.$$

If $`d=1`$, then (8) gives $`g=0`$, i.e., the index 2 surface is a sphere. And the dual class of the index 2 sphere in $`\stackrel{~}{P^2}`$ is $`\eta =(1k)x+y`$.

So we get manifold of type (3) with $`b_{min}=2k+1`$. ∎

###### Remark 4.

Note that if we have manifold(s) of type (3), we also have manifolds with the reverse $`S^1`$ action.

### 2.3. The minimum and the maximum are surfaces

The reduced space only changes by blowing up a point or blowing down an exceptional sphere, or by a diffeomorphism. Neither of these operations will change $`\pi _1`$ or $`H^1`$ of the reduced space, so the minimum and the maximum must have the same genus in order to keep $`\pi _1`$ or $`H^1`$ of the reduced space at regular values above the minimum and below the maximum the same.

For $`\mathrm{dim}`$ $`H^2(M)<3`$, there are 3 possibilities:
(v)The minimum and the maximum with the same genus $`g`$ and no other fixed point sets.
(vi)The minimum and the maximum with the same genus $`g`$, 1 index 2 isolated point and 1 index 4 isolated point.
(vii)The minimum and the maximum with the same genus $`g`$ and an index 2 surface with genus $`g_1`$.

About (v), we can prove the following lemma:

###### Lemma 8.

If the minimum surface and the maximum surface are the only fixed point sets, then they must be spheres with $`b_{min}=b_{max}=2`$, and there is a twist in this case.

###### Proof.

This follows immediately from Lemma 6 and Lemma 7: if there were no twist, then $`kxy=k^{}x+y`$ which can not be true. Only when there is a twist, i.e., $`kxy=k^{}y+x`$, (v) is possible. Then $`k=k^{}=1`$. ∎

This is manifold of type (4) in Theorem 1.

###### Lemma 9.

In (vi), $`g=0`$ and $`b_{min}=b_{max}=1`$.

This is manifold of type (5) in Theorem 1.

###### Proof.

Now let’s compute the 1st Chern numbers of the normal bundles of the minimum and the maximum:

Integrate $`1`$ on $`M`$:

$$_{\text{min}}\frac{1}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}+_{\text{max}}\frac{1}{\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u}+\frac{1}{\lambda ^3}+\frac{1}{\lambda ^3}=0.$$

We get

$$b_{max}=b_{min}.$$

Integrate the equivariant 1st Chern class $`c_1(TM)`$ on $`M`$:

$$_{\text{min}}\frac{2\lambda +(22g)u+b_{min}u}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}+_{\text{max}}\frac{2\lambda +(22g)u+b_{max}u}{\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u}+\frac{\lambda }{\lambda ^3}$$

$$+\frac{\lambda }{\lambda ^3}=0.$$

We get

$$b_{min}+b_{max}=24g.$$

Combine the above 2 equations, we get

$$b_{max}=b_{min}=12g.$$

So $`M_{red}`$ at regular values above the minimum and below the maximum are the nontrivial $`S^2`$ bundle over the surface.

If $`g=0`$, there are 2 possible orders for the moment map to cross the critical sets: (a) the index 4 point first, (b) the index 2 point first.

For (a), the reduced spaces change in the following way:

By Lemma 6, Lemma 7, (7) and (6), the Euler classes of the circle bundles change:

$$y+y+u=u.$$

For (b), the reduced spaces change in the following way:

Similarly, the Euler classes of the circle bundles change:

$$y+u+w=u,$$

where $`\beta ^{}y=w`$.

For $`g>0`$, since there is no exceptional sphere to blow down in the reduced space $`E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}`$ at a regular value above the minimum, the moment map has to cross the index 2 point first. The reduced space changes by blowing up a point in $`E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}`$, then blowing down an exceptional sphere. Since after blow down, $`M_{red}`$ must be $`E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}`$, the exceptional sphere obtained by blowing up must be blown down. Analyze it as in the above (b), we will see that the circle bundles change doesn’t satisfy the right formula. So $`g>0`$ can’t be true. ∎

About (vii), we can prove the following lemmas:

###### Lemma 10.

Assume the fixed point sets are 3 surfaces and there is no twist. Let $`g`$ and $`g_1`$ be the genus of the minimum (maximum) and the index 2 surface respectively, and let $`b_{min}=n`$. Then $`b_{max}=n2(1+g_12g)`$; $`\eta =(1+g_12g)x+2y`$ for even $`n`$, and $`\eta =(2+g_12g)x+2y`$ for odd $`n`$. ($`\eta `$ is the dual class of the index 2 surface in $`M_{red}`$.)

###### Lemma 11.

Assume the fixed point sets are 3 surfaces and there is a twist. Then the surfaces are all spheres, and either $`b_{min}=0`$, $`b_{max}=n^{}=2k^{}`$ and $`\eta =x+(1\frac{n^{}}{2})y`$ or $`b_{min}=n0`$ ($`n`$ is even), then $`b_{max}=0`$ and $`\eta =(1\frac{n}{2})x+y`$.

Proof of Lemma 10:

###### Proof.

If $`b_{min}=n=2k`$ ( or $`2k+1`$), $`b_{max}=n^{}=2k^{}`$ ( or $`2k^{}+1`$) are even (or odd), then $`M_{red}`$ is diffeomorphic to the trivial $`S^2`$ bundle over the Riemann surface $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$, $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_g\times S^2`$ ( or the nontrivial $`S^2`$ bundle over $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_g`$, $`E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}`$). Let $`\eta =cx+dy`$ be the dual class of the embedded image of the index 2 surface in the reduced space, by (2), Lemma 6 and Lemma 7, we have

(10)
$$kxy+(cx+dy)=k^{}x+y.$$

So $`d=2,c=k^{}k.`$

The genus $`g_1`$ surface is embedded in $`M_{red}`$, the adjunction formula gives

$$_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g\times S^2}(cx+dy)^2_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g\times S^2}(cx+dy)((22g)x+2y)+2=2g_1,$$

$$(\text{or}_{E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}}(cx+dy)^2_{E_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_g}}(cx+dy)((32g)x+2y)+2=2g_1,)$$

i.e.,

(11)
$$cdc(1g)d+1=g_1.$$

$$(\text{or}2cdd^22c(32g)d+2d+2=2g_1.)$$

Since $`d=2`$, so $`c=1+g_12g`$ ( or $`c=2+g_12g`$). Hence

$`\eta =(1+g_12g)x+2y`$ ( or $`\eta =(2+g_12g)x+2y`$).

From $`k^{}=kc`$, we get $`n^{}=n2(1+g_12g)`$. ( Same for odd case.)

Proof of Lemma 11:

###### Proof.

We have seen that in this case, $`g=0`$ and $`b_{min}=n=2k,b_{max}=n^{}=2k^{}`$ are even, and $`M_{red}S^2\times S^2`$. Note also that there is a twist. So (10) becomes

$$kxy+(cx+dy)=k^{}y+x,$$

i.e.,

$$c=1k,d=1k^{}.$$

In (11), take $`g=0`$, then

$$cdcd+1=g_1.$$

Combine the above equations, we have $`kk^{}=g_1.`$ If $`k=0`$ (or $`k^{}=0`$), then $`g_1=0`$ (i.e., if $`b_{min}=0`$ or $`b_{max}=0`$, then the fixed point sets are 3 spheres). Then $`\eta =x+(1k^{})y`$. If $`k0`$, then $`k^{}=\frac{g_1}{k}`$. So $`\eta =(1\frac{n}{2})x+(1\frac{2g_1}{n})y`$.

We will compute the cohomology class of the reduced symplectic form at the index 2 critical level and make sure this class does contain a symplectic form. We will use the fact that the index 2 surface is a symplectic submanifold in the reduced space, and the fact that the size of the maximum is positive. We will see that $`g_1>0`$ can not be true. So $`g_1`$=0.

In detail, assume $`\alpha _0`$ is the size of the minimum, $`t_0`$ is the distance between the minimum and the index 2 surface, and $`t_1`$ is the distance between the index 2 surface and the maximum. For convenience, let’s use the following picture (the left hand side data are the Euler classes of the principal circle bundles over $`M_{red}`$).

By Duistermmat-Heckman formula, when $`0<tt_0`$, we have $`[\omega _t]=(\alpha _0kt)x+ty`$. So we need

$$\alpha _0>kt_0$$

to make the classes contain symplectic forms.

We also need

$$_Z\omega _{t_0}=\alpha _0+(12k)t_0+g_1t_0\frac{g_1}{k}\alpha _0>0.$$

When $`0tt_1`$, we have $`[\omega _t]=(\alpha _0kt_0t)x+(t_0+\frac{g_1}{k}t)y`$. At $`t=t_1`$, we need $`\alpha _0kt_0t_1=0`$, and $`t_0+\frac{g_1}{k}t_1>0.`$ So

$$t_1=\alpha _0kt_0,\text{and}\frac{g_1}{k}\alpha _0g_1t_0+t_0>0.$$

In summary, we need

$$\alpha _0>kt_0,\text{and}\alpha _0+(2n)t_0>\frac{g_1}{k}\alpha _0g_1t_0+t_0>0.$$

Now assume that $`g_1>0`$, the second part of the second inequality says $`k>0`$. The second inequality is

$$\alpha _0+t_0+g_1t_0nt_0\frac{g_1}{k}\alpha _0>0.$$

Since $`g_1>0,k>0`$ and $`\frac{g_1}{k}`$ should be an integer, so we can assume $`\frac{g_1}{k}=m1`$. The last inequality implies

$$t_0(1k)+(1m)(\alpha _0kt_0)>0.$$

According to the choice, this is not possible. Therefore $`g_1=0`$. ∎

This completes the proof of Theorem 1.

## 3. Proof of Proposition 1

Let $`S`$ be a fixed surface of index 2, and $`S\varphi ^1(c)`$ be the only fixed point set on this level. The normal bundle of $`S`$ in $`M`$ splits into two line bundles: the positive normal bundle $`E_+`$ and the negative normal bundle $`E_{}`$. By \[Mc\], the normal bundle of $`i(S)=Z`$ in $`M_{red}`$ is $`E_+E_{}`$. So if $`b_+`$ and $`b_{}`$ are the Euler numbers of $`E_+`$ and $`E_{}`$ respectively and $`\eta `$ is the dual class of $`Z`$ in $`M_{red}`$, then

(12)
$$b_++b_{}=_{M_{red}}\eta ^2.$$

Let’s look at the symplectic cutting (\[L\]) in a neighborhood of the critical level $`c`$, we get a 6-dimensional space $`M_{cϵ}^{c+ϵ}`$ whose interior is diffeomorphic to $`\varphi ^1(cϵ,c+ϵ)`$, whose boundary is $`M_{cϵ}M_{c+ϵ}`$. It has 3 fixed point set components: $`M_{cϵ}`$ as the minimum with normal bundle $`P_{cϵ}`$, the index 2 surface $`S`$ with normal bundles $`E_+`$ and $`E_{}`$, and $`M_{c+ϵ}`$ as the maximum with normal bundle $`P_{c+ϵ}`$.

On this space, integrate 1:

$$_{M_{cϵ}}\frac{1}{\lambda +e(P_{cϵ})}+_{M_{c+ϵ}}\frac{1}{\lambda e(P_{c+ϵ})}+_S\frac{1}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}=0.$$

This gives

(13)
$$b_+b_{}=_{M_{c+ϵ}}e^2(P_{c+ϵ})_{M_{cϵ}}e^2(P_{cϵ}).$$

###### Remark 5.

If there are other fixed point sets on the same level as $`S`$, then (13) is different, and $`e(P_{c+ϵ})`$ and $`e(P_{cϵ})`$ will change accordingly.

Use (2), (6) and (7) if necessary, it is easy to know $`e(P_{cϵ})`$ and $`e(P_{c+ϵ})`$ for each critical level $`c`$ on which the index 2 surface is.

Then apply (12) and (13), we can obtain:

For manifold of type (1): $`b_+=b_{}=2`$.

For manifold of type (2): $`b_{}^I=1,b_+^I=0,b_{}^\mathrm{\Pi }=0,b_+^\mathrm{\Pi }=1`$, where $`I`$ and $`\mathrm{\Pi }`$ denote the first and second index 2 sphere respectively.

For manifold of type (3): $`b_+=1,b_{}=1n`$, where $`b_{min}=n=2k+1`$.

For manifold of type (6a): $`b_+=n+3(1+g_12g),b_{}=n+(1+g_12g)`$.

For manifold of type (6b): if $`b_{min}=0`$, then $`b_+=1n^{},b_{}=1`$; if $`b_{min}=n0`$, then $`b_+=1,b_{}=1n`$.

## 4. Proof of Theorem 2

Let $`S^1`$ act on a compact symplectic manifold $`M`$ with moment map $`\varphi `$. Kirwan (\[K\]) shows that the inclusion of the fixed point sets to the manifold $`M^{S^1}M`$ induces an injection $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)H_{S^1}^{}(M^{S^1},)`$. If the cohomology of the fixed point sets has no $`p`$ torsion for any prime $`p`$, or the action is semi-free, Tolman and Weitsman (\[TW2\]) show that this is also true for integral cohomology.

So we want to determine $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)|_{M^{S^1}}`$.

To compute $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)|_{M^{S^1}}`$, let’s consider the equivariant Morse stratification. Put an $`S^1`$ invariant Hermitian metric on $`M`$ and look at the flow of the gradient vector field. The unstable manifolds corresponding to the fixed point sets form a Morse stratification of $`M`$. The Thom classes of the stratification is a basis of $`H^{}(M,)`$ (this is also true for the negative gradient flow). Since the Morse stratification is invariant under the circle action, we have the equivariant Morse stratification, and the corresponding equivariant Thom classes give a basis of $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)`$ as a $`H_{S^1}^{}(pt)`$ module. For each fixed point set component $`F`$ with index $`i`$, there is a class $`\alpha H_{S^1}^{}(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha |_F`$ is the equivariant Thom class of the negative normal bundle of $`F`$, and the restrictions of $`\alpha `$ to the fixed point sets with lower indices are zero. The restriction of this class to the fixed point set with the same index depends, but we can make a proper choice. The equivariant integration formula allows us to obtain this and the restrictions of this class to the fixed point sets with higher indices. So we can completely determine $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)|_{M^{S^1}}`$ (See \[K\] for general idea about the basis).

In detail, we will give this basis explicitly for each of the manifolds we obtained.

Proof of Theorem 2:

###### Proof.

Let $`\lambda H_{S^1}^2(pt)`$ and $`uH^2(\text{surface})`$ be generators.

For manifold of type (1), let’s label the minimum by $`F_1`$, the sphere by $`F_2`$, and the maximum by $`F_3`$.

The basis of $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)`$ given by \[K\] is:
$`\alpha _1H_{S^1}^0(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _11.`$
$`\alpha _2H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _2|_{F_2}=\lambda +b_{}u=\lambda +2u`$, and $`\alpha _2|_{F_1}=0`$. $`\alpha _2|_{F_3}`$ needs to be determined.
$`\alpha _2^{}H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_2}=\lambda u`$, and $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_1}=0`$. $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_3}`$ needs to be determined.
$`\alpha _3H_{S^1}^6(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _3|_{F_3}=\lambda ^3`$, and $`\alpha _3|_{F_1}=\alpha _3|_{F_2}=0.`$
Now use integration formula to compute the unknowns. ( the denominators are always the equivariant Euler classes of the normal bundles of the fixed point sets.)

Integrate $`\alpha _2^{}`$ on $`M`$:

$$\frac{\alpha _2^{}|_{F_3}}{\lambda ^3}+_{F_2}\frac{\lambda u}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}+0=0.$$

We get $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_3}=\lambda ^2.`$

Integrate $`\alpha _2`$ on $`M`$:

$$\frac{\alpha _2|_{F_3}}{\lambda ^3}+_{F_2}\frac{\lambda +b_{}u}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}+0=0.$$

We get $`\alpha _2|_{F_3}=2\lambda .`$ (Note that $`b_+=2`$.)

So the equivariant cohomology ring is uniquely determined.

For manifold of type (2), let’s label the minimum by $`F_1`$, the first sphere by $`F_2`$, the second sphere by $`F_3`$, and the maximum by $`F_4`$.

The basis of $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)`$ is:
$`\alpha _1H_{S^1}^0(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _11.`$
$`\alpha _2H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _2|_{F_2}=\lambda +b_{}^Iu=\lambda +u`$, and $`\alpha _2|_{F_1}=0.`$
$`\alpha _3H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _3|_{F_3}=\lambda +b_{}^\mathrm{\Pi }u=\lambda `$, and $`\alpha _3|_{F_1,F_2}=0.`$
$`\alpha _2^{}H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_2}=\lambda u`$, and $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_1}=\alpha _2^{}|_{F_3}=0.`$
$`\alpha _3^{}H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _3^{}|_{F_3}=\lambda u`$, and $`\alpha _3^{}|_{F_1}=\alpha _3^{}|_{F_2}=0.`$
$`\alpha _4H_{S^1}^6(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _4|_{F_4}=\lambda ^3`$, and $`\alpha _4|_{F_1,F_2,F_3}=0.`$

Integrate $`\alpha _3^{}`$ on $`M`$, we get

$$\alpha _3^{}|_{F_4}=\lambda ^2.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _2^{}`$ on $`M`$, we get

$$\alpha _2^{}|_{F_4}=\lambda ^2.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _3`$ on $`M`$, we get

$$\alpha _3|_{F_4}=\lambda .$$

Assume $`\alpha _2|_{F_3}=cu,\alpha _2|_{F_4}=d\lambda `$.

Integrate $`\alpha _2`$ on $`M`$, we get

$$dc=0.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _2c_1(TM)`$, we get

$`\frac{d\lambda (3\lambda )}{\lambda ^3}+_{F_3}\frac{cu(2u+(b_+^\mathrm{\Pi }+b_{}^\mathrm{\Pi })u)}{(\lambda +u)(\lambda +0)}+_{F_2}\frac{(\lambda +u)(2u+(b_+^I+b_{}^I)u)}{(\lambda +0)(\lambda +u)}+0=0.`$

We get $`d=1,c=1.`$ Hence, $`\alpha _2|_{F_4}=\lambda ,\alpha _2|_{F_3}=u.`$

The equivariant cohomology ring is uniquely determined.

For manifolds of type (3), let’s label the critical sets as: $`F_1`$ for the minimum, $`F_2`$ for the index 2 sphere, $`F_3`$ for the index 4 point, and $`F_4`$ for the maximum.

We have the following basis for $`H_{S^1}^{}(M,)`$:
$`\alpha _1H_{S^1}^0(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _11.`$
$`\alpha _1^{}H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_1}=u`$. we need to compute the restrictions of $`\alpha _1^{}`$ to the other fixed point sets.
$`\alpha _2H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _2|_{F_2}=\lambda +b_{}u`$, and $`\alpha _2|_{F_1}=0`$. The restrictions of $`\alpha _2`$ to the other fixed point sets need to be determined.
$`\alpha _2^{}H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_2}=\lambda u`$, and $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_1,F_3}=0`$. $`\alpha _2^{}|F_4`$ needs to be determined.
$`\alpha _3H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _3|_{F_3}=\lambda ^2`$, and $`\alpha _3|_{F_1,F_2}=0`$. $`\alpha _3|_{F_4}`$ needs to be determined.
$`\alpha _4H_{S^1}^6(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _4|_{F_4}=\lambda ^3`$, and $`\alpha _4|_{F_1,F_2,F_3}=0.`$

Integrate $`\alpha _2^{}`$:

$$\frac{\alpha _2^{}|_{F_4}}{\lambda ^3}+_{F_2}\frac{\lambda u}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}=0.$$

We get

$$\alpha _2^{}|_{F_4}=\lambda ^2.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _3`$:

$$\frac{\alpha _3|_{F_4}}{\lambda ^3}+\frac{\lambda ^2}{\lambda ^3}=0.$$

We get

$$\alpha _3|_{F_4}=\lambda ^2.$$

We can assume $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_4}=a\lambda ,\alpha _1^{}|_{F_3}=b\lambda `$, and $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_2}=cu`$.

Integrate $`\alpha _1^{}`$:

$$\frac{a\lambda }{\lambda ^3}+\frac{b\lambda }{\lambda ^3}+_{F_2}\frac{cu}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}+_{F_1}\frac{u}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}=0.$$

We get

$$a+bc+1=0.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _1^{}c_1(TM)`$:

$$\frac{a\lambda (3\lambda )}{\lambda ^3}+\frac{b\lambda (\lambda )}{\lambda ^3}+_{F_2}\frac{cu(2+b_++b_{})u}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}$$

$$+_{F_1}\frac{u(2\lambda +2u+b_{min}u)}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}=0.$$

We get

$$3ab+2=0.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _{1}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}`$:

$$\frac{a^2\lambda ^2}{\lambda ^3}+\frac{b^2\lambda ^2}{\lambda ^3}+0+0=0.$$

We get

$$a^2=b^2.$$

Combine the above 3 equations, we can get the only integer solution:

$$a=b=1,c=1.$$

We can assume $`\alpha _2|_{F_4}=d\lambda `$, and $`\alpha _2|_{F_3}=e\lambda `$. Similar to the above, integrate $`\alpha _2`$ and $`\alpha _2c_1(TM)`$, we obtain

$$d=\frac{2+b_{}}{2},e=\frac{b_{}}{2}.$$

We can also integrate $`\alpha _2^2`$ and $`\alpha _2\alpha _1^{}`$ to get another 2 equations, one can check that the above solutions will satisfy these 2 equations.

So we see that the fixed point data determines the equivariant cohomology ring.

Due to similar computations, we will omit some detailed calculations for manifolds of type (4) and (5).

For manifold of type (4), let’s call the maximum $`F_1`$, and the minimum $`F_2`$. Note that $`b_{max}=b_{min}=2`$.

The basis is:
$`\alpha _2H_{S^1}^0(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _21`$.
$`\alpha _2^{}H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_2}=u`$, and $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_1}=a\lambda +bu`$, where $`a,b`$ need to be determined.
$`\alpha _1H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _1|_{F_1}=\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u=\lambda ^22\lambda u`$, and $`\alpha _1|_{F_2}=0.`$
$`\alpha _1^{}H_{S^1}^6(M,)`$ such that $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_1}=\lambda ^2u`$, and $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_2}=0.`$

Integrate $`\alpha _2^{}`$ and $`\alpha _2^{}c_1(TM)`$, we obtain

$$\alpha _2^{}|_{F_1}=\lambda +u.$$

The equivariant cohomology ring is uniquely determined.

For manifold of type (5), let’s label the minimum by $`F_1`$, the index 2 point by $`F_2`$, the index 4 point by $`F_3`$, and the maximum by $`F_4`$.

Note that $`b_{max}=b_{min}=1`$.

The basis is:
$`\alpha _1H_{S^1}^0(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _11.`$
$`\alpha _1^{}H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_1}=u,\alpha _1^{}|_{F_2}=0`$, $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_3}=a\lambda ,`$ and $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_4}=b\lambda +cu`$.
$`\alpha _2H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _2|_{F_2}=\lambda ,\alpha _2|_{F_1}=0,\alpha _2|_{F_3}=d\lambda ,`$ and $`\alpha _2|_{F_4}=e\lambda +fu.`$
$`\alpha _3H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _3|_{F_3}=\lambda ^2,\alpha _3|_{F_2,F_1}=0`$, and $`\alpha _3|_{F_4}=g\lambda u`$.
$`\alpha _4H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _4|_{F_4}=\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u=\lambda ^2\lambda u`$, and $`\alpha _4|_{F_1,F_2,F_3}=0.`$
$`\alpha _4^{}H_{S^1}^6(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _4^{}|_{F_4}=\lambda ^2u`$, and $`\alpha _4^{}|_{F_1,F_2,F_3}=0.`$
Where $`a,b,c,d,e,f,g`$ need to be determined.

Integrate $`\alpha _3`$, we get

$$\alpha _3|_{F_4}=\lambda u.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _1^{}`$, $`\alpha _1^{}c_1(TM)`$ and $`(\alpha _1^{})^2`$, we get

$$\alpha _1^{}|_{F_4}=\lambda +u,\alpha _1^{}|_{F_3}=\lambda .$$

Similarly, integrate $`\alpha _2`$, $`\alpha _2c_1(TM)`$ and $`(\alpha _2)^2`$, we get

$$\alpha _2|_{F_4}=\lambda ,\alpha _2|_{F_3}=0.$$

(If we integrate $`\alpha _2\alpha _1^{}`$, we will see that the above solutions satisfy this equation.)

Hence the fixed point data determines the equivariant cohomology ring.

For manifolds of type (6a) and (6b), let’s label the minimum surface by $`F_1`$, the index 2 surface by $`F_2`$, and the maximum surface by $`F_3`$.

The basis is:
$`\alpha _1H_{S^1}^0(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _11.`$
$`\alpha _1^{}H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_1}=u,\alpha _1^{}|_{F_2}=\stackrel{~}{d}u`$, and $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_3}=e\lambda +fu`$, where $`\stackrel{~}{d},e,f`$ will be determined.
$`\alpha _2H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _2|_{F_2}=\lambda +b_{}u,\alpha _2|_{F_1}=0`$, and $`\alpha _2|_{F_3}=a\lambda +bu`$, where $`a,b`$ need to be determined.
$`\alpha _2^{}H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_2}=\lambda u,\alpha _2^{}|_{F_1}=0`$, and $`\alpha _2^{}|_{F_3}=c\lambda u`$, where $`c`$ needs to be determined.
$`\alpha _3H_{S^1}^4(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _3|_{F_3}=\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u`$, and $`\alpha _3|_{F_1,F_2}=0.`$
$`\alpha _3^{}H_{S^1}^6(M,)`$, such that $`\alpha _3^{}|_{F_3}=\lambda ^2u,\alpha _3^{}|_{F_1}=0`$, and $`\alpha _3^{}|_{F_2}=0.`$

Integrate $`\alpha _2^{}`$, we obtain

$$\alpha _2^{}|_{F_3}=\lambda u.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _1^{}`$:

$$_{F_1}\frac{u}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}+_{F_2}\frac{\stackrel{~}{d}u}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}+_{F_3}\frac{e\lambda +fu}{\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u}=0.$$

We get

(14)
$$b_{max}e+f\stackrel{~}{d}+1=0.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _1^{}c_1(TM)`$:

$$_{F_1}\frac{u(2\lambda +(22g)u+b_{min}u)}{\lambda ^2+b_{min}\lambda u}+_{F_2}\frac{\stackrel{~}{d}u((22g_1)u+(b_++b_{})u)}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}$$

$$+_{F_3}\frac{(e\lambda +fu)(2\lambda +(22g)u+b_{max}u)}{\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u}=0.$$

We get

(15)
$$(22gb_{max})e2f+2=0.$$

Integrate $`(\alpha _1^{})^2`$:

$$_{F_3}\frac{(e\lambda +fu)^2}{\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u}+0+0=0.$$

We get

(16)
$$b_{max}e^2+2ef=0.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _1^{}\alpha _2`$:

$$_{F_3}\frac{(a\lambda +bu)(e\lambda +fu)}{\lambda ^2b_{max}\lambda u}+_{F_2}\frac{\stackrel{~}{d}u(\lambda +b_{}u)}{(\lambda +b_+u)(\lambda +b_{}u)}+0=0.$$

We get

(17)
$$b_{max}ae+(af+be)+\stackrel{~}{d}=0.$$

Similarly, integrate $`\alpha _2`$, we get

(18)
$$b_{max}a+bb_+=0.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _2c_1(TM)`$, we get

(19)
$$(22gb_{max})a2b+22g_1+(b_++b_{})=0.$$

Integrate $`\alpha _2^2`$, we get

(20)
$$b_{max}a^2+2ab+(b_++b_{})=0.$$

Note that in the above computation, for manifolds of type (6b), $`b_{max}=0,g=g_1=0`$.

If we solve the equations directly, we will get multiple solutions. Hence we need the following lemma to finish the proof.

###### Lemma 12.

Assume the fixed point set consists of 3 surfaces and $`b_{min}`$ is even. Let $`F_2`$ be the index 2 surface. Let $`\alpha _1^{}H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$ be the class such that $`\alpha _1^{}|_{\text{min}}=u`$, $`\alpha _1^{}|_{F_2}=\stackrel{~}{d}u`$ and $`\alpha _1^{}|_{\text{max}}=e\lambda +fu`$. Then we always have $`\stackrel{~}{d}=d`$, where $`d`$ is the $`y`$ coefficient of the dual class of the index 2 surface in $`M_{red}`$. Moreover, for the non-twisted case $`e=0`$, and for the twisted case $`e=1`$.

###### Proof.

Let’s assume $`\varphi (M)=[0,h]`$, and let $`\varphi (F_2)=r`$.

Consider the following commutative diagram

$$\begin{array}{ccc}H_{S^1}^{}(M)& & H_{S^1}^{}(\varphi ^1(ϵ))\\ & & \\ H_{S^1}^{}(F_2)& & \\ & & \\ H^{}(F_2)& & H^{}(M_{red})\end{array}$$

where $`ϵ<r`$. The two downward maps on the left clearly map $`\alpha _1^{}`$ to $`\stackrel{~}{d}u`$ which is an ordinary cohomology class. Let’s denote the composition of the downward map on the right with the rightward map by $`\kappa `$.

Now consider $`\alpha _1^{}`$ in the neighborhood $`\varphi ϵ`$, according to the choice of $`\alpha _1^{}`$, it is an ordinary cohomology class in this neighborhood, and $`_{\text{min}}\alpha _1^{}=1`$, so its image in the reduced space is the dual class of the fiber $`S^2`$, which is $`x`$.

$$\kappa (\alpha _1^{})=x.$$

Regarding the leftward map, it is induced by the following embedding

$$F_2M_{red}.$$

So

$$_{F_2}(\stackrel{~}{d}u)=\stackrel{~}{d}=_{M_{red}}\kappa (\alpha _1^{})\eta =_{M_{red}}x(cx+dy)=d.$$

Since there is a natural diffeomorphism between the reduced spaces at different regular values, the image of $`\alpha _1^{}`$ in each reduced space remains the same.

To prove the second statement, we need to consider another cohomology class $`\beta H_{S^1}^2(M)`$ for the downward flow (or for the Morse function $`\varphi `$), such that $`\beta |_{\text{max}}=u`$. We can similarly prove that for the non-twisted case, $`\kappa (\beta )=x`$, for the twisted case, $`\kappa (\beta )=y`$.

Integrate $`(\alpha _1^{}\beta )`$ over $`\overline{M}_{hϵ}`$, (the cut space including the maximum.) (see \[L\] or \[Ka\]), we get:
For the non-twisted case,

$$_{M_{red}}\frac{xx}{\lambda +e(P_{hϵ})}=0=_{\text{max}}\frac{(e\lambda +fu)u}{\lambda ^2n^{}\lambda u}=e.$$

For the twisted case,

$$_{M_{red}}\frac{xy}{\lambda +e(P_{hϵ})}=1=_{\text{max}}\frac{(e\lambda +fu)u}{\lambda ^2n^{}\lambda u}=e.$$

The solution for type (6a):

$$a=2,b=n(1+g_12g),e=0,f=1,\stackrel{~}{d}=2.$$

The solution for type (6b):
For $`b_{min}=n=0`$, we have

$$a=1,b=1,\stackrel{~}{d}=1\frac{n^{}}{2},e=1,f=\frac{n^{}}{2}.$$

For $`b_{min}=n0`$, we have

$$a=\frac{n2}{2},b=1,e=1,f=0,\stackrel{~}{d}=1.$$

Therefore, the equivariant cohomology rings of manifolds of type (6a) and type (6b) are determined by the fixed point data.

## 5. Proof of Proposition 2

###### Lemma 13.

(See \[Li\]) Manifolds of type (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6b) are simply connected. Manifolds of type (6a) with $`g=0`$ are simply connected, they are not otherwise.

###### Lemma 14.

The manifolds in Theorem 1 have no torsion homology.

###### Proof.

This is because the fixed point sets have no torsion homology. See \[F\]. ∎

###### Lemma 15.

Let $`c_1(TM)`$ be the equivariant 1st Chern class of $`M`$. Let $`\alpha _11H_{S^1}^{}(M,)`$, and let $`\alpha _2`$, $`\alpha _3`$,… be a basis of $`H_{S^1}^2(M,)`$. If $`c_1(TM)=n_1\lambda \alpha _1+n_2\alpha _2+n_3\alpha _3+\mathrm{}`$, and $`n_2,n_3,\mathrm{}`$ are even integers, then $`w_2(M)=0`$.

###### Proof.

Let $`c`$ be the ordinary 1st Chern class of the tangent bundle $`TM`$, then by \[MS\], $`w_2(M)=c`$(mod 2). The lemma follows from this fact. ∎

Assume $`M`$ is of type (1). Then $`c_1(TM)|_{F_1}=3\lambda ,c_1(TM)|_{F_2}=2u+(b_++b_{})u=6u,c_1(TM)|_{F_3}=3\lambda `$. So $`c_1(TM)=3\lambda \alpha _1+3\alpha _2`$. Hence we have $`w_2(M)0`$.

Assume $`M`$ is of type (2). Then $`c_1(TM)=3\lambda \alpha _1+3\alpha _2+3\alpha _3`$. So we see $`w_2(M)0`$.

Assume $`M`$ is of type (3). Then $`c_1(TM)|_{F_1}=2\lambda +2u+nu,c_1(TM)|_{F_2}=2u+(b_++b_{})u=2u+(2n)u,c_1(TM)|_{F_3}=\lambda \lambda +\lambda =\lambda ,c_1(TM)|_{F_4}=3\lambda `$. So $`c_1(TM)=2\lambda \alpha _1+(2+n)\alpha _1^{}+2\alpha _2`$. Since $`n`$ is odd, we have $`w_2(M)0`$.

Assume $`M`$ is of type (4). Then $`c_1(TM)=2\lambda \alpha _2+4\alpha _2^{}`$, so $`w_2=0`$.

Assume $`M`$ is of type (5). Then $`c_1(TM)=2\lambda \alpha _1+3\alpha _1^{}+\alpha _2`$. So $`w_20`$.

Similarly, for $`M`$ of type (6a), $`w_2(M)=0`$ when $`b_{min}`$ is even; for $`M`$ of type (6b), $`w_2=0`$.

Corollary 2 and the lemmas of this section help to check the conditions of Wall’s theorem. Proposition 2 follows from there. Since $`P^3`$ with the circle action in the introduction has the same fixed point data as manifold of type (4), so all manifolds of type (4) are diffeomorphic to $`P^3`$. See next section for the toric variety.

## 6. Toric varieties and Proof of Proposition 3

Let’s recall some basic properties about 6-dimensional toric varieties.

If $`(M^6,\omega )`$ has a Hamiltonian $`T^3`$ action, by Atiyah, Guillemin and Sternberg, the image of the moment map is a 3-dimensional convex polytope in $`^3`$. Conversely, by a theorem of Delzant (\[D\]), if we have a convex polytope in $`^3`$, such that for each vertex, the 3 normal directions of the 3 faces through the vertex span a $``$ basis, then this polytope uniquely determines a 6-dimensional symplectic manifold with a $`T^3`$ Hamiltonian action whose moment map image is exactly the polytope. We call such a polytope a toric variety.

Now if we have a Delzant polytope in $`^3`$, and assume that the 3rd circle of $`T=(S^1)^3`$ is the circle we are considering acting on $`(M^6,\omega )`$, then the image of the moment map of the circle action is the image of the projection of the polytope to the 3rd circle direction, say, the $`z`$ direction in $`^3`$ for the coordinate system $`xyz`$.

Moreover, if we choose the Delzant polytope in $`^3`$, such that with respect to the 3rd circle action, the action is semi-free with the right fixed point sets, then we have a toric variety which corresponds to the manifold.

For this purpose, we need the polytope to satisfy the following conditions:

About the faces: (a) no horizontal faces (b) if a face has normal direction $`(m,n,p)`$, then $`(m,n)=1.`$

About the edges: if an edge has direction $`(m^{},n^{},p^{})`$, then either $`p^{}=0`$, which corresponds to a fixed sphere for the $`S^1`$ action, or $`p^{}=1`$ on which the action is free.

About the vertices: a vertex which is not on a horizontal edge is an isolated fixed point for the $`S^1`$ action.

The toric variety corresponding to manifold of type (4) is:
The normal directions of the faces:
face (1) abd, (1,0,0),
face(2)abc, (m,1,0),
face(3)acd, (m,1,1),
face(4)bcd, (-1,0,-1),
where $`m`$ is an integer (different $`m`$ gives the same toric variety). The picture for $`m=2`$ is

In this picture, the edges bd and ac represent the minimum and the maximum. We saw that the reduced spaces of this manifold are all diffeomorphic to $`S^2\times S^2`$ (see Lemma 6). The intersections of this picture with horizontal planes are the reduced spaces. It is easy to see that different homology classes in $`S^2\times S^2`$ shrink to $`0`$ when we approach the minimum and the maximum.

The toric variety corresponding to manifold of type (6b) with $`b_{min}=2`$ is:
The normal directions of the faces:
face(1)abd: (1,0,0),
face(2)aceb: (m,1,0),
face(3)acgd: (m,1,1),
face(4)cge: (-1,0,0),
face(5)bdge:(-1,0,-1),
where $`m`$ is an integer.

The picture for $`m=2`$ is

Notice that since manifold (4) is diffeomorphic to $`P^3`$, this manifold is diffeomorphic to $`P^3`$ blown up at a point.

For manifold(s) of type (3), when $`b_{min}=1`$ or $`b_{min}=3`$, we have the following toric varieties.

For $`b_{min}=1`$ ($`b_+=1,b_{}=0`$), the toric variety corresponds to $`P^2\times P^1`$.

Normal directions for the faces:
face (1) abd: (1,0,0),
face (2) aceb: (m, 1, 0),
face (3)acgd: (m+1,1,1),
face (4)cge: (-1, 0, 0),
face (5)bdge: (-1,0,-1),
where $`m`$ is an integer. A picture of it when $`m=2`$ is:

For $`b_{min}=3`$ ($`b_+=1,b_{}=2`$), the toric variety is:
The normal directions of the faces:
face (1)abd: (1,0,0),
face (2)aceb: (m,1,0),
face (3)acgd: (m-1, 1,1),
face (4) cge: (-1, 0,0),
face (5)bdge: (-1, 0,-1),
where $`m`$ is an integer.

The picture for $`m=2`$ is:

Next we give the two examples mentioned in Remark 1 in the introduction. Here are two toric varieties which have the same fixed point data but one has no twist and the other one has a twist.

The example with no twist is the following.

The normal directions of the faces:
face (1)abcd (1,0,0),
face (2)efgh (-1,0,0),
face (3)bcgf (-1,0,-1),
face (4)abfe (-m,-1,0),
face (5)cghd (m,1,0),
face (6)aehd (1,0,1),
where $`m`$ is an integer. The picture for $`m=2`$ is:

The example with a twist is the following.

The normal directions of the faces:
face (1)abcd (1,0,0),
face (2)efgh (-1,0,0),
face (3)bcgf (-1,0,-1),
face (4)abfe (-m,-1,0),
face (5)cghd (m,1,0),
face (6)aehd (m,1,1),
where $`m`$ is an integer. The picture for $`m=2`$ is:

Notice that these two toric varieties both have 4 fixed spheres (with respect to the circle action) and the Euler numbers of the normal bundles all vanish.


text:
# String and Brane Tensions as Dynamical Degrees of Freedom

## 1 Introduction

In order to build actions describing dynamics in geometrically motivated field theories (for reviews of string and brane theories, see ) we need among other things a consistent generally-covariant integration measure density, i.e., covariant under arbitrary diffeomorphisms (reparametrizations) on the underlying space-time manifold. Usually the natural choice is the standard Riemannian metric density $`\sqrt{g}`$ with $`gdetg_{\mu \nu }`$. However, there are no purely geometric reasons which prevent us from employing an alternative generally-covariant integration measure. For instance, introducing additional $`D`$ scalar fields $`\phi ^i`$ ($`i=1,\mathrm{},D`$ where $`D`$ is the space-time dimension) we may take the following new non-Riemannian measure density $`\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )`$ :

$$\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\frac{1}{D!}\epsilon ^{\mu _1\mathrm{}\mu _D}\epsilon _{i_1\mathrm{}i_D}_{\mu _1}\phi ^{i_1}\mathrm{}_{\mu _D}\phi ^{i_D}.$$
(1)
Using (1) allows to construct new classes of models involving Gravity called Two-Measure Gravitational Models , whose actions are typically of the form:

$$S=d^Dx\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )L_1+d^Dx\sqrt{g}L_2,$$
(2)
$$L_{1,2}=e^{\frac{\alpha \varphi }{M_P}}\left[\frac{1}{\kappa }R(g,\mathrm{\Gamma })\frac{1}{2}g^{\mu \nu }_\mu \varphi _\nu \varphi +\left(\mathrm{Higgs}\right)+\left(\mathrm{fermions}\right)\right].$$
(3)
where $`R(g,\mathrm{\Gamma })`$ is the scalar curvature in the first-order formalism (i.e., the affine connection $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ is independent of the metric), $`\varphi `$ is the dilaton field, $`M_P`$ is the Planck mass, etc.. Although naively the additional “measure-density” scalars $`\phi ^i`$ appear in (2) as pure-gauge degrees of freedom (due to the invariance under arbitrary diffeomorphisms in the $`\phi ^i`$-target space), there is a remnant – the so called “geometric” field $`\zeta (x)\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{g}}`$, which remains an additional dynamical degree of freedom beyond the standard physical degrees of freedom characteristic to the ordinary gravity models with the standard Riemannian-metric integration measure. The most important property of the “geometric” field $`\zeta (x)`$ is that its dynamics is determined only through the matter fields locally (i.e., without gravitational interaction). The latter turns out to have a significant impact on the physical properties of the two-measure gravity models which allows them to address various basic problems in cosmology and particle physics phenomenology and provide physically plausible solutions, for instance: (i) the issue of scale invariance and its dynamical breakdown, i.e., spontaneous generation of dimensionfull fundamental scales; (ii) cosmological constant problem; (iii) geometric origin of fermionic families.

For a recent review of two-measure gravity models see the contribution in this volume . In what follows we are going to apply the above ideas to the case of string and $`p`$-brane models. Part of our exposition is based on earlier works . Furthermore, we will elaborate on various important properties of the modified-measure string and brane models with dynamical string/brane tension.

## 2 Bosonic Strings with a Modified World-Sheet Integration Measure

We begin by first recalling the standard Polyakov-type action for the bosonic string :

$$S_{\mathrm{Pol}}=Td^2\sigma \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{\gamma }\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }(X).$$
(4)
Here $`(\sigma ^0,\sigma ^1)(\tau ,\sigma )`$; $`a,b=0,1`$; $`\mu ,\nu =0,1,\mathrm{},D1`$; $`G_{\mu \nu }`$ denotes the Riemannian metric on the embedding space-time; $`\gamma _{ab}`$ is the intrinsic Riemannian metric on the $`1+1`$-dimensional string world-sheet and $`\gamma =det\gamma _{ab}`$; $`T`$ indicates the string tension – a dimensionfull scale introduced ad hoc. The resulting equations of motion w.r.t. $`\gamma ^{ab}`$ and $`X^\mu `$ read, respectively:

$`T_{ab}\left(_aX^\mu _bX^\nu {\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}\gamma _{ab}\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX^\nu \right)G_{\mu \nu }(X)=0,`$ (5)
$`{\displaystyle \frac{1}{\sqrt{\gamma }}}_a\left(\sqrt{\gamma }\gamma ^{ab}_bX^\mu \right)+\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\nu _bX^\lambda \mathrm{\Gamma }_{\nu \lambda }^\mu =0,`$ (6)
where $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{\nu \lambda }^\mu =\frac{1}{2}G^{\mu \kappa }\left(_\nu G_{\kappa \lambda }+_\lambda G_{\kappa \nu }_\kappa G_{\nu \lambda }\right)`$ is the affine connection for the external metric.

Let us now introduce two additional world-sheet scalar fields $`\phi ^i`$ ($`i=1,2`$) and replace $`\sqrt{\gamma }`$ with a new reparametrization-covariant world-sheet integration measure density $`\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )`$ defined in terms of $`\phi ^i`$ :

$$\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\frac{1}{2}\epsilon _{ij}\epsilon ^{ab}_a\phi ^i_b\phi ^j=\epsilon _{ij}\dot{\phi }^i_\sigma \phi ^j.$$
(7)
However, the naively generalized string action $`S_1=\frac{1}{2}d^2\sigma \mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }(X)`$ has a problem: the equations of motion w.r.t. $`\gamma ^{ab}`$ lead to an unacceptable condition $`\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }(X)=0`$, i.e., vanishing of the induced metric on the world-sheet.

To remedy the above situation let us consider topological (total-derivative) terms w.r.t. standard Riemannian world-sheet integration measure. Upon measure replacement $`\sqrt{\gamma }\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )`$ the former are not any more topological – they will contribute nontrivially to the equations of motion. For instance:

$$d^2\sigma \sqrt{\gamma }Rd^2\sigma \mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )R,R=\frac{\epsilon ^{ab}}{2\sqrt{\gamma }}(_a\omega _b_b\omega _a),$$
(8)
where $`R`$ is the scalar curvature w.r.t. $`D=2`$ spin-connection $`\omega _a^{\overline{a}\overline{b}}=\omega _a\epsilon ^{\overline{a}\overline{b}}`$ (here $`\overline{a},\overline{b}`$ denote tangent space indices). The vector field $`\omega _a`$ behaves as world-sheet Abelian gauge field.

Eq.(8) prompts us to construct the following consistent modified bosonic string action111In ref. another interesting geometric modification of the standard bosonic string model has been proposed, which is based on dynamical world-sheet metric and torsion. :

$$S=d^2\sigma \mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\left[\frac{1}{2}\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }\frac{\epsilon ^{ab}}{2\sqrt{\gamma }}F_{ab}(A)\right],$$
(9)
where $`\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )`$ is given by (7) and $`F_{ab}(A)_aA_b_bA_a`$ is the field-strength of an auxiliary Abelian gauge field $`A_a`$. The action (9) is reparametrization-invariant as its ordinary string analogue (4). Furthermore, (9) is invariant under diffeomorphisms in $`\phi `$-target space supplemented with a special conformal transformation of $`\gamma _{ab}`$ :

$$\phi ^i\phi ^i=\phi ^i(\phi ),\gamma _{ab}\gamma _{ab}^{}=J\gamma _{ab},Jdet\frac{\phi ^i}{\phi ^j}.$$
(10)
The latter symmetry, which we will call $`\mathrm{\Phi }`$-extended Weyl symmetry”, is the counterpart of the ordinary Weyl conformal symmetry of the standard string action (4).

The equations of motion w.r.t. $`\phi ^i`$ resulting from (9) :

$$\epsilon ^{ab}_b\phi ^i_a\left(\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }(X)\frac{\epsilon ^{cd}}{\sqrt{\gamma }}F_{cd}\right)=0$$
(11)
imply (provided $`\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )0`$) :

$$\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }(X)\frac{\epsilon ^{cd}}{\sqrt{\gamma }}F_{cd}=M\left(=\mathrm{const}\right).$$
(12)
The equations of motion w.r.t. $`\gamma ^{ab}`$ are:

$$T_{ab}_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }(X)\frac{1}{2}\gamma _{ab}\frac{\epsilon ^{cd}}{\sqrt{\gamma }}F_{cd}=0.$$
(13)
Both Eqs.(12)–(13) yield $`M=0`$ and $`\left(_aX^\mu _bX^\nu \frac{1}{2}\gamma _{ab}\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX^\nu \right)G_{\mu \nu }(X)=0`$ , which is the same as in standard Polyakov-type formulation (5).

The equations of motion w.r.t. $`X^\mu `$ read:

$$_a\left(\mathrm{\Phi }\gamma ^{ab}_bX^\mu \right)+\mathrm{\Phi }\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\nu _bX^\lambda \mathrm{\Gamma }_{\nu \lambda }^\mu =0,$$
(14)
where again $`\mathrm{\Gamma }_{\nu \lambda }^\mu `$ is the affine connection corresponding to the external space-time metric $`G_{\mu \nu }`$ as in the standard string case (6).

Most importantly, the equations of motion w.r.t. $`A_a`$ resulting from (9) yield:

$$\epsilon ^{ab}_b\left(\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\right)=0,$$
(15)
which can be integrated to yield a spontaneously induced string tension:

$`{\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}}=\text{const}T.`$
Since the modified-measure string model (9) naturally requires the presence of the auxiliary Abelian world-sheet gauge field $`A_a`$, we may extend it by introducing a coupling of $`A_a`$ to some world-sheet charge current $`j^a`$ :

$$S=d^2\sigma \mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\left[\frac{1}{2}\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }\frac{\epsilon ^{ab}}{2\sqrt{\gamma }}F_{ab}(A)\right]+A_aj^a.$$
(16)
In particular, we may take $`j^a`$ to be the current of point-like charges on the string, so that in the “static” gauge:

$$A_aj^a=\underset{i}{}e_i𝑑\tau A_0(\tau ,\sigma _i),$$
(17)
where $`\sigma _i`$ ($`0<\sigma _1<\mathrm{}<\sigma _N2\pi `$) are the locations of the charges. Now, the action (16) produces $`A_a`$-equations of motion:

$$\epsilon ^{ab}_bE+j^a=0,E\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}.$$
(18)
Eqs.(18) look exactly as $`D=2`$ Maxwell equations where the variable dynamical string tension $`E\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }`$ is identified as world-sheet electric field strength, i.e., canonically conjugated momentum w.r.t. $`A_1`$ (the latter fact can be directly verified from the explicit form of the $`A`$-term in the action (9) or (16)).

Remark on Canonical Hamiltonian Treatment. Introducing the canonical momenta resulting from the action (16) :

$`\pi _i^\phi =\epsilon _{ij}_\sigma \phi ^j\left[{\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }{\displaystyle \frac{\epsilon ^{ab}}{2\sqrt{\gamma }}}F_{ab}(A)\right],`$ (19)
$`\pi _{A_1}E={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}},𝒫_\mu =\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\left(\gamma ^{00}\dot{X}^\nu +\gamma ^{01}_\sigma X^\nu \right)G_{\mu \nu },`$ (20)
we obtain the canonical Hamiltonian as a linear combination of first-class constraints only. Part of the latter resemble the constraints in the ordinary string case $`\pi _{\gamma ^{ab}}=0`$ and

$`𝒯_\pm {\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}}G^{\mu \nu }\left({\displaystyle \frac{𝒫_\mu }{E}}\pm G_{\mu \kappa }_\sigma X^\kappa \right)\left({\displaystyle \frac{𝒫_\nu }{E}}\pm G_{\nu \lambda }_\sigma X^\lambda \right)=0,`$
where in the last Virasoro constraints the dynamical string tension $`E`$ appears instead of the ad hoc constant tension.

The rest of the Hamiltonian constraints are $`\pi _{A_0}=0`$ and

$$_\sigma E\underset{i}{}e_i\delta (\sigma \sigma _i)=0,$$
(21)
i.e., the $`D=2`$ “Gauss law” constraint for the dynamical string tension, which coincides with the $`0`$-th component of Eq.(18). Finally, we have constraints involving only the measure-density fields:

$$_\sigma \phi ^i\pi _i^\phi =0,\frac{\pi _2^\phi }{_\sigma \phi ^1}=0.$$
(22)
The last two constraints span a closed Poisson-bracket algebra:

$`\{_\sigma \phi ^i\pi _i^\phi (\sigma ),_\sigma ^{}\phi ^i\pi _i^\phi (\sigma ^{})\}=2_\sigma \phi ^i\pi _i^\phi (\sigma )_\sigma \delta (\sigma \sigma ^{})+_\sigma \left(_\sigma \phi ^i\pi _i^\phi \right)\delta (\sigma \sigma ^{}),`$
(a centerless Virasoro algebra), and:

$`\{_\sigma \phi ^i\pi _i^\phi (\sigma ),{\displaystyle \frac{\pi _2^\phi }{_\sigma \phi ^1}}(\sigma ^{})\}=_\sigma \left({\displaystyle \frac{\pi _2^\phi }{_\sigma \phi ^1}}\right)\delta (\sigma \sigma ^{}).`$
Therefore, the constraints (22) imply that the measure-density scalars $`\phi ^i`$ are pure-gauge degrees of freedom.

## 3 Classical Confinement Mechanism of “Color” Charges via Dynamical String Tension

### 3.1 Non-Abelian Generalization

First, let us notice the following identity in $`D=2`$ involving Abelian gauge field $`A_a`$:

$$\frac{1}{2\sqrt{\gamma }}\epsilon ^{ab}F_{ab}(A)=\sqrt{\frac{1}{2}F_{ab}(A)F_{cd}(A)\gamma ^{ac}\gamma ^{bd}}.$$
(23)
This suggests the proper extension of the modified-measure bosonic string model (9) by introducing a non-Abelian (e.g., $`SU(𝒩)`$) auxiliary gauge field $`A_a`$ (here we take for simplicity flat external metric $`G_{\mu \nu }=\eta _{\mu \nu }`$) :

$`S={\displaystyle d^2\sigma \mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\left[\frac{1}{2}\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX_\mu \sqrt{\frac{1}{2}\mathrm{T}r(F_{ab}(A)F_{cd}(A))\gamma ^{ac}\gamma ^{bd}}\right]}`$
$`={\displaystyle d^2\sigma \mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\left[\frac{1}{2}\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX_\mu \frac{1}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\sqrt{\mathrm{T}r(F_{01}(A)F_{01}(A))}\right]},`$ (24)
where $`F_{ab}(A)=_aA_b_bA_c+i[A_a,A_b]`$.

The action (24) is again invariant under the $`\mathrm{\Phi }`$-extended Weyl (conformal) symmetry (10).

Notice that the “square-root” Yang-Mills action (with the regular Riemannian-metric integration measure):

$$d^2\sigma \sqrt{\gamma }\sqrt{\frac{1}{2}\mathrm{T}r(F_{ab}(A)F_{cd}(A))\gamma ^{ac}\gamma ^{bd}}=d^2\sigma \sqrt{\mathrm{T}r(F_{01}(A)F_{01}(A))}$$
(25)
is a “topological” action similarly to the $`D=3`$ Chern-Simmons action (i.e., it is metric-independent).

Similarly to the Abelian case (16) we can also add a coupling of the auxiliary non-Abelian gauge field $`A_a`$ to an external “color”-charge world-sheet current $`j^a`$:

$$S=d^2\sigma \mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )[\frac{1}{2}\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX_\mu \frac{1}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\sqrt{\mathrm{T}r(F_{01}(A)F_{01}(A))}]+\mathrm{T}r\left(A_aj^a\right).$$
(26)
In particular, for a current of “color” point-like charges on the world-sheet in the “static” gauge :

$$\mathrm{T}r\left(A_aj^a\right)=\underset{i}{}\mathrm{T}rC_i𝑑\tau A_0(\tau ,\sigma _i),$$
(27)
where $`\sigma _i`$ ($`0<\sigma _1<\mathrm{}<\sigma _N2\pi `$) are the locations of the charges.

The action (26) produces the following equations of motion w.r.t. $`\phi ^i`$ and $`\gamma ^{ab}`$, respectively:

$$\frac{1}{2}\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX_\mu \frac{1}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\sqrt{\mathrm{T}r(F_{01}F_{01})}=M\left(=\mathrm{const}\right),$$
(28)
$$T_{ab}_aX^\mu _bX_\mu \frac{1}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\gamma _{ab}\sqrt{\mathrm{T}r(F_{01}F_{01})}=0.$$
(29)
As in the Abelian case the above Eqs.(28)–(29) imply $`M=0`$ and the Polyakov-type equation (5).

The equations of motion w.r.t. auxiliary gauge field $`A_a`$ resulting from (26) resemble, similarly to the Abelian case (18), the $`D=2`$ non-Abelian Yang-Mills equations:

$$\epsilon ^{ab}_a+j^a=0,$$
(30)
where:

$$_a_a+i[A_a,],\pi _{A_1}\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\frac{F_{01}}{\sqrt{\mathrm{T}r(F_{01}F_{01})}}.$$
(31)
Here $``$ is the non-Abelian electric field-strength – the canonically conjugated momentum $`\pi _{A_1}`$ of $`A_1`$, whose norm is the dynamical string tension $`T||=\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }`$.

The equations of motion for the dynamical string tension following from (30) is:

$$_a\left(\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\right)+\epsilon _{ab}\frac{\mathrm{T}r\left(F_{01}j^b\right)}{\sqrt{\mathrm{T}r\left(F_{01}^2\right)}}=0.$$
(32)
In particular, the absence of external charges ($`j^a=0`$) : $`T\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }=T_0\mathrm{const}`$

Finally, the $`X^\mu `$-equations of motion $`_a\left(\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\gamma ^{ab}_bX^\mu \right)=0`$ resulting from the action (26) can be rewritten in the conformal gauge $`\sqrt{\gamma }\gamma ^{ab}=\eta ^{ab}`$ as:

$$\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}^a_aX^\mu \stackrel{~}{j}^a_aX^\mu =0,\mathrm{where}\stackrel{~}{j}^a\frac{\mathrm{T}r\left(F_{01}j^a\right)}{\sqrt{\mathrm{T}r\left(F_{01}^2\right)}}.$$
(33)
For static charges $`\stackrel{~}{j}^0=_i\stackrel{~}{e}_i\delta (\sigma \sigma _i)`$ :

$$T\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }=T_0+\underset{i}{}\stackrel{~}{e}_i\theta (\sigma \sigma _i),\stackrel{~}{e}_i\frac{\mathrm{T}r\left(F_{01}C_i\right)}{\sqrt{\mathrm{T}r\left(F_{01}^2\right)}}|_{\sigma =\sigma _i};$$
(34)
$$T^a_aX^\mu +\left(\underset{i}{}\stackrel{~}{e}_i\delta (\sigma \sigma _i)\right)_\sigma X^\mu =0\{\begin{array}{cc}^a_aX^\mu =0\hfill & \\ _\sigma X^\mu |_{\sigma =\sigma _i}=0\hfill & \end{array}.$$
(35)
### 3.2 Classical Confinement Mechanism

Recall that the modified string action (26) yields the $`D=2`$ Yang-Mills-like Eqs.(30) whose $`0`$-th component $`_\sigma +i[A_1,]+j^0=0`$ is the “Gauss law” constraint for the dynamical string tension ($`T||=\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }`$). For point-like “color” charges and taking the gauge $`A_1=0`$ (i.e., $`\stackrel{~}{}=GG^1`$ where $`A_1=iG^1_\sigma G`$), the latter reads:

$$_\sigma \stackrel{~}{}\underset{i}{}\stackrel{~}{C}_i\delta (\sigma \sigma _i)=0,\stackrel{~}{C}_iGC_iG^1|_{\sigma =\sigma _i}.$$
(36)
Let us consider the case of closed modified string with positions of the “color” charges at $`0<\sigma _1<\mathrm{}<\sigma _N2\pi `$. Then, integrating the “Gauss law” constraint (36) along the string (at fixed proper time) we obtain:

$$\underset{i}{}\stackrel{~}{C}_i=0,\stackrel{~}{}_{i,i+1}=\stackrel{~}{}_{i1,i}+\stackrel{~}{C}_i,$$
(37)
where $`\stackrel{~}{}_{i,i+1}=\stackrel{~}{}`$ in the interval $`\sigma _i<\sigma <\sigma _{i+1}`$.

The discussion in this section leads to the following conclusions:

* We see from Eqs.(34)–(35) that the modified-measure (closed) string with $`N`$ point-like (“color”) charges on it ((16) or (26)) is equivalent to $`N`$ chain-wise connected regular open string segments obeying Neumann boundary conditions.
* Each of the above open string segments, with end-points at the charges $`e_i`$ and $`e_{i+1}`$ (in the Abelian case) or $`C_i`$ and $`C_{i+1}`$ (in the non-Abelian case), has different constant string tension $`T_{i,i+1}`$ such that $`T_{i,i+1}=T_{i1,i}+\underset{i}{\overset{()}{e}}`$ (the non-Abelian $`\stackrel{~}{e}_i`$ are defined in (34)).
* Eq.(37) tells us that the only (classically) admissable configuration of “color” point-like charges coupled to a modified-measure closed bosonic string is the one with zero total “color” charge, i.e., the model (26) provides a classical mechanism of “color” charge confinement.

## 4 Branes with a Modified World-Volume Integration Measure

Before generalizing our construction from the previous two sections to the case of higher-dimensional $`p`$-branes, let us recall the standard Polyakov-type formulation of the bosonic $`p`$-brane action:

$$S=\frac{T}{2}d^{p+1}\sigma \sqrt{\gamma }\left[\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }(X)\mathrm{\Lambda }(p1)\right].$$
(38)
Here $`\gamma _{ab}`$ is the ordinary Riemannian metric on the $`p+1`$-dimensional brane world-volume with $`\gamma det\gamma _{ab}`$. The world-volume indices $`a,b=0,1,\mathrm{},p`$; $`T`$ is the given ad hoc brane tension; the constant $`\mathrm{\Lambda }`$ can be absorbed by rescaling $`T`$ (see below Eq.(43). The equations of motion w.r.t. $`\gamma ^{ab}`$ and $`X^\mu `$ read:

$$T_{ab}\left(_aX^\mu _bX^\nu \frac{1}{2}\gamma _{ab}\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX^\nu \right)G_{\mu \nu }+\gamma _{ab}\frac{\mathrm{\Lambda }}{2}(p1)=0,$$
(39)
$$_a\left(\sqrt{\gamma }\gamma ^{ab}_bX^\mu \right)+\sqrt{\gamma }\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\nu _bX^\lambda \mathrm{\Gamma }_{\nu \lambda }^\mu =0.$$
(40)
Eqs.(39) when $`p1`$ imply:

$$\mathrm{\Lambda }\gamma _{ab}=_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu },$$
(41)
which in turn allows to rewrite Eq.(39) as:

$$T_{ab}\left(_aX^\mu _bX^\nu \frac{1}{p+1}\gamma _{ab}\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX^\nu \right)G_{\mu \nu }=0.$$
(42)
Furthermore, using (41) the Polyakov-type brane action (38) becomes on-shell equivalent to the Nambu-Goto-type brane action:

$$S=T\mathrm{\Lambda }^{\frac{p1}{2}}d^{p+1}\sigma \sqrt{det_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }}.$$
(43)
### 4.1 Modified-Measure Brane Actions

Now, similarly to the string case we introduce a modified world-volume integration measure in terms of $`p+1`$ auxiliary scalar fields $`\phi ^i`$ ($`i=1,\mathrm{},p+1`$) :

$$\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\frac{1}{(p+1)!}\epsilon _{i_1\mathrm{}i_{p+1}}\epsilon ^{a_1\mathrm{}a_{p+1}}_{a_1}\phi ^{i_1}\mathrm{}_{a_{p+1}}\phi ^{i_{p+1}},$$
(44)
and consider the following modified $`p`$-brane action:

$$S=d^{p+1}\sigma \mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\left[\frac{1}{2}\gamma ^{ab}_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }(X)+\frac{1}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\mathrm{\Omega }(A)\right]+d^{p+1}\sigma (A).$$
(45)
The term $`\mathrm{\Omega }(A)`$ indicates a topological density given in terms of some auxiliary gauge (or matter) fields $`A^I`$ living on the world-volume, “topological” meaning that:

$$\frac{\mathrm{\Omega }}{A^I}_a\left(\frac{\mathrm{\Omega }}{_aA^I}\right)=0\mathrm{identically},\mathrm{i}.\mathrm{e}.\delta \mathrm{\Omega }(A)=_a\left(\frac{\mathrm{\Omega }}{_aA^I}\delta A^I\right).$$
(46)
$`(A)`$ describes possible coupling of the auxiliary fields $`A^I`$ to external “currents” on the brane world-volume.

The requirement for $`\mathrm{\Omega }(A)`$ to be a topological density is dictated by the requirement that the modified-measure brane action (45) (in the absence of the last gauge/matter term $`d^{p+1}\sigma (A)`$) reproduces the ordinary $`p`$-brane equations of motion apart from the fact that the brane tension $`T\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }`$ is now an additional dynamical degree of freedom.

The simplest example of a topological density $`\mathrm{\Omega }(A)`$ for the auxiliary gauge/matter fields is:

$$\mathrm{\Omega }(A)=\frac{\epsilon ^{a_1\mathrm{}a_{p+1}}}{p+1}F_{a_1\mathrm{}a_{p+1}}(A),F_{a_1\mathrm{}a_{p+1}}(A)=(p+1)_{[a_1}A_{a_2\mathrm{}a_{p+1}]},$$
(47)
where $`A_{a_1\mathrm{}a_p}`$ is rank $`p`$ antisymmetric tensor (Abelian) gauge field on the world-volume222A modified $`p`$-brane model significantly different from (45)–(47) has been proposed in ref.. The latter model also contains world-volume $`p`$-form gauge fields which, however, appear quadratically in the brane action of  and, therefore, they are dynamical rather than auxiliary fields..

More generally, for $`p+1=rs`$ we can have:

$$\mathrm{\Omega }(A)=\frac{1}{rs}\epsilon ^{a_{11}\mathrm{}a_{1r}\mathrm{}a_{s1}\mathrm{}a_{sr}}F_{a_{11}\mathrm{}a_{1r}}\mathrm{}F_{a_{s1}\mathrm{}a_{sr}}.$$
(48)
We may also employ non-Abelian auxiliary gauge fields as in the string case. For instance, when $`p=3`$ we may take:

$$\mathrm{\Omega }(A)=\frac{1}{4}\epsilon ^{abcd}\mathrm{T}r\left(F_{ab}(A)F_{cd}(A)\right)$$
(49)
or, more generally, for $`p+1=2q`$ :

$$\mathrm{\Omega }(A)=\frac{1}{2q}\epsilon ^{a_1b_1\mathrm{}a_qb_q}\mathrm{T}r\left(F_{a_1b_1}\mathrm{}F_{a_qb_q}\right),$$
(50)
where $`F_{ab}(A)=_aA_b_bA_c+i[A_a,A_b]`$.

The modified $`p`$-brane action (45) produces the following equations of motion w.r.t. $`\phi ^i`$ :

$$\frac{1}{2}\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }+\frac{1}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\mathrm{\Omega }(A)=M\mathrm{const},$$
(51)
and w.r.t. $`\gamma ^{ab}`$ (assuming that $`d^{p+1}\sigma (A)`$ does not depend on $`\gamma _{ab}`$ – true e.g. if it describes coupling of the auxiliary (gauge) fields $`A`$ to charged lower-dimensional branes) :

$$_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }+\frac{\gamma _{ab}}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\mathrm{\Omega }(A)=0.$$
(52)
Both Eqs.(51)–(52) imply:

$$\mathrm{\Omega }(A)=\frac{2M}{p1}\sqrt{\gamma },$$
(53)
$$_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }=\gamma _{ab}\frac{2M}{p1},_aX^\mu _bX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }\frac{1}{p+1}\gamma _{ab}\gamma ^{cd}_cX^\mu _dX^\nu G_{\mu \nu }=0.$$
(54)
The last two Eqs.(54) reproduce two of the ordinary brane equations of motion (41)–(42) in the standard Polyakov-type formulation.

We now consider the modified brane (45) equations of motion w.r.t. auxiliary (gauge) fields $`A^I`$ – these are the eqs. determining the dynamical brane tension $`T\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }`$ :

$$_a\left(\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\right)\frac{\mathrm{\Omega }}{_aA^I}+j_I=0,$$
(55)
where $`j_I\frac{}{A^I}_a\left(\frac{}{_aA^I}\right)`$ is the corresponding “current” coupled to $`A^I`$.

As a physically interesting example let us take the choice (47) for the topological density $`\mathrm{\Omega }(A)`$ and consider the following natural coupling of the auxiliary $`p`$-form gauge field:

$$d^{p+1}\sigma (A)=d^{p+1}\sigma A_{a_1\mathrm{}a_p}j^{a_1\mathrm{}a_p}$$
(56)
to an external world-volume current:

$$j^{a_1\mathrm{}a_p}=\underset{i}{}e_i__id^pu\frac{1}{p!}\epsilon ^{\alpha _1\mathrm{}\alpha _p}\frac{\sigma _i^{a_1}}{u^{\alpha _1}}\mathrm{}\frac{\sigma _i^{a_p}}{u^{\alpha _p}}\delta ^{(p+1)}\left(\underset{¯}{\sigma }\underset{¯}{\sigma }_i(\underset{¯}{u})\right).$$
(57)
Here $`j^{a_1\mathrm{}a_p}`$ is a current of charged $`(p1)`$-sub-branes $`_i`$ embedded into the original $`p`$-brane world-volume via $`\sigma ^a=\sigma _i^a(\underset{¯}{u})`$ with parameters $`\underset{¯}{u}(u^\alpha )_{\alpha =0,\mathrm{},p1}`$. For simplicity we assume that the $`_i`$ sub-branes do not intersect each other. With the choice (56)–(57), Eq.(55) for the dynamical brane tension $`T\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }`$ becomes:

$$_a\left(\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}\right)+\underset{i}{}e_i𝒩_a^{(i)}=0,$$
(58)
where $`𝒩_a^{(i)}`$ is the normal vector w.r.t. world-hypersurface of the $`(p1)`$-sub-brane $`_i`$ :

$$𝒩_a^{(i)}\frac{1}{p!}\epsilon _{ab_1\mathrm{}b_p}__id^pu\frac{1}{p!}\epsilon ^{\alpha _1\mathrm{}\alpha _p}\frac{\sigma _i^{a_1}}{u^{\alpha _1}}\mathrm{}\frac{\sigma _i^{a_p}}{u^{\alpha _p}}\delta ^{(p+1)}\left(\underset{¯}{\sigma }\underset{¯}{\sigma }_i(\underset{¯}{u})\right).$$
(59)
Finally, the modified-brane action (45) yields the $`X^\mu `$-equations of motion $`_a\left(\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )\gamma ^{ab}_bX^\mu \right)=0`$ (taking for simplicity $`G_{\mu \nu }=\eta _{\mu \nu }`$), which upon using (58) can be rewritten in the form 333For a detailed description of techniques for obtaining solutions of equations of motion for standard string and brane systems in non-trivial backgrounds, which can be easily adapted in the present modified-measure string and brane models, see ref.. :

$$\frac{\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )}{\sqrt{\gamma }}_a\left(\sqrt{\gamma }\gamma ^{ab}_bX^\mu \right)\underset{i}{}e_i𝒩_a^{(i)}\gamma ^{ab}_bX^\mu =0.$$
(60)
### 4.2 Confinement of Charged Lower-Dimensional Branes

Let us consider the solutions for the for the dynamical brane tension Eq.(58). Recalling the definition (59) of $`𝒩_a^{(i)}`$ we find from (58) that $`T\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }`$ is piece-wise constant on the $`p`$-brane world-volume with jumps when crossing the world-hypersurface of each charged $`(p1)`$-sub-brane $`_i`$, the corresponding jump being equal to the charge magnitude $`\pm e_i`$ (the overall sign depending on the direction of crossing w.r.t. the normal $`𝒩_a^{(i)}`$).

Taking into account the above piece-wise constant solution for $`T\mathrm{\Phi }(\phi )/\sqrt{\gamma }`$, the $`X^\mu `$-equations of motion (60) for the closed modified brane (45) become equivalent to the following set of equations of motion:

$$_a\left(\sqrt{\gamma }\gamma ^{ab}_bX^\mu \right)=0,_NX^\mu |__i=0,$$
(61)
where $`_N`$ indicates normal derivative w.r.t. world-hypersurface of the $`(p1)`$-sub-brane $`_i`$. Therefore, Eqs.(61) together with Eq.(58) describe a set of ordinary open $`p`$-brane segments with common boundaries, where each open $`p`$-brane segment possesses different constant brane tension and obeys Neumann boundary conditions.

Integrating Eq.(58) along arbitrary smooth closed curve $`𝒞`$ on the $`p`$-brane world-volume which is transversal to (some or all of) the $`(p1)`$-sub-brane $`_i`$, we obtain the following constraints on the possible sub-brane configurations:

$$\underset{i}{}e_in_i(𝒞)=0,$$
(62)
where $`n_i(𝒞)`$ is the sign-weighted total number of $`𝒞`$ crossing $`_i`$. In the present $`p2`$-brane case, however, due to the much more complicated topologies of the pertinent world-volumes Eq.(62) may yield various different types of allowed sub-brane configurations.

As a simple illustration, here we will only consider the simplest non-trivial case $`p=2`$ and take the static gauge for the $`p=1`$ sub-branes (strings), i.e., the proper times of the charged strings coinsides with the proper time of the bulk membrane. The latter means that the fixed-time world-volume of the bulk closed membrane is a Riemann surface with some number $`g`$ of handles and no holes. Further, we will assume the following simple topology of the attached $`N`$ charged strings $`_i`$ : upon cutting the membrane surface along these attached strings it splits into $`N`$ open membranes $`_i`$ ($`i=1,\mathrm{},N`$) with Neumann boundary conditions (cf. (61)), each of which being a Riemann surface with $`g_i`$ handles and 2 holes (boundaries) formed by the strings $`_{i1}`$ and $`_i`$, respectively444The Euler charasteristics of the bulk membrane Riemann surface is $`\chi =22g`$, whereas for the open brane $`_i`$ it is $`\chi _i=22g_i2`$, so that $`\chi =_i\chi _i`$ or, equivalently, $`g=1+_ig_i`$.. The brane tension of $`_i`$ is a dynamically generated constant $`T_i`$ where $`T_{i+1}=T_i+e_i`$. In the present configuration Eq.(62) evidently reduces to the constraint $`_ie_i=0`$.

Thus, we conclude that similarly to the string case, modified-measure $`p`$-brane models describe configurations of charged $`(p1)`$-branes with charge confinement. Apart from the latter, in general there exist more complicated configurations allowed by the constraint (62), which will be studied elsewhere.

## 5 Conclusions

The above discussion shows that there exist natural from physical point of view modifications of world-sheet and world-volume integration measures which may significantly affect string and brane dynamics. Let us sumarize the main features of the new modified-measure string and brane models:

* Acceptable dynamics naturally requires the introduction of auxiliary world-sheet gauge field (world-volume $`p`$-form tensor gauge field).
* The string/brane tension is not anymore a constant scale given ad hoc, but rather appears as an additional dynamical degree of freedom beyond the ordinary string/brane degrees of freedom.
* The dynamical string/brane tension has physical meaning of an electric field strenght for the auxiliary gauge field.
* The dynamical string/brane tension obeys “Gauss law” constraint equation and may be nontrivially variable in the presence of point-like charges (on the string world-sheet) or charged lower-dimensional branes (on the $`p`$-brane world-volume).
* Modified-measure string/brane models provide simple classical mechanisms for confinement of point-like “color” charges or charged lower-dimensional branes due to variable dynamical tension.

Acknowledgement. E.N. and S.P. are partially supported by Bulgarian NSF grant F-904/99.