On a new normalization for tractor covariant derivatives

Abstract: A regular normal parabolic geometry of type $G/P$ on a manifold $M$ gives rise to sequences $D_i$ of invariant differential operators, known as the curved version of the BGG resolution. These sequences are constructed from the normal covariant derivative $\na^\om$ on the corresponding tractor bundle $V,$ where $\om$ is the normal Cartan connection. The first operator $D_0$ in the sequence is overdetermined and it is well known that $\na^\om$ yields the prolongation of this operator in the homogeneous case $M = G/P$. Our first main result is the curved version of such a prolongation. This requires a new normalization $\tilde{\na}$ of the tractor covariant derivative on $V$. Moreover, we obtain an analogue for higher operators $D_i$. In that case one needs to modify the exterior covariant derivative $d^{\na^\om}$ by differential terms. Finally we demonstrate these results on simple examples in projective and Grassmannian geometry. Our approach is based on standard techniques of the BGG machinery.