Stability and moduli space of generalized Ricci solitons

Abstract: The generalized Einstein Hilbert action is an extension of the classic scalar curvature energy and Perelman F functional which incorporates a closed three-form. The critical points are known as generalized Ricci solitons, which arise naturally in mathematical physics, complex geometry, and generalized geometry. Through a delicate analysis of the group of generalized gauge transformations, and implementing a novel connection, we give a simple formula for the second variation of this energy which generalizes the Lichnerowicz operator in the Einstein case. As an application, we show that all Bismut flat manifolds are linearly stable critical points, and admit nontrivial deformations arising from Lie theory. Furthermore, this leads to extensions of classic results of Koiso and Podesta, Spiro, Kr\"oncke to the moduli space of generalized Ricci solitons. To finish we classify deformations of the Bismut-flat structure on S3 and show that some are integrable while others are not.