Harmonic maps with torsion

In this article we introduce a natural extension of the well-studied equation for harmonic maps between Riemannian manifolds by assuming that the target manifold is equipped with a connection that is metric but has non-vanishing torsion. Such connections have already been classified in the work of Cartan (1924). The maps under consideration do not arise as critical points of an energy functional leading to interesting mathematical challenges. We will perform a first mathematical analysis of these maps which we will call harmonic maps with torsion.

Automated summary

This article introduces a natural extension of the equation for harmonic maps between Riemannian manifolds, considering the impact of connections with non-vanishing torsion on the maps. The study presents new challenges in the field of harmonic maps equations.