Lectures on generalized complex geometry for physicists

In these lectures we review Generalized Complex Geometry and discuss two main applications to string theory: the description of supersymmetric flux compactifications and the supersymmetric embedding of D-branes. We start by reviewing G-structures, and in particular SU(3)-structure and its torsion classes, before extending to Generalized Complex Geometry. We then discuss the supersymmetry conditions of type II supergravity in terms of differential conditions on pure spinors, and finally introduce generalized calibrations to describe D-branes. As examples we discuss in some detail AdS(4) compactifications, which play a role as the geometric duals in the AdS(4)/CFT3-correspondence. (C) 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim