[Math] Is S^2 x S^4 a complex manifold

ag.algebraic-geometrycomplex-geometrycv.complex-variablesdg.differential-geometryopen-problems

As observed by Calabi a long time ago, the manifold $S^2\times S^4$ admits an almost-complex structure (obtained by embedding it in $\mathbb{R}^7$ and using the octonionic product), which however is not integrable.

Is it known whether $S^2\times S^4$ admits an integrable complex structure?

A few remarks.

  • This is stated as an open problem in Calabi's paper, but perhaps it has been solved in the meantime?
  • This is similar to the case of $S^6$, which is still open (see this question).
  • One can also ask the same question for $\Sigma\times S^4$ for $\Sigma$ any compact Riemann surface
  • It seems that some people believe that every almost-complex manifold of real dimension $6$ or more admits an integrable complex structure (see this other question).
  • Even more generally (and this is obviously still open), one can ask about an arbitrary finite product of even dimensional spheres (excluding $S^0$). It is known that this is almost complex iff the only factors that appear are $S^2, S^6$ and $S^2\times S^4$.
  • If one allows connected sums, then for example $(S^2\times S^4)\#2(S^3\times S^3)$ is a complex manifold, and in fact it has complex structures with trivial canonical bundles (see for example here and here).

Best Answer

This is still an open problem. See this paper for some progress, which was prompted by this MO question.

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