A linear F-manifold is an F-manifold (E, \circ , e) defined on the total space of a vector bundle \pi : E \rightarrow M for which the multiplication and unit field are linear tensor fields. We develop a systematic treatment of linear F-manifolds. Using an additional suitable connection on M, we define a duality between linear F-manifolds (with and without Euler fields) on E and the total space E^{ *} of the dual vector bundle. Our main examples of linear F-manifolds are the tangent and cotangent prolongation. Motivated by the direct sum of tangent and cotangent prolongation, we define and investigate compatibility conditions between linear F-manifolds and the geometry of the generalized tangent bundle.
Categories: math.DG math-ph math.MP