Non-Riemannian geometry of M-theory

Abstract: We construct a background for M-theory that is moduli free. This background is then shown to be related to a topological phase of the $\mathrm{E}_{8(8)}$ exceptional field theory (ExFT). The key ingredient in the construction is the embedding of non-Riemannian geometry in ExFT. This allows one to describe non-relativistic geometries, such as Newton-Cartan or Gomis-Ooguri-type limits, using the ExFT framework originally developed to describe maximal supergravity. This generalises previous work by Morand and Park in the context of double field theory.