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arXiv · 1701.08824

$L_{\infty}$ Algebras and Field Theory

Olaf Hohm·Barton Zwiebach
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Abstract

We review and develop the general properties of $L_\infty$ algebras focusing on the gauge structure of the associated field theories. Motivated by the $L_\infty$ homotopy Lie algebra of closed string field theory and the work of Roytenberg and Weinstein describing the Courant bracket in this language we investigate the $L_\infty$ structure of general gauge invariant perturbative field theories. We sketch such formulations for non-abelian gauge theories, Einstein gravity, and for double field theory. We find that there is an $L_\infty$ algebra for the gauge structure and a larger one for the full interacting field theory. Theories where the gauge structure is a strict Lie algebra often require the full $L_\infty$ algebra for the interacting theory. The analysis suggests that $L_\infty$ algebras provide a classification of perturbative gauge invariant classical field theories.

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Olaf Hohm, Barton Zwiebach. 2017-03-26. $L_{\infty}$ Algebras and Field Theory. https://doi.org/10.1002/prop.201700014

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