Contractions of Leibniz algebras and Courant algebroids by means of (1,1)-tensors are introduced and studied. An appropriate version of Nijenhuis tensors leads to natural deformations of Dirac structures and Lie bialgebroids. One recovers presymplectic-Nijenhuis structures, Poisson-Nijenhuis structures, and triangular Lie bialgebroids as particular examples.
In this paper, first we modify the definition of a Hom-Lie algebroid introduced by Laurent-Gengoux and Teles and give its equivalent dual description. Many results that parallel to Lie algebroids are given. In particular, we give the notion of a Hom-Poisson manifold and show that there is a Hom-Lie algebroid structure on the pullback of the cotangent bundle of a Hom-Poisson manifold. Then we give the notion of a Hom-Lie bialgebroid, which is a natural generalization of a purely Hom-Lie bialgebra and a Lie bialgebroid. We show that the base manifold of a Hom-Lie bialgebroid is a Hom-Poisson man…
In this paper, we introduce the notion of a left-symmetric bialgebroid as a geometric generalization of a left-symmetric bialgebra and construct a left-symmetric bialgebroid from a pseudo-Hessian manifold. We also introduce the notion of a Manin triple for left-symmetric algebroids, which is equivalent to a left-symmetric bialgebroid. The corresponding double structure is a pre-symplectic algebroid rather than a left-symmetric algebroid. In particular, we establish a relation between Maurer-Cartan type equations and Dirac structures of the pre-symplectic algebroid which is the corresponding do…
For any regular Courant algebroid, we construct a characteristic class a la Chern-Weil. This intrinsic invariant of the Courant algebroid is a degree-3 class in its naive cohomology. When the Courant algebroid is exact, it reduces to the Severa class (in H^3_{DR}(M)). On the other hand, when the Courant algebroid is a quadratic Lie algebra g, it coincides with the class of the Cartan 3-form (in H^3(g)). We also give a complete classification of regular Courant algebroids and discuss its relation to the characteristic class.
The binary bracket of a Courant algebroid structure on $(E,\langle \cdot,\cdot \rangle)$ can be extended to a $n$-ary bracket on $Γ(E)$, yielding a multi-Courant algebroid. These $n$-ary brackets form a Poisson algebra and were defined, in an algebraic setting, by Keller and Waldmann. We construct a higher geometric version of Keller-Waldmann Poisson algebra and define higher multi-Courant algebroids. As Courant algebroid structures can be seen as degree $3$ functions on a graded symplectic manifold of degree $2$, higher multi-Courant structures can be seen as functions of degree $n\geq 3$ on …
In this paper, we first discuss the relation between VB-Courant algebroids and E-Courant algebroids and construct some examples of E-Courant algebroids. Then we introduce the notion of a generalized complex structure on an E-Courant algebroid, unifying the usual generalized complex structures on even-dimensional manifolds and generalized contact structures on odd-dimensional manifolds. Moreover, we study generalized complex structures on an omni-Lie algebroid in detail. In particular, we show that generalized complex structures on an omni-Lie algebra $\gl(V)\oplus V$ correspond to complex Lie …
In this paper, we introduce the notion of $E$-Courant algebroids, where $E$ is a vector bundle. It is a kind of generalized Courant algebroid and contains Courant algebroids, Courant-Jacobi algebroids and omni-Lie algebroids as its special cases. We explore novel phenomena exhibited by $E$-Courant algebroids and provide many examples. We study the automorphism groups of omni-Lie algebroids and classify the isomorphism classes of exact $E$-Courant algebroids. In addition, we introduce the concepts of $E$-Lie bialgebroids and Manin triples.
For any regular Courant algebroid $E$ over a smooth manifold $M$ with characteristic distribution $F$ and ample Lie algebroid $A_E$, we prove that there exists a canonical homological vector field on the graded manifold $A_E[1] \oplus (TM/F)^\ast[2]$ such that the resulting dg manifold $\mathcal{M}_E$, which we call the minimal model of the Courant algebroid $E$, encodes all cohomological information of $E$. Indeed, the standard cohomology of $E$ can be identified with the cohomology of the function space on $\mathcal{M}_E$, which can be computed by a Hodge-to-de Rham type spectral sequence. W…
This paper investigates higher order generalizations of well known results for Lie algebroids and bialgebroids. It is proved that $n$-Lie algebroid structures correspond to $n$-ary generalization of Gerstenhaber algebras and are implied by $n$-ary generalization of linear Poisson structures on the dual bundle. A Nambu-Poisson manifold (of order $n>2$) gives rise to a special bialgebroid structure which is referred to as a weak Lie-Filippov bialgebroid (of order $n$). It is further demonstrated that such bialgebroids canonically induce a Nambu-Poisson structure on the base manifold. Finally, th…
We introduce conformal Courant algebroids, a mild generalization of Courant algebroids in which only a conformal structure rather than a bilinear form is assumed. We introduce exact conformal Courant algebroids and show they are classified by pairs $(L,H)$ with $L$ a flat line bundle and $H \in H^3(M,L)$ a degree 3 class with coefficients in $L$. As a special case gerbes for the crossed module $({\rm U}(1) \to \mathbb{Z}_2)$ can be used to twist $TM \oplus T^*M$ into a conformal Courant algebroid. In the exact case there is a twisted cohomology which is 4-periodic if $L^2 = 1$. The structure o…
In this thesis we develop the notion of LA-Courant algebroids, the infinitesimal analogue of multiplicative Courant algebroids. Specific applications include the integration of q- Poisson (d, g)-structures, and the reduction of Courant algebroids. We also introduce the notion of pseudo-Dirac structures, (possibly non-Lagrangian) subbundles W \subseteq E of a Courant algebroid such that the Courant bracket endows W naturally with the structure of a Lie algebroid. Specific examples of pseudo-Dirac structures arise in the theory of q-Poisson (d, g)-structures.
We define a general notion of abstract double Lie algebroid. We show (1) that the double Lie algebroid of a double Lie groupoid is a double Lie algebroid in this sense; (2) that the double cotangent constructed from Lie algebroid structures on a vector bundle A and its dual A* is a double Lie algebroid if and only if (A, A*) is a Lie bialgebroid; (3) that a vacant double Lie algebroid structure is equivalent to a matched pair structure on the side Lie algebroids.
Deformations of a Courant Algebroid E and its Dirac subbundle A have been widely considered under the assumption that the pseudo-Euclidean metric is fixed. In this paper, we attack the same problem in a setting that allows the pseudo-Euclidean metric to deform. Thanks to Roytenberg, a Courant algebroid is equivalent to a symplectic graded Q-manifold of degree 2. From this viewpoint, we extend the notions of graded Q-manifold, DGLA and L_\infty-algebra all to "blended" version so that Poisson manifold, Lie algebroid and Courant algebroid are unified as blended Q-manifolds; and define a submanio…
In this paper, we show that the Jacobiator $J$ of a pre-Courant algebroid is closed naturally. The corresponding equivalence class $[J^\flat]$ is defined as the Pontryagin class, which is the obstruction of a pre-Courant algebroid to be deformed into a Courant algebroid. We construct a Leibniz 2-algebra and a Lie 2-algebra associated to a pre-Courant algebroid and prove that these algebraic structures are isomorphic under deformations. Finally, we introduce the twisted action of a Lie algebra on a manifold to give more examples of pre-Courant algebroids, which include the Cartan geometry.
In this paper, we extend the T-duality isomorphism by Gualtieri and Cavalcanti, from invariant exact Courant algebroids, to exotic exact Courant algebroids such that the momentum and winding numbers are exchanged, filling in a gap in the literature.
Pre-Courant algebroids are `Courant algebroids' without the Jacobi identity for the Courant-Dorfman bracket. In this paper we examine the corresponding supermanifold description of pre-Courant algebroids and some direct consequences thereof - such as the definition of (sub-)Dirac structures and the notion of the naive quasi-cochain complex. In particular we define symplectic almost Lie 2-algebroids and show how they correspond to pre-Courant algebroids. Moreover, the framework of supermanifolds allows us to economically define and work with pre-Courant algebroids equipped with a compatible non…
We endow the group of automorphisms of an exact Courant algebroid over a compact manifold with an infinite dimensional Lie group structure modelled on the inverse limit of Hilbert spaces (ILH). We prove a slice theorem for the action of this Lie group on the space of generalized metrics. As an application, we show that the moduli space of generalized metrics is stratified by ILH submanifolds and relate it to the moduli space of usual metrics. Finally, we extend these results to odd exact Courant algebroids.
Let $L$ be a line bundle over $M$. In this paper we associate an $L_\infty$-algebra to any $L$-Courant algebroid (contact Courant algebroid in the sense of Grabowski). This construction is similar to the work of Roytenberg and Weinstein for Courant algebroids. Next we associate a $p$-term $L_\infty$-algebra to any isotropic involutive subbundle of $(\mathbb{D}L)^p := DL \oplus (\wedge^p (DL)^* \otimes L)$, where $DL$ is the gauge algebroid of $L$. In a particular case, we relate these $L_\infty$-algebras by a suitable morphism.
In this paper, we show that the spaces of sections of the $n$-th differential operator bundle $\dev^n E$ and the $n$-th skew-symmetric jet bundle $\jet_n E$ of a vector bundle $E$ are isomorphic to the spaces of linear $n$-vector fields and linear $n$-forms on $E^*$ respectively. Consequently, the $n$-omni-Lie algebroid $\dev E\oplus\jet_n E$ introduced by Bi-Vitagliago-Zhang can be explained as certain linearization, which we call pseudo-linearization of the higher analogue of Courant algebroids $TE^*\oplus \wedge^nT^*E^*$. On the other hand, we show that the omni $n$-Lie algebroid $\dev E\op…
In this paper, we describe an integration of exact Courant algebroids to symplectic 2-groupoids, and we show that the differentiation procedure from [26] inverts our integration.
We study Maurer-Cartan elements on homotopy Poisson manifolds of degree $n$. They unify many twisted or homotopy structures in Poisson geometry and mathematical physics, such as twisted Poisson manifolds, quasi-Poisson $\g$-manifolds, and twisted Courant algebroids. Using the fact that the dual of an $n$-term $L_\infty$-algebra is a homotopy Poisson manifold of degree $n-1$, we obtain a Courant algebroid from a $2$-term $L_\infty$-algebra $\g$ via the degree $2$ symplectic NQ-manifold $T^*[2]\g^*[1]$. By integrating the Lie quasi-bialgebroid associated to the Courant algebroid, we obtain a Lie…
In this paper, first we introduce the notion of a $\VB$-Lie $2$-algebroid, which can be viewed as the categorification of a $\VB$-Lie algebroid. The tangent prolongation of a Lie $2$-algebroid is a $\VB$-Lie $2$-algebroid naturally. We show that after choosing a splitting, there is a one-to-one correspondence between $\VB$-Lie $2$-algebroids and flat superconnections of a Lie 2-algebroid on a 3-term complex of vector bundles. Then we introduce the notion of a $\VB$-$\LWX$ 2-algebroid, which can be viewed as the categorification of a $\VB$-Courant algebroid. We show that there is a one-to-one c…
Given a vector bundle $A$ over a smooth manifold $M$ such that the square root $\mathcal{L}$ of the line bundle $\wedge^{\mathrm{top}}A^\ast \otimes \wedge^{\mathrm{top}}T^\ast M$ exists, the Clifford bundle associated to the split pseudo-Euclidean vector bundle $(E = A \oplus A^\ast, \langle \cdot, \cdot \rangle)$, admits a spinor bundle $\wedge^\bullet A \otimes \mathcal{L}$, whose section space can be thought of as that of Berezinian half-densities of the graded manifold $A^\ast[1]$. We give an explicit construction of Dirac generating operators of split Courant algebroid (or proto-bialgebr…
We study the graded geometric point of view of curvature and torsion of Q-manifolds (differential graded manifolds). In particular, we get a natural graded geometric definition of Courant algebroid curvature and torsion, which correctly restrict to Dirac structures. Depending on an auxiliary affine connection K, we introduce the K-curvature and K-torsion of a Courant algebroid connection. These are conventional tensors on the body. Finally, we compute their Ricci and scalar curvature.
In this paper, we give the categorification of Leibniz algebras, which is equivalent to 2-term sh Leibniz algebras. They reveal the algebraic structure of omni-Lie 2-algebras introduced in \cite{omniLie2} as well as twisted Courant algebroids by closed 4-forms introduced in \cite{4form}. We also prove that Dirac structures of twisted Courant algebroids give rise to 2-term $L_\infty$-algebras and geometric structures behind them are exactly $H$-twisted Lie algebroids introduced in \cite{Grutzmann}.
We propose a generalization of the momentum map on a symplectic manifold with a Lie algebra action to a Courant algebroid structure. The theory of a momentum section on a Lie algebroid is generalized to the theory compatible with a Courant algebroid. As an example, we identify the momentum section in a constrained Hamiltonian mechanics with Courant algebroid symmetry. Moreover, we construct cohomological formulations by considering the BFV and BV formalism of this Hamiltonian system. The Weil algebra for this structure is constructed.
In this paper, we study the algebraic properties of the higher analogues of Courant algebroid structures on the direct sum bundle $TM\oplus\wedge^nT^*M$ for an $m$-dimensional manifold. As an application, we revisit Nambu-Poisson structures and multisymplectic structures. We prove that the graph of an $(n+1)$-vector field $π$ is closed under the higher-order Dorfman bracket iff $π$ is a Nambu-Poisson structure. Consequently, there is an induced Leibniz algebroid structure on $\wedge^nT^*M$. The graph of an $(n+1)$-form $ω$ is closed under the higher-order Dorfman bracket iff $ω$ is a premultis…
We give an explicit description, in terms of bracket, anchor, and pairing, of the standard cochain complex associated to a Courant algebroid. In this formulation, the differential satisfies a formula that is formally identical to the Cartan formula for the de Rham differential. This perspective allows us to develop the theory of Courant algebroid connections in a way that mirrors the classical theory of connections. Using a special class of connections, we construct secondary characteristic classes associated to any Courant algebroid.
Let $p$ be a Lie subalgebra of a semisimple Lie algebra $g$ and $(G,P)$ be the corresponding pair of connected Lie groups. A Cartan geometry of type $(G,P)$ associates to a smooth manifold $M$ a principal $P$-bundle and a Cartan connection, and a parabolic geometry is a Cartan geometry where $P$ is parabolic. We show that if $P$ is parabolic, the adjoint tractor bundle of a Cartan geometry, which is isomorphic to the Atiyah algebroid of the principal $P$-bundle, admits the structure of a (pre-)Courant algebroid, and we identify the topological obstruction to the bracket being a Courant bracket…
In this paper, we construct a homotopy Poisson algebra of degree 3 associated to a split Lie 2-algebroid, by which we give a new approach to characterize a split Lie 2-bialgebroid. We develop the differential calculus associated to a split Lie 2-algebroid and establish the Manin triple theory for split Lie 2-algebroids. More precisely, we give the notion of a strict Dirac structure and define a Manin triple for split Lie 2-algebroids to be a CLWX 2-algebroid with two transversal strict Dirac structures. We show that there is a one-to-one correspondence between Manin triples for split Lie 2-alg…
We introduce the notion of matched pairs of Courant algebroids and give several examples arising naturally from complex manifolds, holomorphic Courant algebroids, and certain regular Courant algebroids. We consider the matched sum of two Dirac subbundles, one in each of two Courant algebroids forming a matched pair.
The word `double' was used by Ehresmann to mean `an object X in the category of all X'. Double categories, double groupoids and double vector bundles are instances, but the notion of Lie algebroid cannot readily be doubled in the Ehresmann sense, since a Lie algebroid bracket cannot be defined diagrammatically. In this paper we use the duality of double vector bundles to define a notion of double Lie algebroid, and we show that this abstracts the infinitesimal structure (at second order) of a double Lie groupoid. We further show that the cotangent of either Lie algebroid in a Lie bialgebroid h…
We develop a systematic approach to contact and Jacobi structures on graded supermanifolds. In this framework, contact structures are interpreted as symplectic principal GL(1,R)-bundles. Gradings compatible with the GL(1,R)-action lead to the concept of a graded contact manifold, in particular a linear (more generally, n-linear) contact structure. Linear contact structures are proven to be exactly the canonical contact structures on first jets of line bundles. They provide linear Kirillov (or Jacobi) brackets and give rise to the concept of a Kirillov algebroid, an analog of a Lie algebroid, f…
Courant algebroids are a natural generalization of quadratic Lie algebras, appearing in various contexts in mathematical physics. A connection on a Courant algebroid gives an analogue of a covariant derivative compatible with a given fiber-wise metric. Imposing further conditions resembling standard Levi-Civita connections, one obtains a class of connections whose curvature tensor in certain cases gives a new geometrical description of equations of motion of low energy effective action of string theory. Two examples are given. One is the so called symplectic gravity, the second one is an appli…
This paper shows the equivalence of the categories of $N$-manifolds of degree $2$ with the category of double vector bundles endowed with a linear metric. Split Poisson $N$-manifolds of degree $2$ are shown to be equivalent to self-dual representations up to homotopy. As a consequence, the equivalence above induces an equivalence between so called metric VB-algebroids and Poisson $N$-manifolds of degree $2$. Then a new description of split Lie $2$-algebroids is given, as well as their "duals", the Dorfman $2$-representations. We show that Dorfman $2$-representations are equivalent in a simple …
Nijenhuis tensors $N$ on Courant algebroids compatible with the pairing are studied. This compatibility condition turns out to be of the form $N+N^*=aI$ for irreducible Courant algebroids, in particular for the extended tangent bundles $TM\oplus T^*M$. It is proved that compatible Nijenhuis tensors on irreducible Courant algebroids must satisfy quadratic relations $N^2-aN+bI=0$, so that the corresponding hierarchy is very poor. The particular case $N^2=-I$ is associated with Hitchin's generalized geometries and the cases $N^2=I$ and $N^2=0$ -- to other "generalized geometries". These concepts …
This paper provides an alternative, much simpler, definition for Li-Bland's LA-Courant algebroids, or Poisson Lie 2-algebroids, in terms of split Lie 2-algebroids and self-dual 2-representations. This definition generalises in a precise sense the characterisation of (decomposed) double Lie algebroids via matched pairs of 2-representations. We use the known geometric examples of LA-Courant algebroids in order to provide new examples of Poisson Lie 2-algebroids, and we explain in this general context Roytenberg's equivalence of Courant algebroids with symplectic Lie 2-algebroids. We study furthe…
We introduce the notion of hypersymplectic structure on a Courant algebroid and we prove the existence of a one-to-one correspondence between hypersymplectic and hyperkähler structures. This correspondence provides a simpler way to define a hyperkähler structure on a Courant algebroid. We show that hypersymplectic structures on Courant algebroids encompass hyperkähler and hyperkähler structures with torsion on Lie algebroids. In the latter, the torsion existing at the Lie algebroid level is incorporated in the Courant structure. Cases of hypersymplectic structures on Courant algebroids which a…
We express any Courant algebroid bracket by means of a metric connection, and construct a Courant algebroid structure on any orthogonal Whitney sum $E\oplus C$ where E is a given Courant algebroid and C is a flat, pseudo- Euclidean vector bundle. Then, we establish the general expression of the bracket of a transitive Courant algebroid, i.e., a Courant algebroid with a surjective anchor, and describe a class of transitive Courant algebroids which are Whitney sums of a Courant subalgebroid with neutral metric and Courant-like bracket and a pseudo-Euclidean vector bundle with a flat, metric conn…
We introduce Courant algebroids, providing definitions, some historical notes, and some elementary properties. Next, we summarize basic properties of graded manifolds. Then, drawing on the work of Roytenberg and others, we introduce the graded or supergraded language demonstrating a cochain complex / cohomology for (general) Courant algebroids. We review spectral sequences and show how this tool is used to compute cohomology of regular Courant algebroids with a split base. Finally we analyze matched pairs of Courant algebroids including the complexified standard Courant algebroid of a complex …
We propose a definition of Poisson quasi-Nijenhuis Lie algebroids as a natural generalization of Poisson quasi-Nijenhuis manifolds and show that any such Lie algebroid has an associated quasi-Lie bialgebroid. Therefore, also an associated Courant algebroid is obtained. We introduce the notion of a morphism of quasi-Lie bialgebroids and of the induced Courant algebroids morphism and provide some examples of Courant algebroid morphisms. Finally, we use paired operators to deform doubles of Lie and quasi-Lie bialgebroids and find an application to generalized complex geometry.
We propose a definition of Jacobi quasi-Nijenhuis algebroid and show that any such Jacobi algebroid has an associated quasi-Jacobi bialgebroid. Therefore, also an associated Courant-Jacobi algebroid is obtained. We introduce the notions of quasi-Jacobi bialgebroid morphism and Courant-Jacobi algebroid morphism providing also some examples of Courant-Jacobi algebroid morphisms.
We study twisted Jacobi manifolds, a concept that we had introduced in a previous Note. Twisted Jacobi manifolds can be characterized using twisted Dirac-Jacobi, which are sub-bundles of Courant-Jacobi algebroids. We show that each twisted Jacobi manifold has an associated Lie algebroid with a 1-cocycle. We introduce the notion of quasi-Jacobi bialgebroid and we prove that each twisted Jacobi manifold has a quasi-Jacobi bialgebroid canonically associated. Moreover, the double of a quasi-Jacobi bialgebroid is a Courant-Jacobi algebroid. Several examples of twisted Jacobi manifolds and twisted D…
In this note, given a regular Courant algebroid, we compute its group of automorphisms relative to a dissection. We also propose an infinitesimal version and recover examples of the literature.
We establish some fundamental relations between Dirac subbundles $L$ for the generalized Courant algebroid $(A\oplus A^{\ast}, ϕ+W)$ over a differentiable manifold $M$ and the associated Dirac subbubndles $\tilde{L}$ for the corresponding Courant algebroid $\tilde{A} \oplus \tilde{A}^{\ast}$ over $M\times \R$.
We show that in analogy to the introduction of Poisson structures twisted by a closed 3-form by Park and Klimcik-Strobl, the study of three dimensional sigma models with Wess-Zumino term leads in a likewise way to twisting of Courant algebroid structures by closed 4-forms H. The presentation is kept pedagogical and accessible to physicists as well as to mathematicians, explaining in detail in particular the interplay of field transformations in a sigma model with the type of geometrical structures induced on a target. In fact, as we also show, even if one does not know the mathematical concept…
For any transversal-Courant algebroid $E$ on a foliated manifold $(M,\mathcal{F})$, and for any choice of a decomposition $TM=T\mathcal{F}\oplus Q$, we construct a Courant algebroid structure on $T\mathcal{F}\oplus T^*\mathcal{F}\oplus E$.
A notion of an algebroid - a generalization of a Lie algebroid structure is introduced. We show that many objects of the differential calculus on a manifold M associated with the canonical Lie algebroid structure on T^M can be obtained in the framework of a general algebroid. Also a compatibility condition which leads, in general, to a concept of a bialgebroid.
We define the transgression functor which associates to a (higher-dimensional) Courant algebroid on a manifold a Lie algebroid on the shifted tangent bundle of the manifold.