The Geometric Deformation of Curved $L_\infty$ Algebras and Lie Algebroids

While $L_\infty$ algebras are fundamental structures in differential geometry and mathematical physics, the geometric information encoded in such structures is often implicit. We address the following question: What constitutes a geometrically meaningful deformation of an $L_\infty$ algebra arising from vector bundles, and how can such deformations classify new geometric invariants? Inspired by nonabelian extension theory of Lie algebras, we define geometric deformations of curved $L_\infty$ algebras constructed from a vector bundle $V\to M$, and demonstrate that such deformations uniquely correspond to Lie algebroid structures on $V$. Explicit computations reveal that a representative of the first Atiyah-Chern class is exact in the total Weil complex, with its primitive representing the modular class in Lie algebroid cohomology. In the case of action Lie algebroids, the leading-order Atiyah-Chern classes correspond to the equivariant Chern characters. Applications to BV theories show that the geometric deformations naturally generate Poisson sigma models. These results provide a coherent framework for deriving field theories from geometric deformations of $L_\infty$ algebras.

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Publication Details

Journal
Symmetry Integrability and Geometry Methods and Applications
Published
2026-11-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3842/sigma.2026.110
Primary Topic
Homotopy and Cohomology in Algebraic Topology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

The Geometric Deformation of Curved $L_\infty$ Algebras and Lie Algebroids

Xiaoyi Cui
Symmetry Integrability and Geometry Methods and Applications
Homotopy and Cohomology in Algebraic Topology
article

The Geometric Deformation of Curved $L_\infty$ Algebras and Lie Algebroids

Xiaoyi Cui
article en

Abstract

While $L_\infty$ algebras are fundamental structures in differential geometry and mathematical physics, the geometric information encoded in such structures is often implicit. We address the following question: What constitutes a geometrically meaningful deformation of an $L_\infty$ algebra arising from vector bundles, and how can such deformations classify new geometric invariants? Inspired by nonabelian extension theory of Lie algebras, we define geometric deformations of curved $L_\infty$ algebras constructed from a vector bundle $V\to M$, and demonstrate that such deformations uniquely correspond to Lie algebroid structures on $V$. Explicit computations reveal that a representative of the first Atiyah-Chern class is exact in the total Weil complex, with its primitive representing the modular class in Lie algebroid cohomology. In the case of action Lie algebroids, the leading-order Atiyah-Chern classes correspond to the equivariant Chern characters. Applications to BV theories show that the geometric deformations naturally generate Poisson sigma models. These results provide a coherent framework for deriving field theories from geometric deformations of $L_\infty$ algebras.

Symmetry Integrability and Geometry Methods and Applications
Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province
Homotopy and Cohomology in Algebraic Topology
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