The Geometric Deformation of Curved $L_\infty$ Algebras and Lie Algebroids
Year: 2026
Type: article
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.
Author: Xiaoyi Cui
Institution: Sun Yat-sen University
Language: English
Subfield: Mathematical Physics
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4384616477