Iterated Differential Forms III: Integral Calculus

Basic elements of integral calculus over algebras of iterated differential forms, are presented. In particular, defining complexes for modules of integral forms are described and the corresponding berezinians and complexes of integral forms are computed. Various applications and the integral calculus over the algebra $\Lambda_{\infty}$ will be discussed in subsequent notes.Comment: 7 pages, submitted to Math. Dok

Iterated Differential Forms VI: Differential Equations

We describe the first term of the $\Lambda_{k-1}\mathcal{C}$--spectral sequence (see math.DG/0610917) of the diffiety (E,C), E being the infinite prolongation of an l-normal system of partial differential equations, and C the Cartan distribution on it.Comment: 8 pages, to appear in Dokl. Mat

Iterated Differential Forms V: C-Spectral Sequence on Infinite Jet Spaces

In the preceding note math.DG/0610917 the $\Lambda_{k-1}\mathcal{C}$--spectral sequence, whose first term is composed of \emph{secondary iterated differential forms}, was constructed for a generic diffiety. In this note the zero and first terms of this spectral sequence are explicitly computed for infinite jet spaces. In particular, this gives an explicit description of secondary covariant tensors on these spaces and some basic operations with them. On the basis of these results a description of the $\Lambda_{k-1}\mathcal{C}$--spectral sequence for infinitely prolonged PDE's will be given in the subsequent note.Comment: 9 pages, to appear in Math. Dok

The Hamilton-Jacobi Formalism for Higher Order Field Theories

We extend the geometric Hamilton-Jacobi formalism for hamiltonian mechanics to higher order field theories with regular lagrangian density. We also investigate the dependence of the formalism on the lagrangian density in the class of those yelding the same Euler-Lagrange equations.Comment: 25 page

On the Strong Homotopy Lie-Rinehart Algebra of a Foliation

It is well known that a foliation F of a smooth manifold M gives rise to a rich cohomological theory, its characteristic (i.e., leafwise) cohomology. Characteristic cohomologies of F may be interpreted, to some extent, as functions on the space P of integral manifolds (of any dimension) of the characteristic distribution C of F. Similarly, characteristic cohomologies with local coefficients in the normal bundle TM/C of F may be interpreted as vector fields on P. In particular, they possess a (graded) Lie bracket and act on characteristic cohomology H. In this paper, I discuss how both the Lie bracket and the action on H come from a strong homotopy structure at the level of cochains. Finally, I show that such a strong homotopy structure is canonical up to isomorphisms.Comment: 41 pages, v2: almost completely rewritten, title changed; v3: presentation partly changed after numerous suggestions by Jim Stasheff, mathematical content unchanged; v4: minor revisions, references added. v5: (hopefully) final versio

Geometric Hamilton-Jacobi Field Theory

I briefly review my proposal about how to extend the geometric Hamilton-Jacobi theory to higher derivative field theories on fiber bundles.Comment: 9 Pages, contains material presented at the workshop FunInGeo, 08-12 June 2011, Ischia (NA) Italy, In honour of Giuseppe Marmos's 65th birthday. No proof

Iterated Differential Forms I: Tensors

We interpret tensors on a smooth manifold M as differential forms over a graded commutative algebra called the algebra of iterated differential forms over M. This allows us to put standard tensor calculus in a new differentially closed context and, in particular, enriches it with new natural operations. Applications will be considered in subsequent notes.Comment: 9 pages, extended version of the published note Dokl. Math. 73, n. 2 (2006) 16

On Higher Derivatives as Constraints in Field Theory: a Geometric Perspective

We formalize geometrically the idea that the (de Donder) Hamiltonian formulation of a higher derivative Lagrangian field theory can be constructed understanding the latter as a first derivative theory subjected to constraints.Comment: 7 page

Iterated Differential Forms IV: C-Spectral Sequence

For the multiple differential algebra of iterated differential forms (see math.DG/0605113 and math.DG/0609287) on a diffiety (O,C) an analogue of C-spectral sequence is constructed. The first term of it is naturally interpreted as the algebra of secondary iterated differential forms on (O,C). This allows to develop secondary tensor analysis on generic diffieties, some simplest elements of which are sketched here. The presented here general theory will be specified to infinite jet spaces and infinitely prolonged PDEs in subsequent notes.Comment: 8 pages, submitted to Math. Dok

Iterated Differential Forms II: Riemannian Geometry Revisited

A natural extension of Riemannian geometry to a much wider context is presented on the basis of the iterated differential form formalism developed in math.DG/0605113 and an application to general relativity is given.Comment: 12 pages, extended version of the published note Dokl. Math. 73, n. 2 (2006) 18