The Hamilton-Jacobi characteristic equations for topological invariants: Pontryagin and Euler classes

Abstract

By using the Hamilton-Jacobi [HJ] framework the topological theories associated with Euler and Pontryagin classes are analyzed. We report the construction of a fundamental $HJ$ differential where the characteristic equations and the symmetries of the theory are identified. Moreover, we work in both theories with the same phase space variables and we show that in spite of Pontryagin and Euler classes share the same equations of motion their symmetries are different. In addition, we report all HJ Hamiltonians and we compare our results with other formulations reported in the literature.

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