Modular class of Lie $\infty$-algebroids and adjoint representation

Abstract

We study the modular class of $Q$-manifolds, and in particular of negatively graded Lie $\infty$-algebroid. We show the equivalence of several descriptions of those classes, that it matches the classes introduced by various authors and that the notion is homotopy invariant. In the process, the adjoint and coadjoint actions up to homotopy of a Lie $\infty$-algebroid are spelled out. We also wrote down explicitly some dualities, e.g. between representations up to homotopies of Lie $\infty$-algebroids and their $Q$-manifold equivalent, which we hope to be of use for future reference.

In memory of Kirill Mackenzie. 32 pages, to appear in Journal of Geometric Mechanics