Variational techniques on classes of Lagrangians (Q1098658)

We present canonical procedures for the manipulation of whole classes of Lagrangian that share the same transformation law and functional dependence but are otherwise arbitrary in functional form, and for the derivation therefrom of generalized conserved quantities. The techniques are demonstrated on the class of scalar density Lagrangrians \(L=L_ G+L_{EM}\), where \(L_ G\) is a function of the metric and its first and second derivatives and \(L_{EM}\) is a function of the metric and a vector potential and its first derivative, which generate the Einstein- Maxwell equations (without cosmological constant). These procedures should be of interest to those studying alternate formulations of general relativity, those deriving new field theories, and others working with general of modified Lagrangians.