On complexes related with calculus of variations (Q1864923)

As well known, the Euler-Lagrange operator can be seen as a morphism of a complex on the space of infinite jets, the variational complex, the explanation of which is in a spectral sequence due to Vinogradov. Here the authors study the relation of this complex with another one which they introduce. The complex of variational derivatives, where each term consists of Lagrangians of multidimensioal paths, and the differential increases the dimension of paths by one. They also extend their formalism to forms on supermanifolds. Furthermore, it is proved that covariant Lagrangians that are coboundaries in the complex of variational derivatives must be of the first order. By using their results, the authors also prove that covariant Lagrangians of higher order can be used to represent characteristic classes.