Leibniz algebroids, twistings and exceptional generalized geometry (Q413667)

Inspired by generalized and exceptional generalized geometry, the author studies a class of Leibniz algebroids, precisely, the ones which are invariant under diffeomorphisms and symmetries involving collections of closed differential forms. Under appropriate assumptions, he arrives at a classification of the local form of a closed form Leibniz algebroid which, in particular, gives a construction starting from graded Lie algebras. In this case, the Leibniz bracket is a derived bracket and there are higher derived brackets resulting in an \(L_{\infty}\)-structure. Passing from the local classification mentioned above, he also gives a global classification of Leibniz algebroids in terms of a non-abelian generalization of de Rham cohomology. By twisting the algebroids by a non-abelian cohomology class, the obtained twisting class is described by a Maurer-Cartan equation. For compact manifolds, a Kuranishi moduli space of this equation is constructed which is shown to be affine algebraic. Finally, it is explained how these results are related to generalized and exceptional generalized geometry.