A vertical exterior derivative in multisymplectic geometry and a graded Poisson bracket for nontrivial geometries (Q5933511)

The author gives a global description of the vertical exterior derivative on multisymplectic manifolds over nontrivial vector bundles. This tool was introduced by \textit{I. V. Kanatchikov} in [Rep. Math. Phys. 41, No. 1, 49-90 (1998; Zbl 0947.70020) and Rep. Math. Phys. 43, No. 1-2, 157-170 (1999; Zbl 0980.53103)] in order to define a graded Poisson bracket for trivial vector bundles over orientable manifolds. To do this construction, a covariant derivative is used, which is flat along the fibers of phase space. Moreover, the Poisson bracket between Hamiltonian forms is defined and its defining properties are proved. Finally, time-dependent mechanics and the case of a scalar field are discussed.