Equivalent conserved currents and generalized Noether's theorem (Q762460)

The author proves that the equivalence classes of conserved currents correspond to symmetries in a classical field theory, rather than individual currents. This correspondence takes place in a two-stage process: first the Lagrange multiplier of the conservation law determines the corresponding equivalence class, and second the Lagrange multiplier is determined by an infinitesimal symmetry. The concept of a ''Noether'' field theory is also introduced essentially as a theory for which Noether's theorem applies. Not only does this include the cases of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian field theories; these structures are derived from the Noether property in a natural way.