# $L_{\infty}$ Algebras and Field Theory

## TL;DR

This paper explores the role of $L_$ algebras in describing the gauge structures of various perturbative field theories, revealing that they provide a unifying algebraic framework for classical gauge-invariant theories.

## Contribution

It develops the general properties of $L_$ algebras in field theory and demonstrates their application to gauge theories, gravity, and double field theory, highlighting their importance in classifying such theories.

## Key findings

- $L_$ algebras describe gauge structures in field theories.
- Full $L_$ algebras are needed for interacting theories.
- Gauge theories with strict Lie algebra structures fit within $L_$ frameworks.

## Abstract

We review and develop the general properties of $L_\infty$ algebras focusing on the gauge structure of the associated field theories. Motivated by the $L_\infty$ homotopy Lie algebra of closed string field theory and the work of Roytenberg and Weinstein describing the Courant bracket in this language we investigate the $L_\infty$ structure of general gauge invariant perturbative field theories. We sketch such formulations for non-abelian gauge theories, Einstein gravity, and for double field theory. We find that there is an $L_\infty$ algebra for the gauge structure and a larger one for the full interacting field theory. Theories where the gauge structure is a strict Lie algebra often require the full $L_\infty$ algebra for the interacting theory. The analysis suggests that $L_\infty$ algebras provide a classification of perturbative gauge invariant classical field theories.