Remarks on the rational SFT formalism

TL;DR

This paper reviews how the algebraic aspects of recent rational symplectic field theory (SFT) invariants of contact manifolds can be expressed within the original algebraic framework of SFT, clarifying their foundational connections.

Contribution

It demonstrates how the algebraic components of recent SFT invariants align with the original formalism by Eliashberg, Givental, and Hofer, providing conceptual clarity.

Findings

Reconciliation of recent SFT invariants with original algebraic formalism

Clarification of the algebraic structure underlying rational SFT

Enhanced understanding of contact manifold invariants

Abstract

Recent work of Siegel and of Moreno and Zhou uses rational symplectic field theory to construct (different) invariants of contact manifolds. Here, I review how the algebraic parts of their work can be phrased in the algebraic language of the original description of SFT by Eliashberg, Givental and Hofer.