Courant algebroids: Cohomology and Matched Pairs

Abstract

We introduce Courant algebroids, providing definitions, some historical notes, and some elementary properties. Next, we summarize basic properties of graded manifolds. Then, drawing on the work of Roytenberg and others, we introduce the graded or supergraded language demonstrating a cochain complex / cohomology for (general) Courant algebroids. We review spectral sequences and show how this tool is used to compute cohomology of regular Courant algebroids with a split base. Finally we analyze matched pairs of Courant algebroids including the complexified standard Courant algebroid of a complex manifold, the matched pair arising from a holomorphic Courant algebroid, and certain cases of regular Courant algebroids.