Modular classes revisited

Abstract

We present a graded-geometric approach to modular classes of Lie algebroids and their generalizations, introducing in this setting an idea of relative modular class of a Dirac structure for a certain type of Courant algebroids, called projectable. This novel approach puts several concepts related to Poisson geometry and its generalizations in a new light and simplifies proofs. It gives, in particular, a nice geometric interpretation of modular classes of twisted-Poisson structures on Lie algebroids.