Deformations of pre-symplectic structures and the Koszul $L_\infty$-algebra

Abstract

We study the deformation theory of pre-symplectic structures, i.e. closed two-forms of fixed rank. The main result is a parametrization of nearby deformations of a given pre-symplectic structure in terms of an $L_\infty$-algebra, which we call Koszul $L_\infty$-algebra. This $L_\infty$-algebra is a cousin of the Koszul dg Lie algebra associated to a Poisson manifold. In addition, we show that a quotient of the Koszul $L_{\infty}$-algebra is isomorphic to the $L_\infty$-algebra which controls the deformations of the underlying characteristic foliation. Finally, we show that the infinitesimal deformations of pre-symplectic structures and of foliations are both obstructed.