Homotopy Rota-Baxter operators, homotopy $\mathcal{O}$-operators and homotopy post-Lie algebras

Abstract

Rota-Baxter operators, $\mathcal{O}$-operators on Lie algebras and their interconnected pre-Lie and post-Lie algebras are important algebraic structures with applications in mathematical physics. This paper introduces the notions of a homotopy Rota-Baxter operator and a homotopy $\mathcal{O}$-operator on a symmetric graded Lie algebra. Their characterization by Maurer-Cartan elements of suitable differential graded Lie algebras is provided. Through the action of a homotopy $\mathcal{O}$-operator on a symmetric graded Lie algebra, we arrive at the notion of an operator homotopy post-Lie algebra, together with its characterization in terms of Maurer-Cartan elements. A cohomology theory of post-Lie algebras is established, with an application to 2-term skeletal operator homotopy post-Lie algebras.