Covariant Phase Space Formulation of Parametrized Field Theories

Abstract

Parametrized field theories, which are generally covariant versions of ordinary field theories, are studied from the point of view of the covariant phase space: the space of solutions of the field equations equipped with a canonical (pre)symplectic structure. Motivated by issues arising in general relativity, we focus on: phase space representations of the spacetime diffeomorphism group, construction of observables, and the relationship between the canonical and covariant phase spaces.