On a class of polynomial Lagrangians

Abstract

In the framework of finite order variational sequences a new class of Lagrangians arises, namely, \emph{special} Lagrangians. These Lagrangians are the horizontalization of forms on a jet space of lower order. We describe their properties together with properties of related objects, such as Poincar\'e--Cartan and Euler--Lagrange forms, momenta and momenta of generating forms, a new geometric object arising in variational sequences. Finally, we provide a simple but important example of special Lagrangian, namely the Hilbert--Einstein Lagrangian.