Starting from the general concept of a Lie derivative of an arbitrary differentiable map, we develop a systematic theory of Lie differentiation in the framework of reductive G-structures P on a principal bundle Q. It is shown that these structures admit a canonical decomposition of the pull-back vector bundle i * P (T Q) ≡ P ×Q T Q over P . For classical G-structures, i.e. reductive G-subbundles of the linear frame bundle, such a decomposition defines an infinitesimal canonical lift. This lift extends to a prolongation Γ-structure on P . In this general geometric framework the concept of a Lie derivative of spinor fields is reviewed. On specializing to the case of the Kosmann lift, we recover Kosmann's original definition. We also show that in the case of a reductive G-structure one can introduce a "reductive Lie derivative" with respect to a certain class of generalized infinitesimal automorphisms, and, as an interesting by-product, prove a result due to Bourguignon and Gauduchon in a more general manner. Next, we give a new characterization as well as a generalization of the Killing equation, and propose a geometric reinterpretation of Penrose's Lie derivative of "spinor fields". Finally, we present an important application of the theory of the Lie derivative of spinor fields to the calculus of variations.

Reductive G-structures on a principal bundle Q are considered. It is shown that these structures, i.e. reductive G-subbundles P of Q, admit a canonical decomposition of the pull-back vector bundle i * P (T Q) ≡ P ×Q T Q over P . For classical G-structures, i.e. reductive G-subbundles of the linear frame bundle, such a decomposition defines an infinitesimal canonical lift. This lift extends to a prolongation Γ-structure on P . In this general geometric framework the theory of Lie derivatives is considered. Particular emphasis is given to the morphisms which must be taken in order to state what kind of Lie derivative has to be chosen. On specializing the general theory of gauge-natural Lie derivatives of spinor fields to the case of the Kosmann lift, we recover the result originally found by Kosmann. We also show that in the case of a reductive G-structure one can introduce a "reductive Lie derivative" with respect to a certain class of generalized infinitesimal automorphisms. This differs, in general, from the gauge-natural one, and we conclude by showing that the "metric Lie derivative" introduced by Bourguignon and Gauduchon is in fact a particular kind of reductive rather than gauge-natural Lie derivative.

We present a clear-cut example of the importance of the functorial approach of gauge-natural bundles and the general theory of Lie derivatives for classical field theory, where the sole correct geometrical formulation of Einstein (-Cartan) gravity coupled with Dirac fields gives rise to an unexpected indeterminacy in the concept of conserved quantities.Comment: LaTeX (20 pages, 2 runs). Enlarged introduction, corrected typos, updated reference

In this paper we redefine the well-known metric-affine Hilbert Lagrangian in terms of a spin-connection and a spin-tetrad. On applying the Poincaré-Cartan method and using the geometry of gauge-natural bundles, a global gravitational superpotential is derived. On specializing to the case of the Kosmann lift, we recover the result originally found by Kijowski () for the metric (natural) Hilbert Lagrangian. On choosing a different, suitable lift, we can also recover the Nester-Witten 2-form, which plays an important role in the energy positivity proof and in many quasi-local definitions of mass.

Two-spinor formalism for Einstein Lagrangian is developed. The gravitational field is regarded as a composite object derived from soldering forms. Our formalism is geometrically and globally well-defined and may be used in virtually any 4m-dimensional manifold with arbitrary signature as well as without any stringent topological requirement on space-time, such as parallelizability. Interactions and feedbacks between gravity and spinor fields are considered. As is well known, the Hilbert-Einstein Lagrangian is second order also when expressed in terms of soldering forms. A covariant splitting is then analysed leading to a first order Lagrangian which is recognized to play a fundamental role in the theory of conserved quantities. The splitting and thence the first order Lagrangian depend on a reference spin connection which is physically interpreted as setting the zero level for conserved quantities. A complete and detailed treatment of conserved quantities is then presented.