An Introduction to $L_\infty$-Algebras and their Homotopy Theory

Abstract: In this review we give a detailed introduction to the theory of (curved) $L_\infty$-algebras and $L_\infty$-morphisms. In particular, we recall the notion of (curved) Maurer-Cartan elements, their equivalence classes and the twisting procedure. The main focus is then the study of the homotopy theory of $L_\infty$-algebras and $L_\infty$-modules. In particular, one can interpret $L_\infty$-morphisms and morphisms of $L_\infty$-modules as Maurer-Cartan elements in certain $L_\infty$-algebras, and we show that twisting the morphisms with equivalent Maurer-Cartan elements yields homotopic morphisms.