Relative Rota-Baxter Leibniz algebras, their characterization and cohomology

Abstract: Recently, relative Rota-Baxter (Lie/associative) algebras are extensively studied in the literature from cohomological points of view. In this paper, we consider relative Rota-Baxter Leibniz algebras (rRB Leibniz algebras) as the object of our study. We construct an $L_\infty$-algebra that characterizes rRB Leibniz algebras as its Maurer-Cartan elements. Then we define representations of an rRB Leibniz algebra and introduce cohomology with coefficients in a representation. As applications of cohomology, we study deformations and abelian extensions of rRB Leibniz algebras.