Solutions of arbitrary topology in 1+1 gravity

We present a classification of all global solutions for generalized 2D dilaton gravity models (with Lorentzian signature). While for some of the popular choices of potential-like terms in the Lagrangian, describing, e.g., string inspired dilaton gravity or spherically reduced gravity, the possible topologies of the resulting spacetimes are restricted severely, we find that for generic choices of these `potentials' there exist maximally extended solutions to the field equations on all non-compact two-surfaces.Comment: 4 pages, LaTex, 5 eps-figures; contribution to the 2nd Conference on Constrained Dynamics and Quantum Gravity, Santa Margherita Ligure, September 199

Explicit Global Coordinates for Schwarzschild and Reissner-Nordstroem

We construct coordinate systems that cover all of the Reissner-Nordstroem solution with m>|q| and m=|q|, respectively. This is possible by means of elementary analytical functions. The limit of vanishing charge q provides an alternative to Kruskal which, to our mind, is more explicit and simpler. The main tool for finding these global charts is the description of highly symmetrical metrics by two-dimensional actions. Careful gauge fixing yields global representatives of the two-dimensional theory that can be rewritten easily as the corresponding four-dimensional line elements.Comment: 12 pages, 3 Postscript figures, sign error in Eq. (37) and below corrected, references and Note added; to appear in Class. Quantum Gra

2d quantum dilaton gravity as/versus finite dimensional quantum mechanical systems

I present the ``Chern--Simons'' formulation of generalized 2d dilaton gravity, summarize its Hamiltonian quantization (reduced phase space and Dirac quantization) and briefly discuss the statistical mechanical entropy of 2d black holes. Focus is put on the close relation to finite dimensional point particle systems.Comment: 4 pages, Latex; talk delivered at the 2nd Conference on Constrained Dynamics and Quantum Gravity, Santa Margherita Ligure, September 199

Classical and Quantum Gravity in 1+1 Dimensions, Part III: Solutions of Arbitrary Topology

All global solutions of arbitrary topology of the most general 1+1 dimensional dilaton gravity models are obtained. We show that for a generic model there are globally smooth solutions on any non-compact 2-surface. The solution space is parametrized explicitly and the geometrical significance of continuous and discrete labels is elucidated. As a corollary we gain insight into the (in general non-trivial) topology of the reduced phase space. The classification covers basically all 2D metrics of Lorentzian signature with a (local) Killing symmetry.Comment: 39 pages, 22 figures, uses AMSTeX, extended version of former chapter 7 (Gravitational Kinks) now available as gr-qc/9707053, problem with figure 6 fixe

Hamiltonian BRST deformation of a class of n-dimensional BF-type theories

Consistent Hamiltonian interactions that can be added to an abelian free BF-type class of theories in any n greater or equal to 4 spacetime dimensions are constructed in the framework of the Hamiltonian BRST deformation based on cohomological techniques. The resulting model is an interacting field theory in higher dimensions with an open algebra of on-shell reducible first-class constraints. We argue that the Hamiltonian couplings are related to a natural structure of Poisson manifold on the target space.Comment: 27 pages, uses JHEP3.cl

On the generalized Freedman-Townsend model

Consistent interactions that can be added to a free, Abelian gauge theory comprising a finite collection of BF models and a finite set of two-form gauge fields (with the Lagrangian action written in first-order form as a sum of Abelian Freedman-Townsend models) are constructed from the deformation of the solution to the master equation based on specific cohomological techniques. Under the hypotheses of smoothness in the coupling constant, locality, Lorentz covariance, and Poincare invariance of the interactions, supplemented with the requirement on the preservation of the number of derivatives on each field with respect to the free theory, we obtain that the deformation procedure modifies the Lagrangian action, the gauge transformations as well as the accompanying algebra. The interacting Lagrangian action contains a generalized version of non-Abelian Freedman-Townsend model. The consistency of interactions to all orders in the coupling constant unfolds certain equations, which are shown to have solutions.Comment: LaTeX, 62 page

Self-interactions in a topological BF-type model in D=5

All consistent interactions in five spacetime dimensions that can be added to a free BF-type model involving one scalar field, two types of one-forms, two sorts of two-forms, and one three-form are investigated by means of deforming the solution to the master equation with the help of specific cohomological techniques. The couplings are obtained on the grounds of smoothness, locality, (background) Lorentz invariance, Poincar\'{e} invariance, and the preservation of the number of derivatives on each field.Comment: LaTeX, 57 pages, final version, matching the published pape

Poisson-sigma model for 2D gravity with non-metricity

We present a Poisson-sigma model describing general 2D dilaton gravity with non-metricity, torsion and curvature. It involves three arbitrary functions of the dilaton field, two of which are well-known from metric compatible theories, while the third one characterizes the local strength of non-metricity. As an example we show that alpha' corrections in 2D string theory can generate (target space) non-metricity.Comment: 9 page

Non-existence of a dilaton gravity action for the exact string black hole

We prove that no local diffeomorphism invariant two-dimensional theory of the metric and the dilaton without higher derivatives can describe the exact string black hole solution found a decade ago by Dijkgraaf, Verlinde and Verlinde. One of the key points in this proof is the concept of dilaton-shift invariance. We present and solve (classically) all dilaton-shift invariant theories of two-dimensional dilaton gravity. Two such models, resembling the exact string black hole and generalizing the CGHS model, are discussed explicitly.Comment: 24 pages, 3 eps-figures, revised version (more references, clarified some of the discussion