Higher dimensional black holes as constrained systems

Abstract

We construct a Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation for charged black holes in a d-dimensional maximally symmetric spherical space. By considering first new variables that give raise to an interesting dimensional reduction of the problem, we show that the introduction of a charge term is compatible with classical solutions to Einstein equations. In fact, we derive the well-known solutions for charged black holes, specially in the case of d=4, where the Reissner-Nordstr\"om solution holds, without reference to Einstein field equations. We argue that our procedure may be of help for clarifying symmetries and dynamics of black holes, as well as some quantum aspects.