Symmetries in Riemann-Cartan Geometries

Abstract

Riemann-Cartan geometries are geometries that admit non-zero curvature and torsion tensors. These geometries have been investigated as geometric frameworks for potential theories in physics including quantum gravity theories and have many important differences when compared to Riemannian geometries. One notable difference, is the number of symmetries for a Riemann-Cartan geometry is potentially smaller than the number of Killing vector fields for the metric. In this paper, we will review the investigation of symmetries in Riemann-Cartan geometries and the mathematical tools used to determine geometries that admit a given group of symmetries. As an illustration, we present new results by determining all static spherically symmetric and all stationary spherically symmetric Riemann-Cartan geometries. Furthermore, we have determined the subclasses of spherically symmetric Riemann-Cartan geometries that admit a seven-dimensional group of symmetries.