In theories such as teleparallel gravity and its extensions, the frame basis replaces the metric tensor as the primary object of study. A choice of coordinate system, frame basis, and spin-connection must be made to obtain a solution from the field equations of a given teleparallel gravity theory. It is worthwhile to express solutions in an invariant manner in terms of torsion invariants to distinguish between different solutions. In this paper, we discuss the symmetries of teleparallel gravity theories, describe the classification of the torsion tensor and its covariant derivative, and define scalar invariants in terms of the torsion. In particular, we propose a modification of the Cartan–Karlhede algorithm for geometries with torsion (and no curvature or nonmetricity). The algorithm determines the dimension of the symmetry group for a solution and suggests an alternative frame-based approach to calculating symmetries. We prove that the only maximally symmetric solution to any theory of gravitation admitting a non-zero torsion tensor is Minkowski space. As an illustration, we apply the algorithm to six particular exact teleparallel geometries. From these examples, we notice that the symmetry group of the solutions of a teleparallel gravity theory is potentially smaller than their metric-based analogs in general relativity.

We introduce the concept of a geometric horizon, which is a surface distinguished by the vanishing of certain curvature invariants which characterize its special algebraic character. We motivate its use for the detection of the event horizon of a stationary black hole by providing a set of appropriate scalar polynomial curvature invariants that vanish on this surface. We extend this result by proving that a non-expanding horizon, which generalizes a Killing horizon, coincides with the geometric horizon. Finally, we consider the imploding spherically symmetric metrics and show that the geometric horizon identifies a unique quasi-local surface corresponding to the unique spherically symmetric marginally trapped tube, implying that the spherically symmetric dynamical black holes admit a geometric horizon. Based on these results, we propose a suite of conjectures concerning the application of geometric horizons to more general dynamical black hole scenarios.

We construct a scalar polynomial curvature invariant that transforms covariantly under a conformal transformation from any spherically symmetric metric. This invariant has the additional property that it vanishes on the event horizon of any black hole that is conformal to a static spherical metric.

A frame approach to determining the most general solution admitting a desired symmetry group has previously been examined in Riemannian and teleparallel geometries with some success. In teleparallel geometries, one must determine the general form of the frame and spin connection to generate a general solution admitting the desired symmetry group. Current approaches often rely on the use of the proper frame, where the spin connection is zero. However, this leads to particular theoretical and practical problems. In this paper, we introduce an entirely general approach to determining the most general Riemann–Cartan geometries that admit a given symmetry group and apply these results to teleparallel geometries. To illustrate the approach, we determine the most general geometries, with the minimal number of arbitrary functions, for particular choices of symmetry groups with dimension one, three, six, and seven. In addition, we rigorously show how the teleparallel analog of the Robertson–Walker, de Sitter, and Einstein static spacetimes can be determined.

We are interested in the development of spherically symmetric geometries inF(T) teleparallel gravity which are of physical importance. We first express the general forms for the spherically symmetric frame and the zero curvature, metric compatible, spin connection. We then analyse the antisymmetric field equations (the solutions of which split into two cases, which we subsequently consider separately), and derive and analyse the resulting symmetric field equations. In order to further study the applications of spherically symmetric teleparallel models, we study 3 subcases in which there is an additional affine symmetry so that the resulting field equations reduce to a system of ordinary differential equations. First, we study static spherical symmetric geometries and solve the antisymmetric field equations and subsequently derive the full set of symmetric field equations. In particular, we investigate vacuum spacetimes and obtain a number of new solutions. Second, we consider an additional affine frame symmetry in order to expand the affine frame symmetry group to that of a spatially homogeneous Kantowski–Sachs geometry. Third, we study the special case of spherical symmetry with an additional fourth similarity affine vector.