On the symplectic formalism for general relativity

Abstract

A covariant formalism for the hamiltonian formulation of general relativity in arbitrary dimensions is presented. Specifically, a presymplectic form on the solution space for the vacuum equations in n dimensions is given. The basic variables are taken to be a soldering form and a torsion-free connection on an SO ( p , q )-bundle over the space-time manifold M . It is shown how the present formalism is related to the standard ADM-formalism.