Higher dimensional static and spherically symmetric solutions in extended Gauss-Bonnet gravity

Abstract: We study a theory of gravity of the form $f(\mathcal{G})$ where $\mathcal{G}$ is the Gauss-Bonnet topological invariant without considering the standard Einstein-Hilbert term as common in the literature, in arbitrary $(d+1)$ dimensions. The approach is motivated by the fact that, in particular conditions, the Ricci curvature scalar can be easily recovered and then a pure $f(\cal G)$ gravity can be considered a further generalization of General Relativity like $f(R)$ gravity. Searching for Noether symmetries, we specify the functional forms invariant under point transformations in a static and spherically symmetric spacetime and, with the help of these symmetries, we find exact solutions showing that Gauss-Bonnet gravity is significant without assuming the Ricci scalar in the action.