Supergeometry of three-dimensional black holes

We show how the supersymmetric properties of three-dimensional black holes can be obtained algebraically. The black hole solutions are constructed as quotients of the supergroup OSp(1‖2;R) by a discrete subgroup of its isometry supergroup. The generators of the action of the isometry supergroup which commute with these identifications are found. These yield the supersymmetries for the black hole as found in recent studies as well as the usual geometric isometries. It is also shown that, in the limit of a vanishing cosmological constant, the black hole vacuum becomes a null orbifold, a solution previously discussed in the context of string theory. © 1996 The American Physical Society.