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arXiv · 0708.1391

Geometry and dynamics of higher-spin frame fields

Johan Engquist·Olaf Hohm
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Abstract

We give a systematic account of unconstrained free bosonic higher-spin fields on D-dimensional Minkowski and (Anti-)de Sitter spaces in the frame formalism. The generalized spin connections are determined by solving a chain of torsion-like constraints. Via a generalization of the vielbein postulate these allow to determine higher-spin Christoffel symbols, whose relation to the de Wit--Freedman connections is discussed. We prove that the generalized Einstein equations, despite being of higher-derivative order, give rise to the AdS Fronsdal equations in the compensator formulation. To this end we derive Damour-Deser identities for arbitrary spin on AdS. Finally we discuss the possibility of a geometrical and local action principle, which is manifestly invariant under unconstrained higher-spin symmetries.

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Johan Engquist, Olaf Hohm. 2007-10-30. Geometry and dynamics of higher-spin frame fields. https://doi.org/10.1088/1126-6708%2F2008%2F04%2F101

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