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arXiv · 1011.6411

String Theory and The Velo-Zwanziger Problem

Massimo Porrati·Rakibur Rahman·Augusto Sagnotti
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Abstract

We examine the behavior of the leading Regge trajectory of the open bosonic string in a uniform electromagnetic background and present a consistent set of Fierz-Pauli conditions for these symmetric tensors that generalizes the Argyres-Nappi spin-2 result. These equations indicate that String Theory does bypass the Velo-Zwanziger problem, i.e. the loss of causality experienced by a massive high-spin field minimally coupled to electromagnetism. Moreover, we provide some evidence that only the first Regge trajectory can be described in isolation and show that the open-string spectrum is free of ghosts in weak constant backgrounds. Finally, we comment on the roles of the critical dimension and of the gyromagnetic ratio.

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Massimo Porrati, Rakibur Rahman, Augusto Sagnotti. 2011-01-31. String Theory and The Velo-Zwanziger Problem. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2011.01.007

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