String Amplitudes and Frame-like Formalism for Higher Spins

We analyze open string vertex operators describing connection gauge fields for spin 3 in Vasiliev's frame-like formalism and perform their extended BRST analysis. Gauge symmetry transformations, generalized zero torsion constraints relating extra fields to the dynamical frame-like field and relation between dynamical frame-like field and fully symmetric Fronsdal's field for spin 3 are all realized in terms of BRST constraints on these vertex operators in string theory. Using the construction, we analyze the 3-point correlator for spin 3 field and calculate Chern-Simons type cubic interactions described by 3-derivative Berends-Burgers-van Dam (BBD) type vertex in the frame-like formalism.Comment: 25 page

Magnetoelastic Coupling in the Spin-Dimer System TlCuCl3_3

We present high-resolution measurements of the thermal expansion and the magnetostriction of TlCuCl$_{3}$ which shows field-induced antiferromagnetic order. We find pronounced anomalies in the field and temperature dependence of different directions of the lattice signaling a large magnetoelastic coupling. The phase boundary is extremely sensitive to pressure, e.g. the transition field would change by about +/- 185$%/GPa under uniaxial pressure applied along certain directions. This drastic effect can unambiguously be traced back to changes of the intradimer coupling under uniaxial pressure. The interdimer couplings remain essentially unchanged under pressure, but strongly change when Tl is replaced by K.Comment: 4 pages with 4 figures include

Lagrangian Formulation for Free Mixed-Symmetry Bosonic Gauge Fields in (A)dS(d)

Covariant Lagrangian formulation for free bosonic massless fields of arbitrary mixed-symmetry type in (A)dS(d) space-time is presented. The analysis is based on the frame-like formulation of higher-spin field dynamics [1] with higher-spin fields described as p-forms taking values in appropriate modules of the (A)dS(d). The problem of finding free field action is reduced to the analysis of an appropriate differential complex, with the derivation Q associated with the variation of the action. The constructed action exhibits additional gauge symmetries in the flat limit in agreement with the general structure of gauge symmetries for mixed-symmetry fields in Minkowski and (A)dS(d) spaces.Comment: 17 pages, v2: clarifications added, misprints corrected; v3: minor changes, typos correcte

Higher Spin Gravitational Couplings and the Yang--Mills Detour Complex

Gravitational interactions of higher spin fields are generically plagued by inconsistencies. We present a simple framework that couples higher spins to a broad class of gravitational backgrounds (including Ricci flat and Einstein) consistently at the classical level. The model is the simplest example of a Yang--Mills detour complex, which recently has been applied in the mathematical setting of conformal geometry. An analysis of asymptotic scattering states about the trivial field theory vacuum in the simplest version of the theory yields a rich spectrum marred by negative norm excitations. The result is a theory of a physical massless graviton, scalar field, and massive vector along with a degenerate pair of zero norm photon excitations. Coherent states of the unstable sector of the model do have positive norms, but their evolution is no longer unitary and their amplitudes grow with time. The model is of considerable interest for braneworld scenarios and ghost condensation models, and invariant theory.Comment: 19 pages LaTe

Higher-spin current multiplets in operator-product expansions

Various formulas for currents with arbitrary spin are worked out in general space-time dimension, in the free field limit and, at the bare level, in presence of interactions. As the n-dimensional generalization of the (conformal) vector field, the (n/2-1)-form is used. The two-point functions and the higher-spin central charges are evaluated at one loop. As an application, the higher-spin hierarchies generated by the stress-tensor operator-product expansion are computed in supersymmetric theories. The results exhibit an interesting universality.Comment: 19 pages. Introductory paragraph, misprint corrected and updated references. CQG in pres

Higher-Spin Theory and Space-Time Metamorphoses

Introductory lectures on higher-spin gauge theory given at 7 Aegean workshop on non-Einstein theories of gravity. The emphasis is on qualitative features of the higher-spin gauge theory and peculiarities of its space-time interpretation. In particular, it is explained that Riemannian geometry cannot play a fundamental role in the higher-spin gauge theory. The higher-spin symmetries are argued to occur at ultra high energy scales beyond the Planck scale. This suggests that the higher-spin gauge theory can help to understand Quantum Gravity. Various types of higher-spin dualities are briefly discussed.Comment: 37 pages, no figures; V2: references adde

Geometry and dynamics of higher-spin frame fields

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.Comment: 30 pages, uses youngtab.sty, v2: minor changes, references adde