On higher derivatives in 3D gravity and higher-spin gauge theories

Journal Article · Sat May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Annals of Physics (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2009.12.010· OSTI ID:21336129

Hohm, Olaf ^[1]

---

1. Centre for Theoretical Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 (United States)

The general second-order massive field equations for arbitrary positive integer spin in three spacetime dimensions, and their 'self-dual' limit to first-order equations, are shown to be equivalent to gauge-invariant higher-derivative field equations. We recover most known equivalences for spins 1 and 2, and find some new ones. In particular, we find a non-unitary massive 3D gravity theory with a 5th order term obtained by contraction of the Ricci and Cotton tensors; this term is part of an N=2 super-invariant that includes the 'extended Chern-Simons' term of 3D electrodynamics. We also find a new unitary 6th order gauge theory for 'self-dual' spin 3.

• OSTI ID: 21336129
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York), Vol. 325, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.aop.2009.12.010; PII: S0003-4916(10)00019-9; Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-4916
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
FIELD EQUATIONS
GAUGE INVARIANCE
GRAVITATION
SPACE-TIME
SPIN
TENSORS