Addendum: A note on spin two fields in curved backgrounds (2007 Class. Quantum Grav. 24 1683)

Journal Article · 13 April 2022 · Classical and Quantum Gravity

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/ac6057 · OSTI ID:1866504

Deser, S.; Henneaux, M.

Abstract Some time ago, we showed that a weak (linear) massless spin two wave could only propagate on a Ricci-flat or Ricci-constant background: it must necessarily be a perturbation of general relativity. This was just the continuation of the higher spin chain: massless s = 3/2 also required Ricci-flatness (which is the basis of supergravity) while s > 2 needs Riemann flatness. This note, entitled ‘higher spin m ≠ 0 excitations on curved backgrounds and cosmological supergravity’, re-analyzes the problem in a perhaps more physical way: by considering massless and—only apparently—massive small excitations and showing how their parameters relate to the cosmological constant. We will thus prove, in a simple physical way, the necessity, as well as the sufficiency, of the known supergravity results.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0011632
• OSTI ID: 1866504
• Journal Information: Classical and Quantum Gravity, Journal Name: Classical and Quantum Gravity Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 39; ISSN 0264-9381
• Publisher: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English