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Massimo Taronna

Publications and source records attributed to Massimo Taronna.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2014

Cubic-interaction-induced deformations of higher-spin symmetries

The deformations of higher-spin symmetries induced by cubic interactions of symmetric massless bosonic fields are analyzed within the metric-like formalism. Our analysis amends the existing classification according to gauge-algebra deformations taking into account also gauge-transformation deformations. In particular, we identify a class of couplings which leave the gauge algebra Abelian but deform one (out of three) gauge transformation, and another class of couplings which deform all three gauge transformations in (A)dS but only two in the flat-space limit. The former class is related to higher-spin algebra multiplets (representations of the global algebra) together with the massless-massive-massive couplings, which we also briefly discuss. The latter class is what makes (A)dS a distinguished background for higher-spin interactions and includes in particular the gravitational interactions of higher-spin fields, retrospectively accounting for the Fradkin-Vasiliev solution to the Aragon-Deser problem. We also study the restriction of gauge symmetries to global symmetries (higher-spin algebra) discussing the invariant bilinear form and the cyclicity of the structure constants. A possible generalization of the analysis to partially-massless fields is also commented.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

On the uniqueness of higher-spin symmetries in AdS and CFT

We study the uniqueness of higher-spin algebras which are at the core of higher-spin theories in AdS and of CFTs with exact higher-spin symmetry, i.e. conserved tensors of rank greater than two. The Jacobi identity for the gauge algebra is the simplest consistency test that appears at the quartic order for a gauge theory. Similarly, the algebra of charges in a CFT must also obey the Jacobi identity. These algebras are essentially the same. Solving the Jacobi identity under some simplifying assumptions spelled out, we obtain that the Eastwood-Vasiliev algebra is the unique solution for d=4 and d>6. In 5d there is a one-parameter family of algebras that was known before. In particular, we show that the introduction of a single higher-spin gauge field/current automatically requires the infinite tower of higher-spin gauge fields/currents. The result implies that from all the admissible non-Abelian cubic vertices in AdS(d), that have been recently classified for totally symmetric higher-spin gauge fields, only one vertex can pass the Jacobi consistency test. This cubic vertex is associated with a gauge deformation that is the germ of the Eastwood-Vasiliev's higher-spin algebra.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

A Calculus for Higher Spin Interactions

Higher spin theories can be efficiently described in terms of auxiliary Stückelberg or projective space field multiplets. By considering how higher spin models couple to scale, these approaches can be unified in a conformal geometry/tractor calculus framework. We review these methods and apply them to higher spin vertices to obtain a generating function for massless, massive and partially massless three-point interactions.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Generating functions of (partially-)massless higher-spin cubic interactions

Generating functions encoding cubic interactions of (partially-)massless higher-spin fields are provided within the ambient-space formalism. They satisfy a system of higher-order partial differential equations that can be explicitly solved due to their factorized form. We find that the number of consistent couplings increases whenever the squares of the field masses take some integer values (in units of the cosmological constant) and satisfy certain conditions. Moreover, it is shown that only the supplemental solutions can give rise to non-Abelian deformations of the gauge symmetries. The presence of these conditions on the masses is a distinctive feature of (A)dS interactions that has in general no direct counterpart in flat space.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Higher-Spin Interactions: three-point functions and beyond

This Thesis reviews some recent developments about higher-spin interactions in flat and constant curvature backgrounds. Particular attention is given to the ambient-space formulation of the problem, both at the cubic and at the quartic order, with some emphasis on the structure of the solution to the Noether procedure that can be expressed in terms of powers of the standard Yang Mills amplitudes. We also highlight how some aspects of String Theory appear to reflect key properties of Field Theory that go beyond its low energy limit.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

On the cubic interactions of massive and partially-massless higher spins in (A)dS

Cubic interactions of massive and partially-massless totally-symmetric higher-spin fields in any constant-curvature background of dimension greater than three are investigated. Making use of the ambient-space formalism, the consistency condition for the traceless and transverse parts of the parity-invariant interactions is recast into a system of partial differential equations. The latter can be explicitly solved for given s_1-s_2-s_3 couplings and the 2-2-2 and 3-3-2 examples are provided in detail for general choices of the masses. On the other hand, the general solutions for the interactions involving massive and massless fields are expressed in a compact form as generating functions of all the consistent couplings. The Stückelberg formulation of the cubic interactions as well as their massless limits are also analyzed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2010

Higher Spins and String Interactions

In this Thesis we address the issue of consistent higher-spin interactions taking String Theory as a "theoretical laboratory". We thus arrive at a simple expression encompassing all three-point amplitudes for states belonging to the first Regge trajectory of the open bosonic string, that are described by fully symmetric tensors, and we explicitly construct the corresponding effective action at the cubic level. A gauge invariant structure is seen to emerge in the massless limit, in line with long-held expectations for high-energy string scattering. We also study some properties of the field theory amplitudes that arise from our effective Lagrangian and involve the exchange of infinitely many higher-spin excitations. These results and other related developments will soon appear in a joint publication with A. Sagnotti

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