On Topologically Massive Spin-2 Gauge Theories beyond Three Dimensions


Abstract in English

We investigate in which sense, at the linearized level, one can extend the 3D topologically massive gravity theory beyond three dimensions. We show that, for each k=1,2,3... a free topologically massive gauge theory in 4k-1 dimensions can be defined describing a massive spin-2 particle provided one uses a non-standard representation of the massive spin-2 state which makes use of a two-column Young tableau where each column is of height 2k-1. We work out the case of k=2, i.e. 7D, and show, by canonical analysis, that the model describes, unitarily, 35 massive spin-2 degrees of freedom. The issue of interactions is discussed and compared with the three-dimensional situation.

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