Unitarity in three-dimensional flat space higher spin theories

Mar 20, 2014
37 pages
Published in:
  • JHEP 07 (2014) 015
  • Published: 2014
e-Print:
Report number:
  • TUW-14-05

Citations per year

201420162018202020220123456
Abstract: (Springer)
We investigate generic flat-space higher spin theories in three dimensions and find a no-go result, given certain assumptions that we spell out. Namely, it is only possible to have at most two out of the following three properties: unitarity, flat space, non-trivial higher spin states. Interestingly, unitarity provides an (algebra-dependent) upper bound on the central charge, like c = 42 for the Galilean W 4 2 − 1 − 1 algebra. We extend this no-go result to rule out unitary “multi-graviton” theories in flat space. We also provide an example circumventing the no-go result: Vasiliev-type flat space higher spin theory based on hs(1) can be unitary and simultaneously allow for non-trivial higher-spin states in the dual field theory.
Note:
  • 34 pp, v2: added two paragraphs in section 5.3 + minor changes
  • Higher Spin Gravity
  • Higher Spin Symmetry
  • Chern-Simons Theories
  • Conformal and W Symmetry
  • spin: high
  • dimension: 3
  • unitarity
  • central charge
  • duality
  • Galilei