Generalised conformal higher-spin fields in curved backgrounds

Abstract

The problem of constructing gauge-invariant actions for conformal higher-spin fields in curved backgrounds is known to be notoriously difficult. In this paper we present gauge-invariant models for conformal maximal depth fields with spin $s=5/2$ and $s=3$ in four-dimensional Bach-flat backgrounds. We find that certain lower-spin fields must be introduced to ensure gauge invariance when $s>2$, which is analogous to a conjecture made earlier in the literature for conformal higher-spin fields of minimal depth.

20 pages; v2: comments and references added; v3: published version