A note on W_{2,s} strings

Abstract

BRST operators for two-dimensional theories with spin-2 and spin-$s$ currents, generalising the $W_3$ BRST operator of Thierry-Mieg, have previously been obtained. The construction was based on demanding nilpotence of the BRST operators, making no reference to whether or not an underlying $W$ algebra exists. In this paper, we analyse the known cases ($s=3$, 4, 5 and 6), showing that the two $s=4$ BRST operators are associated with the $W{B}_2$ algebra, and that two of the four $s=6$ BRST operators are associated with the $W{G}_2$ algebra. We discuss the cohomology of all the known higher-spin BRST operators, the Weyl symmetry of their physical states, and their relation with certain minimal models. We also obtain the BRST operator for the case $s=7$.

12 pages, CTP TAMU-8/94, LZU-TH-94/02

References in corpus (2)

• On the Spectrum and Scattering of W_3 Strings
• Higher-spin strings and W minimal models

Cited by in corpus (9)

• Spinor Field Realizations of Non-critical $W_{2,s}$ Strings
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• New Spinor Field Realizations of the Non-Critical $W_3$ String
• Spinor field realizations of the non-critical $W_{2,4}$ string based on the linear $W_{1,2,4}$ algebra
• BRST Operators for Higher-spin Algebras
• Spinor Field Realizations of the half-integer $W_{2,s}$ Strings
• Physical States and BRST Operators for Higher-spin $W$ Strings
• A BRST charge for non-critical $\W_{2,s}$ strings
• Explicit field realizations of W algebras