Higher spin theory in 3-dimensional flat space

TL;DR

This paper introduces the first non-trivial higher spin theory in 3D flat space, establishing boundary conditions, analyzing asymptotic symmetries, and exploring cosmological solutions.

Contribution

It presents a novel higher spin theory in 3D flat space with consistent boundary conditions and a detailed asymptotic symmetry algebra.

Findings

Asymptotic symmetry algebra is a higher spin extension of BMS algebra

Boundary conditions are consistent for the proposed theory

Higher spin flat space cosmology solutions are discussed

Abstract

We present the first example of a non-trivial higher spin theory in 3-dimensional flat space. We propose flat-space boundary conditions and prove their consistency for this theory. We find that the asymptotic symmetry algebra is a (centrally extended) higher spin generalization of the Bondi- Metzner-Sachs algebra, which we describe in detail. We also address higher spin analogues of flat space cosmology solutions and possible generalizations.