Non-local conformal symmetry in Fronsdal theory

TL;DR

This paper introduces a conformally invariant first-order action for higher-spin fields, establishing a novel symmetry structure in Fronsdal theory that extends standard conformal transformations.

Contribution

It constructs a first-order, conformally invariant formulation of higher-spin fields and maps these symmetries to Fronsdal theory, revealing new non-standard conformal symmetries.

Findings

First-order action exhibits conformal invariance.

Symmetries in Fronsdal theory form the conformal algebra.

New non-standard conformal transformations are identified.

Abstract

We write a first order action for higher-spin fields and construct a canonical map to Fronsdal theory. The first-order description is defined over complex field configurations and has conformal invariance. We show that it is possible to push forward these transformations to a set of symmetries in Fronsdal theory that satisfies the conformal algebra but is not given by standard conformal change of coordinates.