Reaching out a "geometrical" description for spin-4 self-dual models in $D=2+1$

TL;DR

This paper develops a sequence of self-dual models for spin-4 particles in 2+1 dimensions, using a geometric operator approach to simplify and unify their descriptions across different derivative orders.

Contribution

It introduces a new geometrical framework for describing spin-4 self-dual models, extending the chain of models to higher derivatives with a unified notation.

Findings

Established a sequence of four interconnected self-dual models for spin-4.

Demonstrated the simplification of models using a self-adjoint operator notation.

Converted third-order models into a geometric description with symmetric double traceless fields.

Abstract

Starting with a first order in derivatives self-dual model which describes a massive spin-4 mode in $D=2+1$ dimensions, we have obtained a sequence of three more new descriptions, which then give us an interconnected self-dual chain $SD(i)$ with $i=1,2,3,4$ indicating the order in derivatives. We have demonstrated that a powerful notation in terms of a self-adjoint operator $\Omega$ in the frame-like scenario truly simplifies the investigation for new models and at the third order level can be converted to a geometrical description in terms of the much more usual totally symmetric double traceless field.