Finite actions and asymptotic charges at null infinity for any spin

TL;DR

This paper studies boundary terms and asymptotic symmetries at null infinity for massless fields of any spin across various spacetime dimensions, focusing on their renormalization and boundary conditions.

Contribution

It introduces boundary terms that renormalize the on-shell actions for arbitrary spin fields and explores supertranslation-like asymptotic symmetries at null infinity.

Findings

Boundary terms for massless fields of arbitrary spin are identified.

Boundary conditions allowing supertranslation-like symmetries are established.

Comments on the renormalization of asymptotic charges are provided.

Abstract

We identify boundary terms renormalizing the free on-shell actions for massless fields of arbitrary spin, including electromagnetism and linearized gravity, with boundary conditions allowing for supertranslation-like asymptotic symmetries. Our focus is on null infinity, in any spacetime dimensions. We also comment on the renormalization of the corresponding asymptotic charges.