BRST approach to interacting higher-spin gauge fields

Abstract

A comprehensive approach to the problem of constructing a consistent classical field theory of interacting higher-spin gauge fields is presented. BRST techniques are used similar to those used in covariant string field theory. A part of the cubic vertex is derived and shown to reproduce the cubic Yang-Mills interaction. Further progress is halted by a lack of an effective way to calculate the full vertex. There are indications that the theory, as presented, might only be consistent in four spacetime dimensions.