Spin-2 field theories and the tensor-field identity

Abstract

In this paper the field theories of Ogivetsky and Polubarinov for universally coupled massive tensor fields are studied. It is shown that, for a one-parameter family of Lagrangians describing the universal interaction of massive tensor fields, the field equation for the tensor field can be put in a form which gives a relation between the total energy-momentum tensor and the tensor field of the type of field-current identity of hadron electrodynamics. A field equation of this structure has been studied by Isham, Salam and Strathdee in formulating a model for the tensor dominance of gravity. The tensor field in interaction in this class of field theories describes in general a mixture of spin 2 and spin 0 of nonequivalent mass. This class contains one particular solution in which the tensor field is of pure spin 2. The structure of this particular solution should allow one to fix the direct tensor-meson-graviton coupling in constructing a physical field theory of tensor dominance of gravity.