String Theory and the Velo–Zwanziger problem

Abstract

We examine the behavior of the leading Regge trajectory of the open bosonic string in a uniform electromagnetic background and present a consistent set of Fierz–Pauli conditions for these symmetric tensors that generalizes the Argyres–Nappi spin-2 result. These equations indicate that String Theory does bypass the Velo–Zwanziger problem, i.e. the loss of causality experienced by a massive high-spin field minimally coupled to electromagnetism. Moreover, we provide some evidence that only the first Regge trajectory can be described in isolation and show that the open-string spectrum is free of ghosts in weak constant backgrounds. Finally, we comment on the roles of the critical dimension and of the gyromagnetic ratio.